Simon Fraser University
Engaging the World

Course Outlines

Spring 2025 - REM 319 D100

Environmental and Planning Law (3)

Class Number: 6064

Delivery Method: In Person

Overview

  • Course Times + Location:

    Jan 6 – Apr 9, 2025: Wed, 9:30 a.m.–12:20 p.m.
    Burnaby

  • Exam Times + Location:

    Apr 12, 2025
    Sat, 7:00–10:00 p.m.
    Burnaby

  • Prerequisites:

    45 units.

Description

CALENDAR DESCRIPTION:

Provides a practical introduction to the legal system governing the use and protection of the environment and planning and land use law in Canada. A central theme is the difference between the law on paper and the law in practice. Students who have taken ENV 399-3 "Special Topics in Environmental Law" in 2012 may not take this course for further credit. Students with credit for ENV 319 or PLAN 319 may not take this course for further credit.

COURSE DETAILS:

This course is a participatory introduction to Canadian environmental and planning law.  Students will leave the course understanding how Canada’s legal system works in key areas such as Aboriginal-Indigenous Rights, Constitutional and International law and relating to key components of the environment such as biodiversity and climate. 

Reflecting that laws and their application are shaped by debate, classes will include student debates – students briefly debating on key environmental/legal issues.   

This syllabus describes the learning objectives; assignments/marking rubric; final exam; lecture and readings descriptions; and debate topics and teams. 

COURSE-LEVEL EDUCATIONAL GOALS:

After completing this class, you will understand at a high level: 

  • the role and jurisdiction of Canada’s governments, including Indigenous governments, in creating, applying and enforcing/complying with environmental law; 
  • how Canada’s legal system works including a basic understanding of Canada’s courts; 
  • Canada’s key environment and planning laws and the key issues surrounding their application in the most relevant environmental contexts; and, 
  • the possible evolution of environmental and planning law. 

Grading

  • Participation 20%
  • Assignments 30%
  • Final Exam 50%

Materials

REQUIRED READING NOTES:

Your personalized Course Material list, including digital and physical textbooks, are available through the SFU Bookstore website by simply entering your Computing ID at: shop.sfu.ca/course-materials/my-personalized-course-materials.

Registrar Notes:

ACADEMIC INTEGRITY: YOUR WORK, YOUR SUCCESS

SFU’s Academic Integrity website http://www.sfu.ca/students/academicintegrity.html is filled with information on what is meant by academic dishonesty, where you can find resources to help with your studies and the consequences of cheating. Check out the site for more information and videos that help explain the issues in plain English.

Each student is responsible for his or her conduct as it affects the university community. Academic dishonesty, in whatever form, is ultimately destructive of the values of the university. Furthermore, it is unfair and discouraging to the majority of students who pursue their studies honestly. Scholarly integrity is required of all members of the university. http://www.sfu.ca/policies/gazette/student/s10-01.html

RELIGIOUS ACCOMMODATION

Students with a faith background who may need accommodations during the term are encouraged to assess their needs as soon as possible and review the Multifaith religious accommodations website. The page outlines ways they begin working toward an accommodation and ensure solutions can be reached in a timely fashion.