Simon Fraser University
Engaging the World

Course Outlines

Spring 2026 - REM 319 D100

Environmental and Planning Law (3)

Class Number: 4009

Delivery Method: In Person

Overview

  • Course Times + Location:

    Jan 5 – Apr 10, 2026: Wed, 9:30 a.m.–12:20 p.m.
    Burnaby

  • Exam Times + Location:

    Apr 15, 2026
    Wed, 8:30–11:30 a.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.

No previous legal training is required. The classes will give foundational knowledge (eg: what is a legal case, how are laws interpreted) towards understanding context, application and future direction of environmental law.

Reflecting that laws and their application are shaped by debate, each class will begin with assigned student debates – students briefly debating on a lecture topic’s key environmental/legal issue.

COURSE-LEVEL EDUCATIONAL GOALS:

After completing this class, you will understand at an introductory level:

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

Grading

  • Assignment #1 - Participate in One In-Class Debate 20%
  • Assignments #2 - Prepare Written Reflection on Debate 15%
  • Assignments #3 - Prepare Written Reflection on Debate 15%
  • Final Exam 50%

Materials

REQUIRED READING:

All required readings will be posted in Canvas. These will be legal cases, legal commentary, legislation, government policies or reports, NGO reports, and news articles.

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

At SFU, you are expected to act honestly and responsibly in all your academic work. Cheating, plagiarism, or any other form of academic dishonesty harms your own learning, undermines the efforts of your classmates who pursue their studies honestly, and goes against the core values of the university.

To learn more about the academic disciplinary process and relevant academic supports, visit: 


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.