Calgary

Case Study: Digging into Environmental Law, Regulations, and Enforcement in Land (Re) Development!

Our firm’s environmental lawyers help our clients (re)develop land in various contexts. This work gives rise to a range of environmental law issues that our lawyers assist to resolve along with essential technical input from environmental consultants and contractors.
Common issues include:

1. Contamination in soil, groundwater, and vapour;
2. Hazardous materials and designated substances;
3. Flood zones protection including top-of-slope and tree driplines;
4. Species-at-risk;
5. Excess soil; and
6. Environmental enforcement.

The objective of this legal case study is to better equip conference attendees to spot issues that may give rise to concern when working on construction and land (re)development projects including when carrying out environmental investigations, excavations, and remediation. Our lawyers will canvass these issues at a high-level and with the objective of making attendees more aware of the complex web of environmental-related issues and laws when encountered in projects.

nhancing Heavy Metal Removal using Novel Media Solutions

This presentation introduces advanced treatment methodologies for the removal of heavy metals, specifically focusing on arsenic, lead, uranium and mercury. These metals, commonly encountered in Canada’s heavy industrial sectors like oil&gas and mining, present considerable environmental challenges and have high toxicity at low concentration when found in industrial waste water, groundwater aquifer and soils.

Capabilities of the Cleanit media, a novel iron based media that efficiently removes lead and arsenic via adsorption and precipitation processes will be presented. The effectiveness of Cleanit-LC in removing toxic heavy metals to meet ultra-low discharge limits was demonstrated, showcasing its potential to significantly reduce environmental impact without altering pH levels, thus promoting cleaner industrial practices at a much lower cost than specialized ion exchange resin.

The second part will cover the ChemSorb ML, an innovative and versatile amendment for mercury removal. ChemSorb ML chemically binds various forms of mercury—including elemental, ionic, and methylmercury—achieving reductions of leachable mercury by over 99% and lowering concentrations to parts-per-trillion levels, making it an effective solution for stringent compliance requirements.

The document concludes with case studies presentation and performance data that illustrate the practical applications and benefits of these media in real-world scenarios, underscoring their effectiveness in reducing operational costs and enhancing compliance with environmental regulations.

Overview of CSAP Document: Groundwater Plume Stability Assessment Methods

This presentation will be an overview of the CSAP (Society of Contaminated Sites Approved Professionals of British Columbia) document Groundwater Plume Stability Assessment Methods. The presentation will include detailed examples illustrative of the content of the document located here. The following is a description of the CSAP document. 

Plume trend analysis can be a component of a screening level risk assessment or a detailed human health and ecological risk assessment in accordance with the framework established by the British Columbia (BC) Contaminated Sites Regulation (BC Reg. 375/96). In accordance with the regulation, practitioners must demonstrate that groundwater contaminant plumes are stable or decreasing before proceeding with risk assessment. Plume stability and trend analysis may also be a component of a performance verification plan associated with a Certificate of Compliance.

The purpose of the review document was to provide practitioners with a summary of various plume stability assessment techniques, considerations for conducting a plume stability assessment and examples of plume stability applications. The intended audience for this document is the CSAP Society and contaminated sites practitioners.

In addition to presenting an overview of data considerations and methods for plume stability analysis, two case studies for whole plume stability analysis from the above referenced document will be presented. The first case study is a petroleum hydrocarbon site impacted primarily by benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene, and xylenes (BTEX). The second case study is a chlorinated solvent site impacted primarily by chlorinated ethenes.

Design Considerations and Implementation Techniques for In Situ PFAS Sequestration Using Modified Clay

Traditional in situ PFAS treatment has relied heavily on colloidal activated carbon (CAC) and pump-and-treat systems, but CAC often struggles to capture the full PFAS mass due to limited sorption capacity, mobility constraints, and distribution challenges in certain soils. These limitations can hinder effective permeable reactive barrier (PRB) performance. Recent pilot programs have demonstrated that a modified clay (MC) — FluoroSorb®, an organically modified bentonite — can be injected into overburden to effectively sequester PFAS, offering higher sorption capacity and stability within the subsurface.

Independent testing has shown the MC to exhibit strong sorption kinetics and capacity across a wide PFAS concentration range, with compatibility alongside other remedial amendments. Bench-scale evaluations compared performance against ion exchange resin, granular activated carbon, and biochar, and also assessed competitive sorption in the presence of chlorinated VOCs and petroleum hydrocarbons. Relevant kinetics and co-contaminant performance data will be presented.

