Campaign hopes to help communities recoup costs related to climate change
Date: December 20, 2023
Complete Article: Comox Valley Record
Since the SCRD has decided to wait and see what the Capital Region District finds out (about the ability of Regional Districts to join class action lawsuits), Sunshine Coast supporters of the Sue Big Oil campaign will be watching closely to see what comes of Capital Region’s investigation.
In related news, 58 members of the University of Victoria Law community signed a letter calling on CRD to endorse the Sue Big Oil campaign. The letter was shared in the Sooke News Mirror.
Excerpt:
The Capital Regional District board on Dec. 13 voted to explore joining other B.C. communities in trying to recoup climate impact costs from “Big Oil” companies through a class-action lawsuit.
CRD staff will now look into the feasibility, merits and role of the CRD joining the proposed legal action.
There’s absolutely no question (more severe weather is) creating huge costs for individuals, businesses and taxpayers. Large companies that have benefited hugely, and continue to benefit hugely, should play a role in mitigating those costs.
Gary Holman, Capital Region director
The CRD board unanimously approved exploring the impacts of joining the lawsuit without any debate on the topic, but members of the public who attended the Dec. 13 meeting spoke in support of the move.