RemTech 2024 presents industry developments and connects environmental consultants

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The Remediation Technologies Symposium (RemTech) is the premier event on remediation for environmental professionals, encompassing the latest innovations on related tech and industry practices, taking place at the picturesque Fairmont Banff Springs. Environment Journal is a proud media partner of this event.

This year, for RemTech 2024, almost 700 attendees came together from October 15 to 18, to experience interesting keynotes and presentations from leading industry experts, and to enjoy numerous networking opportunities in the majestic mountain resort setting.

The annual symposium is presented by the Environmental Services Association of Alberta (ESAA), one of Canada’s leading business associations with approximately 250 members. RemTech provides a forum for industry experts to present leading edge technologies and best practices, and to engage in dynamic panel discussions. Co-sponsors and participating organizations include government, academic institutions, and private sector organizations active in site remediation, research and application.

The comprehensive program featured dozens of technical talks covering a number of topic areas, including: in-situ and ex-situ treatment; physical / biological / chemical treatment; soil washing and scrubbing; thermal desorption and incineration; stabilization / solidification; natural attenuation, phytoremediation, and bioremediation; oil sands remediation and reclamation; oil spills management; new technology and research;  remote and difficult locations; emerging contaminants; landfill closure; brownfields redevelopment; monitoring, modelling, and testing; mining and forestry management; and, federal contaminated sites.

There were many bright minds in attendance, and too much to report in one piece, but here are some highlights from RemTech 2024.

Brian Keating and his partner Dee Keating with Joe Chowaniec of ESAA prepare the group for the Nature Walk, a networking opportunity that provided keen insights into the wildlife and unique natural wonders of Banff, including the songs of mountain chickadees and woodpeckers, the sound of elk studs and even the sight of fresh paw marks from massive grizzly bears.

Insights into the legalities of contaminated sites and case law

One of the opening panels on “Environmental Law for Consultants and Industry” provided valuable insights and a hot topics roundtable with leading environmental legal practitioners from private practice as they reviewed the latest legislative developments. Moderator Anand Srivastava of Willms & Shier Environmental Lawyers LLP was joined by panelists Sean Parker of McLellan Ross LLP, Matthew Gardner (Willms & Shier), Jacquie Stevens (Willms & Shier), and Annemarie Clarke of Witten LLP.

Parker kicked things off with a primer on contaminated site litigation – including civil action concerning legal matters such as breaching of contracts and “Buyer Beware” advice when it comes to commercial or industrial lands, and four main causes of action (nuisance, negligence, trespass and strict liability). Nuisance is the most common, when neighbours have issues with interference and enjoyment of their properties, such as unpleasant substances and smells associated with adjacent activities. He emphasized that the two-year discoverability period in terms of the statute of limitations is important to be mindful of in Alberta and other jurisdictions.

“One of the big things to note, depending on which jurisdiction you or your client is under, there’s an inspector or investigator that are two separate people,” pointed out Gardner. “However, federally, the same enforcement officer may go out and inspect a property and may find a contravention and switch hats.”

Gardner also emphasized that the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms kicks in to protect corporations and individuals, depending on the dynamics of consent and compulsory disclosures. To make it simple for clients he advises they ask for identification (badge), ask for purpose of visit (inspection or investigation), and ask if it’s voluntary or compulsory to answer questions or provide documents.

“One of the big things to note, depending on which jurisdiction you or your client is under, there’s an inspector or investigator that are two separate people,” explained Gardner. “However, federally, the same enforcement officer may go out and inspect a property and may find a contravention and switch hats.”

There was also discussion of the defence of due diligence, where there’s a reasonable belief in a mistaken set of facts or taking all reasonable care to avoid offence. These include development and implementation of Environmental Management Systems (EMS) and environmental compliance audit programs.

For example, in R v ControlChem (OJC 2016), an employee deliberately discharged liquids from four large totes into a stormdrain which turned the nearby creek white. Charges were brought against both the company and the employee. The employee pled guilty and was convicted. However, the company’s defence of due diligence was successful – it had taken comprehensive steps and even had a mantra that “nothing leaves the building” – but the employee went rogue. Ultimately, the court dismissed all charges against ControlChem.