Field deployments in both the U.S. and Canada verified injectability and distribution of MC for source-area treatment and PFAS plume interception using direct-push injection. Multiple slurry densities were evaluated to match amendment mass to PFAS loading, including co-injection with calcium polysulfide for simultaneous PFAS and hexavalent chromium treatment. A Canadian PRB installation has been monitored for more than a year under continued upgradient PFAS loading, with groundwater results and dye-assisted soil coring confirming amendment distribution, sequestration performance, and durability in situ.

Environmental Remediation and Decommissioning Projects in Northern Canada: How Collaboration Leads to Closure

This presentation highlights the successful delivery of two complex remediation and decommissioning projects in Nunavut, showcasing how early collaboration, adaptive planning, and structured communication are critical to navigating logistical, regulatory, and environmental challenges in northern environments. Both projects relied on coordinated efforts among federal agencies, Indigenous and northern communities, consultants, and regulators to achieve closure.

Cambridge Bay Airport Remediation:

Transport Canada, in partnership with PSPC and Nunami Stantec, managed petroleum-impacted soils at the Cambridge Bay Airport through construction and operation of an 8,000 m² land-treatment unit. While cell operations decreased PHC concentrations, they were variable when compared to remedial end points. This made timely achievement of remediation goals challenging. A collaborative, risk-based approach ensured project continuity: a preliminary human health and ecological risk assessment confirmed remaining concentrations did not pose unacceptable risk, allowing the treated soil to be removed, the LTU to be decommissioned, and the project to transition to post-closure monitoring.

McConnell River Migratory Bird Sanctuary (MBS) Decommissioning:

At the remote McConnell River MBS, ECCC, PSPC, and Nunami Stantec oversaw removal of deteriorated infrastructure and fuel hazards while protecting sensitive ecological and cultural values. The team conducted comprehensive human health, ecological, archaeological, and wildlife risk assessments and paired the technical work with proactive local engagement — including public information sessions, council meetings, and local training and employment opportunities.

Across both projects, structured collaboration — frequent touchpoints, clear schedules, and open communication channels — proved fundamental.

These projects demonstrate that in northern Canada, successful closure requires not only technical excellence but strong partnerships, cultural awareness and engagement, and flexible problem-solving. With coordinated planning and community-centered execution, complex northern remediation programs can achieve regulatory compliance and deliver lasting environmental and social benefits.

Environmental Remediation and Decommissioning Projects in Northern Canada: How Collaboration Leads to Closure

This presentation highlights the successful delivery of two complex remediation and decommissioning projects in Nunavut, showcasing how early collaboration, adaptive planning, and structured communication are critical to navigating logistical, regulatory, and environmental challenges in northern environments. Both projects relied on coordinated efforts among federal agencies, Indigenous and northern communities, consultants, and regulators to achieve closure.

Cambridge Bay Airport Remediation:

Transport Canada, in partnership with PSPC and Nunami Stantec, managed petroleum-impacted soils at the Cambridge Bay Airport through construction and operation of an 8,000 m² land-treatment unit. While cell operations decreased PHC concentrations, they were variable when compared to remedial end points. This made timely achievement of remediation goals challenging. A collaborative, risk-based approach ensured project continuity: a preliminary human health and ecological risk assessment confirmed remaining concentrations did not pose unacceptable risk, allowing the treated soil to be removed, the LTU to be decommissioned, and the project to transition to post-closure monitoring.

McConnell River Migratory Bird Sanctuary (MBS) Decommissioning:

At the remote McConnell River MBS, ECCC, PSPC, and Nunami Stantec oversaw removal of deteriorated infrastructure and fuel hazards while protecting sensitive ecological and cultural values. The team conducted comprehensive human health, ecological, archaeological, and wildlife risk assessments and paired the technical work with proactive local engagement — including public information sessions, council meetings, and local training and employment opportunities.

Across both projects, structured collaboration — frequent touchpoints, clear schedules, and open communication channels — proved fundamental.

These projects demonstrate that in northern Canada, successful closure requires not only technical excellence but strong partnerships, cultural awareness and engagement, and flexible problem-solving. With coordinated planning and community-centered execution, complex northern remediation programs can achieve regulatory compliance and deliver lasting environmental and social benefits.

The Roller Coaster Ride of Unexpected: How We Investigate, Prepare, and Adapt

A real-world case study where an unforeseen technical challenge (“nightmare”) jeopardizes a mixed-use commercial-residential development. Despite thorough due diligence, a surprise emerged, requiring immediate disclosure to the client. The case will explore how stakeholders (client, lenders, JV partners) responded, and how the team worked to resolve the issue, protect the project, and preserve key relationships.

