Ecojustice is a 4-star rated charity that is financially transparent. It has an above average results reporting score of B+. Its overhead costs fall within Ci’s reasonable range. Its reserve funds can cover one year of program costs. 

Founded in 1991, Ecojustice Canada Society (ECS) is a legal advocacy charity that argues for environmental protection and climate change regulation. Ecojustice represents citizens, organizations, and businesses, among others, in court. The charity is based out of Vancouver, with regional offices in Calgary, Toronto, Ottawa, and Halifax. To date, it has recorded 60 legal victories, 28 cases in progress, and two under appeal.  

Ecojustice divides its advocacy into three main programs: Climate, Healthy Communities, and Nature. It did not provide a program spending breakdown in F2023.  

Its Climate Change program advocates for regulation of pollution and emissions. ECS reports that emissions from buildings are approximately 10% of B.C.’s climate footprint, rising to more than 50% of emissions in big cities. It also reports that about 15,000 Canadians die prematurely from air pollution every year. In 2023, Ecojustice called for a federal investigation into the Royal Bank of Canada’s greenwashing. 

Its Healthy Communities program protects human health and communities. In 2023, Ecojustice helped pass legislation reforming the Canadian Environmental Protections Act (CEPA). The Act had not been updated in over 20 years. The reform imposes controls on toxic substances and chemicals. It also recognizes the right to a healthy environment under federal law. 

Its Nature program protects wildlife and natural environments. The charity is working to prevent the expansion of a shipping port terminal in British Columbia’s Fraser River. The terminal would threaten local Chinook salmon and killer whales. The case is currently under appeal. 

Ecojustice received $9.9m in Canadian donations and $1.1m in international donations in F2023. Administrative costs were 10% of revenues. Fundraising costs were 22% of donations. Total overhead spending was 32%. For every dollar donated, 68 cents are available to go to the cause. This is within Ci’s reasonable range for spending. 

Ecojustice has reserve funds of $8.2m which can cover one year of annual program costs. 

According to its filing with the CRA, Ecojustice used external fundraisers in F2023. It paid a total of $117k to external fundraisers during the year. Ecojustice does not report how much these agencies raised.  

Charity Intelligence has sent this update to Ecojustice for review. Changes and edits may be forthcoming.

Updated on June 4, 2024 by Stellar Zhang.