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New developments such as an Alternative Measures Agreement have allowed a couple of cases to find their way around a conviction, one of which Willms & Shier was involved with.

Clarke shifted gears to the Indigenous focus, referencing the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP): “Indigenous communities are disproportionately exposed to contaminated sites, and this poses unique challenges as many Indigenous peoples consider land as an integral part of their culture and economy.”

UNDRIP is international law, and she highlighted Article 29, which is most relevant to Indigenous reserve lands in Canada. Article 29 focuses on conservation and the protection of the environment, effective measures for managing hazardous materials, and effective measures to monitor and restore human health.

The declaration takes aim at the issues around “free, prior and informed consent,” explained Clarke.  “Consultation and participation are crucial components of a consent process, but consent is more than just consultation.”

In closing, Stevens, emphasized to attendees that “ignorance of the law is not a defence,” while Parker added that “a big oil sands company will be held to a higher level of standard than a mom-and-pop shop.” Even so, Clarke advised that environmental consultants should be aware of more of intersecting frameworks when it comes to working with Indigenous Peoples. Gardner also reminded everyone about the complexity of contaminated site cases, that cases are generally considered on a “case by case basis” and “every case is different, and every province is different.”

The engaged audience raised several interesting questions, which led to dynamic discussions about privileged relationships and communications between retained counsel and various environmental settlements.


Attendees come together to get their “Game On” at the opening tail gate presented by JSK Consulting Ltd., to celebrate the 25th Anniversary of ERIS, and to enjoy the Oktoberfest dinner hosted by platinum sponsor Trace Associates.

Fact vs Fiction: The age of misinformation

Keynote speaker Timothy Caulfied, OC, Professor of Health Law and Science Policy at the University of Alberta, provided an entertaining and interesting presentation on debunking myths and assumptions about innovation.

“There has been a normalization of pseudo-science and moving away from actual science,” He pointed to the noise coming from a host of social media influencers and celebrities. He pointed to how misinformation is to blame for problematic advice, negative narratives and false hopes for health outcomes and more. But there has been pushback with people saying we have to have some standards.

He referenced research on social media such as TikTok, citing how misinformation is presented approximately 20 per cent of the time. Highly touted AI tools such as ChatGPT are also generating articles through increasingly sophisticated deepfake audio and video selling misleading information and goods. “Anecdotal stories can undermine our ability to make scientifically driven judgements in real-world contexts.”

So what can be done? He recommends we start teaching critical thinking skills in kindergarten. “Step away from the noise on social media and you’ll be less likely to fall victim to misinformation and you’re less likely to perpetrate misinformation.”

Keynote speaker Timothy Caulfield takes the stage. The bestselling author’s most recent book is “Relax Dammit!: A User’s Guide to the Age of Anxiety.”

He emphasized the importance of respecting scientific consensus that is contested and evolving and that everyone should strive to explain it and share it responsibly. Caulfield is the co-founder of the scientific engagement initiative #ScienceUpFirst.

Cleanup solutions for surplus sites

The Canadian Brownfields Network presented an informative plenary on municipal engagement. Maurice LeBlanc of Imperial Oil kicked things off with a discussion of environmental risk management involving petroleum infrastructure. He pointed to various methods, such as remediate and sell (have increased control and certainty over situation but is costly, sometimes more costly than commercial value), sell un-remediated (buyer environmental due diligence but more efficient with digging once versus twice), and risk-managed sale (risk management plan with mitigation measures and involves science-based risk management process).

According to LeBlanc, newer management approaches for divesting surplus sites include open dialogue with potentially interested buyers and standardized sales agreements.

Consultant Tammy Lomas-Jylha shared her research of over 700 surplus sites from across Canada. Her municipal brownfield readiness study findings are: 13.5 per cent had a high level of municipal interest, many of these are considered brownfield leaders; 18.5 per cent have brownfields policies/linkages to priorities, and some redevelopment experience; and, 74 per cent had little or no involvement with brownfields redevelopment.

