Ottawa

FCSAP Demand Forecast

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.

Going with the Flow (and a Little Reagent): Augmenting Natural Attenuation to Tackle a cVOC Plume

This presentation describes the challenges and outcomes of a complex, multi-year in-situ biochemical remediation program designed to address a chlorinated volatile organic compound (cVOC) groundwater plume at a site in Eastern Ontario. The plume, originating from a former landfill, had historically been managed by a pump-and-treat system. Following a 2018 remedial options analysis and a successful pilot test, this in-situ approach was selected as a more targeted method for cVOC mass reduction in the upgradient source area, in addition to phytoremediation at the downgradient end.

A primary challenge was adapting the program to the site’s physical constraints and geological conditions. The target treatment zone is a shallow aquifer, ranging from 4.6 to 6.1 meters in depth, overlying a clay aquitard. The topography is highly variable, with steep slopes and dense woods that limited equipment access. This complex terrain, combined with a necessary 15-meter buffer from an adjacent pond, required a dynamic injection design with variable point spacing and treatment depths to effectively target the main cVOC mass, which was concentrated 1.5 to 2.5 meters above the clay layer.

Field implementation presented its own set of hurdles. The initial full-scale injection was conducted in early 2020 (pre-pandemic), followed by a second event in late 2023 to maintain performance. The second program, occurring between late November and early December 2023, was hampered by weather. Low temperatures caused operational delays, affecting equipment like pumps and drill batteries. Furthermore, site topography and access concerns necessitated the removal of several planned injection points from the program, requiring the redistribution of the remedial reagent to adjacent locations to maintain the target dosage.

Despite these challenges, the program successfully achieved its mass reduction objectives. Post-injection monitoring confirmed that the biochemical treatment stimulated the desired degradation of the parent cVOCs, successfully managing the plume so that no further injections are required at this time. The presentation will conclude with the recommendation to transition the site to a combined management strategy of monitored natural attenuation and a recently implemented phytoremediation program to address the residual plume.

Going with the Flow (and a Little Reagent): Augmenting Natural Attenuation to Tackle a cVOC Plume

This presentation describes the challenges and outcomes of a complex, multi-year in-situ biochemical remediation program designed to address a chlorinated volatile organic compound (cVOC) groundwater plume at a site in Eastern Ontario. The plume, originating from a former landfill, had historically been managed by a pump-and-treat system. Following a 2018 remedial options analysis and a successful pilot test, this in-situ approach was selected as a more targeted method for cVOC mass reduction in the upgradient source area, in addition to phytoremediation at the downgradient end.

A primary challenge was adapting the program to the site’s physical constraints and geological conditions. The target treatment zone is a shallow aquifer, ranging from 4.6 to 6.1 meters in depth, overlying a clay aquitard. The topography is highly variable, with steep slopes and dense woods that limited equipment access. This complex terrain, combined with a necessary 15-meter buffer from an adjacent pond, required a dynamic injection design with variable point spacing and treatment depths to effectively target the main cVOC mass, which was concentrated 1.5 to 2.5 meters above the clay layer.

Field implementation presented its own set of hurdles. The initial full-scale injection was conducted in early 2020 (pre-pandemic), followed by a second event in late 2023 to maintain performance. The second program, occurring between late November and early December 2023, was hampered by weather. Low temperatures caused operational delays, affecting equipment like pumps and drill batteries. Furthermore, site topography and access concerns necessitated the removal of several planned injection points from the program, requiring the redistribution of the remedial reagent to adjacent locations to maintain the target dosage.

Despite these challenges, the program successfully achieved its mass reduction objectives. Post-injection monitoring confirmed that the biochemical treatment stimulated the desired degradation of the parent cVOCs, successfully managing the plume so that no further injections are required at this time. The presentation will conclude with the recommendation to transition the site to a combined management strategy of monitored natural attenuation and a recently implemented phytoremediation program to address the residual plume.

PFAS Treatment and Removal Using Specialized Coagulants for Polluted Waters and for the Decontamination of Firefighting Equipment

The process of Coagulation and precipitation approach includes the addition of a coagulant which adsorbs PFAS, employing electrostatic and hydrophobic interactions. The precipitate is collected as a sludge waste, filtered, and handled for disposal.
Project experience has shown us that concentrations of PFAS in recovered fluids resulting from fire-fighting training events, foam tests or large scale industrial or petrochemical fires can range between several 100 and 40,000 ppb.

Rather than PFOS, the te- lomer 6:2 FTS (fluoro‐telomer sulfonate) is usually a more significant compound as well as cationic and anionic surfactants, fluoro‐organic compounds (partly precursors), high concentrations of dissolved organic carbon (DOC), suspended solids, pH etc. Concentrations of these compounds can be an order of magnitude higher than the PFAS values.