This case study follows a major mixed-use redevelopment in mid-town Toronto where extensive due diligence and pre-construction investigation suggested contamination risks were well understood and confined above the planned underground parking depths. With numerous historic assessments — including drilling constraints beneath former buildings — all available data indicated impacts would be fully removed during excavation, allowing a clean Record of Site Condition (RSC) to be achieved within the development schedule.

After excavation and removal of all known impacts, confirmatory testing indicated soil met Table 3 Standards; however, cis-1,2-DCE unexpectedly appeared in deeper groundwater near a former dry cleaner location. This unforeseen finding threatened both the RSC timeline and project delivery, requiring immediate communication with the client and stakeholders, and rapid reassessment of the remediation strategy.

Two options emerged — active remediation during construction, or a risk-based pathway. Given construction constraints and strict occupancy deadlines, the team pivoted to pursue a Modified Generic Risk Assessment (MGRA) while simultaneously preparing Tier 3 contingency work, ensuring the ability to shift quickly depending on MECP direction.

The project highlights the importance of planning for uncertainty, clear client communication, and maintaining parallel technical pathways when contamination emerges late in the process. Through proactive engagement with regulators and flexible strategy development, the goal remains unchanged: secure an RSC in time for occupancy, preserve stakeholder confidence, and deliver a successful redevelopment despite the unexpected.

The Roller Coaster Ride of Unexpected: How We Investigate, Prepare, and Adapt

A real-world case study where an unforeseen technical challenge (“nightmare”) jeopardizes a mixed-use commercial-residential development. Despite thorough due diligence, a surprise emerged, requiring immediate disclosure to the client. The case will explore how stakeholders (client, lenders, JV partners) responded, and how the team worked to resolve the issue, protect the project, and preserve key relationships.

This case study follows a major mixed-use redevelopment in mid-town Toronto where extensive due diligence and pre-construction investigation suggested contamination risks were well understood and confined above the planned underground parking depths. With numerous historic assessments — including drilling constraints beneath former buildings — all available data indicated impacts would be fully removed during excavation, allowing a clean Record of Site Condition (RSC) to be achieved within the development schedule.

After excavation and removal of all known impacts, confirmatory testing indicated soil met Table 3 Standards; however, cis-1,2-DCE unexpectedly appeared in deeper groundwater near a former dry cleaner location. This unforeseen finding threatened both the RSC timeline and project delivery, requiring immediate communication with the client and stakeholders, and rapid reassessment of the remediation strategy.

Two options emerged — active remediation during construction, or a risk-based pathway. Given construction constraints and strict occupancy deadlines, the team pivoted to pursue a Modified Generic Risk Assessment (MGRA) while simultaneously preparing Tier 3 contingency work, ensuring the ability to shift quickly depending on MECP direction.

The project highlights the importance of planning for uncertainty, clear client communication, and maintaining parallel technical pathways when contamination emerges late in the process. Through proactive engagement with regulators and flexible strategy development, the goal remains unchanged: secure an RSC in time for occupancy, preserve stakeholder confidence, and deliver a successful redevelopment despite the unexpected.

Smarter Site Strategy: Leveraging AI to Optimize Environmental Risk Assessment and Remediation

Urban contaminated sites present some of the most complex risk profiles for environmental professionals, particularly those in legacy industrial zones and high-value real estate corridors. These projects often involve overlapping regulatory requirements, evolving land use expectations, and tight stakeholder timelines. For environmental consultants, the key challenge is navigating these layers while delivering assessment and remediation strategies that are scientifically defensible, cost-effective, and aligned with future land use.

This session explores how artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) are being used to complement and enhance environmental consulting practice, not replace it. Drawing on real-world case studies, we’ll demonstrate how AI-enabled tools are helping our consultants:
• Deliver site-specific risk assessments earlier in the project life cycle
• Predict contaminant fate and transport with greater precision
• Evaluate exposure pathways and link them to practical remediation endpoints
• Distinguish between real environmental risk and unnecessary over-remediation
• Better align cleanup scope with both regulatory drivers and land-use planning

We’ll also discuss the use of geospatial data integration, historical land use analytics and automated modeling to accelerate site characterization and conceptual site model building, reduce analytical uncertainty, and communicate findings more clearly to stakeholders.

Far from being a “black box,” these technologies offer transparency, repeatability, and efficiency that support consultants in preparing more robust remedial action plans, improving stakeholder engagement, and strengthening the technical basis for regulatory submissions.