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“So right now, Canadian municipalities are focused on existing infrastructure needs and it’s sometimes hard to get them to think about the brownfields, especially small towns with a limited number of staff,” explained Lomas-Jylha.

The current and former heads of the Canadian Brownfields Network respectively, Meggen Janes and Tammy Lomas-Jylha

She is working to help municipalities and making efforts with municipal engagement, to bridge with prospective developers, to materialize opportunities for their surplus sites.  “Brownfields can be part of your climate action priorities,” she emphasized. “Generally the outreach has been receptive in terms of what the site could become,” but she said some have been slow to initiate act due to conflicting priorities.

Representatives from Alberta Environment and Protected Areas were also on hand to discuss policy matters related to brownfield redevelopment. Alberta’s Guide to Excluding the Domestic Use Aquifier based on Municipal Bylaw was presented by Norman Sawatsky, contaminated sites policy specialist

The guide describes how the DUA can be excluded from remediation if evidence indicates there is not a risk to human health of the environment at a particular location. There was a discussion about the recognition that simple models have limits and how the guide outlines boundary conditions to ensure low risk, including a solubility limit. Alberta Environment and Protected Areas is responsible for policy and regulating sites, but the Guide was written by a multi-stakeholder team. “This process was different and successful because it was led by multiple stakeholders interested in making a difference in this field,” he said. Also remarkable is that they were able to produce the guide within two years’ time.

Carol Le Noury of ERIS, Connie Vitello of Environment Journal, and Erin Ciezki of ESAA in the RemTech exhibit space, including 55 exhibitors, which was buzzing with the latest in remediation related services and products. Reps from the west and across the country, were represented, including: Kelly Howard, Peter Bradshaw and Krzysztof Wozniak at Agat; Wendy Sean, Jessica Spira, and Blair Easton at ALS;   Karen Schmidt at Osprey Scientific; Norah Pierdant at SCG Industries; and, Greg Martin and Tom Davies at Datanest.

ESAA awards for industry and lifetime achievement

The prestigious ESAA Awards were also presented. The Industry Award went to Parsons, for the Faro Mine project, which is one of the largest projects undertaken in the Yukon, while advancing environmental remediation and reconciliation. The remote location, harsh weather conditions, and sheer scale of the project required a sizable, multi-disciplinary team to effectively implement innovative solutions to protect the environment and human health and safety. The Indigenous people whose lives were negatively affected by the mine are benefiting from the remediation and closure of the site.

The Lifetime Achievement Award was presented to Stacy Thygesen, principal of JSK Consulting. “It has been a wild and wonderful ride,” said Thygesen, past president of ESAA. Thygesen is a mentor, a trusted advisor, a committed ESAA volunteer, and small business owner. With nearly 25 years experience in the environmental industry, she has worked at her family-owned decommissioning company. Thygesen, along with her husband, has built their company into an industry leader. She began her involvement with ESAA in 2004 when JSK Consulting became a member of the association. In that time she has actively supported, and participated in, ESAA events. She was elected to the ESAA Board of Directors, and served as president during the challenging time of the COVID pandemic.

Thygesen took the opportunity to give a shout out to ESAA Executive Director Joe Chowaniec. “Joe treated me like an equal at a time when females were overlooked. That helped give me the confidence to step forward in my role and break boundaries and champion causes important to me, like ESAA.”

The Lifetime Achievement Award was presented to Stacy Thygesen, principal of JSK Consulting.

The congratulatory remarks recognizing Chowaniec’s retirement from ESAA involved a wonderful video presentation, featuring well wishes from several industry leaders and even Jane Goodall, highlighting his incredible contribution to the environmental community and exceptional efforts with various charitable organizations.

The Honourable Jody Wilson-Raybauld, former Member of Parliament, former Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada and bestselling author. The daughter of a hereditary chief and Indigenous leader, she always sought leadership roles and responsibilities.  She shared her journey in leadership and in reconciliation and discussed how she has cultivated a strong reputation as a bridge builder and champion of good governance. “I want to challenge you in a very positive way to reflect on the roles you have and are playing,” stated Wilson-Raybauld.