The following data derives from a controlled rigorous laboratory experiment with fluids from a foam test extinguishing trial. These data are provided as an indication of PerfluorAd® performance. A diluted solution with 1% AFFF was utilised for extinguishing a simulated fire generated with crude oil. Removal efficiencies results range from 39.3% to 99.55.

Summary :
• Almost complete PFAS removal
• Suspended solids removed simultaneously
• TPH significantly reduced

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.

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.

Guidelines, Groundwater, and the Gavel: What Environmental Professionals Must Know about Recent PFAS Guidelines and Class Actions in Canada

This presentation will focus on recent government guidelines, and what environmental professionals must know about the growing number of PFAS contamination stigma class action lawsuits in Canada.

1. Government Action on PFAS in Canada is Accelerating

• August 2024: Emphasizing keeping PFAS levels “as low as reasonably achievable”, Health Canada set a Drinking Water Objective of 30 ng/L for the sum of 25 PFAS, significantly lower than Ontario’s Interim Advice of 70 ng/L for the sum of 11 PFAS, and
• March 2025: Federal Government released Final State of PFAS Report and PFAS Risk Management Approach.

2. Key Takeaways for Environmental Professionals concerning the Development of PFAS Class Action Litigation in Canada

• The landmark case of Tridan Developments Ltd. v. Shell Canada Products Ltd., 2002, litigated through appeal by Michael S. Hebert, established that contamination stigma can result in property devaluation
• Mann Lawyers LLP is litigating Canada’s first and only certified PFAS class action against the federal government, with subsequent class actions nationwide following this precedent
• Basis for PFAS contamination-related class actions in Canada
• Potential PFAS Class Action liability, and how to avoid/mitigate such liability
• With tightening guidelines, professionals must remain informed about federal and provincial recommendations, and
• PFAS contamination and resultant stigma class action litigation is likely to expand significantly in near future, particularly as PFAS standards and guidelines become more stringent.

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.

AI and Remediation: Smarter tools, Greater Efficiency, Broader Impact

The environmental industry is undergoing a generational shift as Artificial Intelligence (AI) moves from concept to practical application. Traditionally, environmental decision-making has relied heavily on numerical data and expert interpretation. Today, advances in Generative AI (GenAI) and Retrieval-Augmented Generation (RAG) are revolutionizing how we analyze vast amounts of data and text. As environmental challenges and remediation needs grow in complexity, the ability to rapidly and precisely synthesize and interpret large volumes of information becomes increasingly critical.

This presentation will showcase real-world case studies where AI has streamlined workflows, processed thousands of records, and supported clients in making more informed decisions using GenAI. By shifting from manual review to intelligent automation, we can reduce time-to-decision, improve transparency, and strengthen the evidence base. Imagine moving from reviewing individual well logs to leveraging AI that scrapes, analyzes, and synthesizes entire datasets – scaling insights from site-specific models to thousands of comparable records. Questions – such as whether a detected concentration reflects background conditions or is attributed to a particular source – can now be explored through AI-driven lines of evidence in minutes, not hours.

Looking ahead, the integration of GenAI with geospatial data, sensor networks, and predictive modeling will enable multimodal AI pipelines with transformative potential. These innovations promise to accelerate remediation, enhance risk assessment, and unlock new possibilities for environmental stewardship. The future of remediation is here – are you ready?

Remediation Case Studies Gone Wrong: From Bench- to Full-Scale & the Cost of Assumptions

In-situ remediation technologies offer the promise of efficient, sustainable, minimally invasive cleanup of contaminated sites, but when implemented without adequate upfront planning the result can fall short of expectations, leading to costly fixes, regulatory setbacks, and/or persistent contamination. Practitioners regularly enjoy sharing success stories but it’s often the lessons learned from failures where wisdom is gained. This presentation will explore real-world case studies including when remediation efforts failed to achieve cleanup goals due to a variety of factors such as inadequate site understanding, lack of bench-scale or pilot-scale testing, flawed assumptions about contaminant behavior and/or erratic decision-making from clients. Critical reflections and insights will be offered partially by comparison to similar case studies where the outcomes were successful. The list of case studies to present include completion of a Permeable Reactive Barrier (PRB) that was properly designed but poorly installed, a petroleum hydrocarbon (PHC) site cleanup that failed due to lack of pilot-scale testing, how a heavy metal site was effectively remediated with the assistance of bench- and pilot-scale testing, as well as a novel PFAS remediation approach that was avoided failure using bench-scale testing.

Through these contrasting examples, the presenter will share war stories and examine the critical decisions that influence remediation performance, including contaminant and amendment interaction chemistry, hydrogeologic complexity, amendment delivery challenges, and contaminant matrix interactions. The session will conclude with a set of practical recommendations for new and veteran environmental professionals alike, emphasizing the value of early-stage testing, iterative design, and data-driven decision-making to improve the reliability and effectiveness of in-situ remediation strategies.

Economic Outlook Panel

Economic Outlook Panel

Economic Outlook Panel

Economic Outlook Panel