CRIM 3320

This course introduces the fundamentals of environmental law with a focus on sustainability and environmental justice. It begins with core legal principles and explores how the Canadian Constitution structures environmental governance across federal, provincial and Indigenous jurisdictions. The course examines the role of private (civil) law in addressing environmental harm and the tools governments use to regulate and enforce environmental protection, ranging from traditional regulation to economic and non-economic instruments. Throughout, students will critically assess how legal systems can both advance and hinder environmental justice. The course concludes by exploring the impact and responsibilities of individual citizens and grassroots groups in environmental stewardship and shaping sustainable outcomes.