Program - Canadian Brownfields Network

View the 2024 program

7:45am – 8:45am

Registration, Networking
Continental Breakfast

Sponsored by

8:45am – 9:00am
Welcome Remarks
Emcees – CBN President Krista Barfoot (SLR Consulting), Conference Chair Andrew Macklin (WSP Canada)
CBN Executive Director – Meggen Janes

9:00am – 9:15am
Federal Contaminated Sites Action Plan (FCSAP) Phase IV Demand Forecast 2024-25

Scott Thompson, Manager - Regional Operations, Risk Assessment, Environmental Services and Contaminated Sites, Ontario Region, Public Services and Procurement Canada/Government of Canada

9:15am – 10:15am
Prioritizing Brownfields: Are Brownfields the Solution for New Attainable Housing?

Presentation Session

With a targeted and timely discussion on the important role of brownfields in solving our national housing crunch, we’ll provide a State of the Nation to understand the incentives available and the progress that has been made, whether a property’s status as a brownfield helps or hurts its chances for redevelopment as housing, and whether commercial buildings have become the more viable brownfield investment.

Meggen Janes, CBN Executive Director, moderator
Chris DeSousa, Toronto Metropolitan University School of Urban and Regional Planning
- The Status of brownfield incentives across the country
Tom Li, Parsons
- A Comparison of Regulatory and Permitting Requirements of Various Canadian Jurisdictions in Converting Brownfield Sites into Residential Use.
Nima Kia, RPP Director, Development and Housing Now
- Public Land initiatives on brownfield sites and how to directly incentivize.

Sponsored by

10:15am – 10:45am
Networking Break

Sponsored by

10:45am - 11:45am
Brownfield Development: Finding Balance with Conflicting Needs
This discussion will look at how brownfields help solve community needs, and which needs they are best suited to address. Are they best suited to help right-size employment lands? Prop up attainable housing? Strengthen industrial land offerings? Or perhaps even a combination of needs via multiple use development?

Our panel of experts will explore these issues and more to help us better understand how best to work with municipal and developer partners on redevelopment projects.

Suvish Melanta, Grounded Engineering, moderator
Jeremy Dunn, Commercial Vice-President, HOPA
Kyle Nicholls, Vice President, Environmental Health and Safety, Triovest
Tunde Paczai, Urban and Planning Practice Lead, AECOM
Mark Richardson, Technical Lead, Housing Now TO

Sponsored by

11:45am – 1:15pm
Lunch, Networking

Lunch sponsored by

Keynote Presentation

Keynote Presentation sponsored by

1:15pm – 2:15pm
Brownfield Restoration: transforming traditional approaches with property solutions, AI and enhanced infrastructure.

Presentation Session

Diana Saccone, Senior VP Technology, ERIS, moderator
New Management Approach for Divesting Imperial Oil’s Surplus Sites
- Maurice LeBlanc, Commercial Portfolio Manager, Environmental and Property Solutions, Imperial Oil.
- Tammy Lomas-Jylha, President, Lomas-Jylha Consulting.
AI and Brownfield Redevelopment: Opportunities, Applications, and the Role of the Environmental Professional
- Kathryn Matheson, Team Lead, SLR Consulting (Canada) Limited
Combining District Energy and In-situ Bioremediation
- Dr. Magdalena Krol, Associate Professor Civil Engineering Department, York University

2:15pm – 2:45pm
Networking Break

Sponsored by

2:45pm – 3:30pm
Integrated and Innovative Development Solutions

Monique Punt, MPunt Environmental Consulting, moderator
Canadian Urban Institute (CUI) Office Conversion
- Leandro Santos, Research Planner, Canadian Urban Institute (CUI): CUI's Office Conversion
Land Use Compability - balancing needs of land uses and assessing approaches for sensitive land use changes in industrial or commercial settings
- Hamish Corbett-Hains, Principal, Geosyntec Consultants

Sponsored by

3:30pm – 4:45pm
Evolving Standard of Care

Panel session

In this session, we will delve into key questions shaping the future of our practices:

Join us as we navigate these critical topics, exploring the intersection of evolving standards, technological advancements, and emerging industry demands and how these impact or support brownfield redevelopment. Discover actionable insights to inform your approach and ensure your practices remain at the forefront of environmental stewardship and regulatory compliance for brownfield renewal.

Sponsored by

4:45pm – 5:00pm
Embracing impacts and turning tables in the Anthropocene

Dr. Soren Brothers, ROM Curator of Climate Change

5:00pm – 5:05pm
Closing Remarks

Sponsored by

5:10pm – 5:30pm
Presentation of the HUB Awards

Presenting sponsor

CBN has been presenting the HUB (Heroes Underpinning Brownfields) Awards since 2016. They're given to recognize brownfielders who are making a significant contribution to the progress of brownfield redevelopment in Canada. There are three awards, each designed to correspond to a different stage of career growth:

HUB Award winners will be presented with an indigenous art piece by Brian Bob from I-Hos Gallery (https://ihosgallery.com/).

Winners are selected by jury review, 2024 jury members:

Tanisha Monster, Business Development Coordinator, Milestone Environmental Contracting Inc.

Carl Spensieri, VP Environment Berkley Canada

Prasoon Adhikari, Supervisor Environmental Engineering, City Of Kitchener

5:30pm - 7:00pm

Reception

Sponsored by

How have (and are) brownfield professionals adapted to changing standards?
How do we leverage institutional knowledge and retain the intent of processes, regulations and guidelines?
What role does technology play in facilitating or complicating our efforts?
How do sustainability and resilience initiatives drive innovation in industry best practices?
Is the standard of care evolving at the right pace to meet emerging challenges?
How do we address legacy issues and navigate historical precedents in a changing environment?
What is the impact of industry-wide labor shortages and retirements on standard of care expectations?
Are new graduates adequately prepared to meet evolving demands and are we training them quickly enough with the right resources?
Has the increase in staff mobility (remote workplace to frequent workplace transitions) changed the level of care and continuity we apply to projects?
How do we harness AI to enhance efficiency without compromising the standard of care?
Joanna Vince, Willms & Shier Environmental Lawyers LLP, moderator.
Janet Bobechko, WeirFoulds LLP
George Boire
Paul Bowen
Alan McCammon, Manager, Remediation Assurance, Site Remediation Program, Ministry of Environment and Climate Change Strategy
Lifetime Achievement: Presented to a distinguished individual whose lifelong dedication has significantly elevated the Brownfield industry. This unsung hero has tirelessly led, mentored and innovated, shaping transformative paths that have now become the bedrock of industry practices and policies. Their resounding strength has propelled immense progress, setting an enduring standard of care for brownfields.
Innovation Award: Acknowledging pioneers at the forefront of technical innovation and novel approaches to brownfield redevelopment. These visionaries passionately create solutions across various facets of the brownfield space, developing tools that enhance lives. Their significant roles in overcoming challenges reflect a commitment to diversity, collaboration, and leadership, while shaping innovative solutions for the industry.
Emerging Leaders Award: Recognizing remarkable developing professionals who are newer to the brownfield world and have become integral pillars in advancing the brownfield practice. These rising stars offer valuable insights into programs, policies and practices that significantly propel the industry forward. As community and local leaders, they are not only making a name for themselves but also infusing vitality and vigor into the realm of brownfield renewal.

Emerging Leaders Award sponsored by