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Wondering what exactly to do to help forward reconciliation? She provided these practical recommendations:

  1. Focus on true and not performative reconciliation. Words matter so be careful with what you say. Also, when everything is called reconciliation, it’s effectively saying that nothing is reconciliation. Lowering a flag or wearing a t shirt is not the same as environmental stewardship and children taken out of poverty. Symbolism is not a substitute for real reconciliation. Core needs should be addressed – including social and economic wellbeing – for the rebuilding of Indigenous People nations. An ability to raise revenue from lands will strengthen cohesion and help achieve justice.
  2. Learn the truth about Indigenous history. Make the invisible visible. It’s important to learn and understand painful pasts, such as the murdered and missing girls commission and having debates about controversial historical figures. There is no reconciliation in the shadows. A more accurate telling of the story of Canada is critical to breaking down the silos. Be honest and inclusive, even when it’s difficult and challenging.
  3. If you want to advance true reconciliation, be a true “inbetweener.” It takes courage and demands an uncomfortable stance sometimes. Some Indigenous family and friends didn’t want her to be involved in Crown government, while the role she had in Indigenous politics were often not welcome around the Cabinet. Regardless, we need have more inbetweeners to take on important issues such as Indigenous reconciliation and climate change.

Compelling keynotes: Bill Weir, a veteran anchor and climate correspondent for CNN pointed to horrific hurricanes and deadly floods, but he also offered proactive solutions. “The way we’ve built the modern world has screwed up the natural world,” he said, but explained that there are “new ways to fix old mistakes,” through clean energy solutions and carbon sequestration. The award-wining journalist recently released the book, Life as We Know It (Can Be): Stories of People, Climate, and Hope in a Changing World. “I believe that we are in a moment that demands our relentless efforts and leadership. We need to learn, understand and act,” stated Jody Wilson-Raybould, former Attorney General of Canada and bestselling author, most recently of “True Reconciliation: How to be a force for change.”

Paying it Forward for the Future: The Joe Chowaniec Scholarship

This year, in honour of the retirement of Joe Chowaniec, executive director of ESAA, and his 30 year commitment to ESAA, a scholarship program was launched. Beginning his journey as a university student, Chowaniec advanced through every level of the association, and is now recognized as a well liked visionary and leader with the environmental sector.

In honour of his contributions, ESAA is presenting two scholarships to students enrolled in environmental programs at Canadian universities or colleges. The awards aim to recognize academic excellence and support future environmental leaders

The inaugural Joe Chowaniec Scholarship awards were awarded to Hadi Mokarizadeh (environmental engineering student at the University of Alberta and chair of IWP-YWP Canada) and Karin Mohoric (lab technician at Guardian Chemicals Inc., a BSc Environmental Practice Student).

Chowaniec officially retires on December 31, 2024. He also announced that on January 1, 2025, Erin Ciezki, currently the manager of strategic relations, will step into the role of executive director. Additionally, Fred Keating will step down as Master of Ceremonies and Todd Latham, president of Actual Media Inc. (Environment Journal’s parent company) will step into that role. Both retirement announcements received warm standing ovations. For once, Keating was speechless!

Environment Journal Editor Connie Vitello with Knowledge Keeper and Traditional Storyteller Lyndon J. Linklater of the Thunderchild First Nation. The closing remarks by Linklater were empowered with personal anecdotes, interlaced with difficult historic insights and a resilient humour, all of which added up to a compelling call for action on Truth and Reconciliation. “This is our country and it’s our Canada and it’s up to us to decide how it’s going to be.”

There were many informative presentations, big announcements, and emotional moments shared over the course of this special edition of the symposium. Furthermore, RemTech’s silent auction succeeded in surpassing the goal of raising $1 million for several worthy charities.

For more information on RemTech, visit: https://esaa.org/remtech/

For presentation proceedings from RemTech symposiums visit: https://esaa.org/remtech/proceedings

Featured image credit: Getty Images

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