Whether you’re involved in brownfield redevelopment, managing legacy energy infrastructure, or advising clients on contaminated land portfolios, this session will provide actionable insights into how AI and ML can become trusted, field-ready extensions of your environmental toolbox.

Smarter Site Strategy: Leveraging AI to Optimize Environmental Risk Assessment and Remediation

Urban contaminated sites present some of the most complex risk profiles for environmental professionals, particularly those in legacy industrial zones and high-value real estate corridors. These projects often involve overlapping regulatory requirements, evolving land use expectations, and tight stakeholder timelines. For environmental consultants, the key challenge is navigating these layers while delivering assessment and remediation strategies that are scientifically defensible, cost-effective, and aligned with future land use.

This session explores how artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) are being used to complement and enhance environmental consulting practice, not replace it. Drawing on real-world case studies, we’ll demonstrate how AI-enabled tools are helping our consultants:
• Deliver site-specific risk assessments earlier in the project life cycle
• Predict contaminant fate and transport with greater precision
• Evaluate exposure pathways and link them to practical remediation endpoints
• Distinguish between real environmental risk and unnecessary over-remediation
• Better align cleanup scope with both regulatory drivers and land-use planning

We’ll also discuss the use of geospatial data integration, historical land use analytics and automated modeling to accelerate site characterization and conceptual site model building, reduce analytical uncertainty, and communicate findings more clearly to stakeholders.

Far from being a “black box,” these technologies offer transparency, repeatability, and efficiency that support consultants in preparing more robust remedial action plans, improving stakeholder engagement, and strengthening the technical basis for regulatory submissions.

Whether you’re involved in brownfield redevelopment, managing legacy energy infrastructure, or advising clients on contaminated land portfolios, this session will provide actionable insights into how AI and ML can become trusted, field-ready extensions of your environmental toolbox.

Smarter Site Strategy: Leveraging AI to Optimize Environmental Risk Assessment and Remediation

The Federal Contaminated Sites Action Plan (FCSAP) started in 2005. Its objective is to reduce risks to the environment and human health from federal contaminated sites and associated federal financial liabilities, focusing on the highest priority sites. Since 2005, the Government of Canada has approved $7.18 billion in funding for the program, including $1.48 billion in Budget 2024 for Phase V (2025 to 2030).

FCSAP helps federal departments, agencies, and consolidated Crown corporations (together called custodians) that are responsible for federal contaminated sites to assess, remediate or put in place measures to reduce risks. These actions reduce risks to the environment and to human health. The cost of managing the sites is shared between FCSAP and the custodians.

The focus of FCSAP has changed over time to increase the effectiveness of the program and support government priorities. The program supports several government priorities including building safer, healthier communities, advancing reconciliation with Indigenous Peoples, mitigating the impacts of climate change, and responsible fiscal management.

In FCSAP Phase V (2025 to 2030), custodians will continue to address the highest risk sites, as well of other sites in areas where Indigenous Peoples, racialized, and low-income Canadians live. In Phase IV (2019-2024), the program eligibility expanded to allow more sites to be addressed that may impact Indigenous Peoples living on reserves or in Northern communities.

This presentation will be short, with an opportunity for industry to engage at the PSPC booth.

Cracking the Code of Successful Remediation: Insights from Public Programs and Private-Sector Projects

The evolution of technology, regulation, and engineering practice has expanded the range of options available for managing contaminated site liabilities. Emerging remediation technologies provide new pathways for completing cleanups, while regulatory tools such as risk management allow for alternative approaches to achieving compliance. Although the number of potential solutions has never been greater, it remains unclear whether these advances are translating into more rapid or cost-effective site closure.

Experience indicates that many projects continue to encounter unforeseen technical shortcomings, budget pressures, and limited progress toward liability reduction. While comprehensive national data for private-sector projects are lacking, the Federal FCSAP program offers a unique dataset for assessing the relative success of site closure efforts across Canada. These observations create an opportunity to investigate why certain projects navigate the process effectively while others face persistent challenges.

This presentation will explore these questions through case studies and practical lessons learned from the field on private and public projects. Although site-specific conditions vary widely, several core principles consistently influence the success of remediation and site management efforts. These include establishing clear project objectives, developing a robust Conceptual Site Model (CSM), and selecting and implementing appropriate remedial strategies. The session will highlight these principles, along with common pitfalls and opportunities for improvement, to support more effective and efficient contaminated site management.

Economic Outlook Panel

Economic Outlook Panel

Economic Outlook Panel

Economic Outlook Panel