aboutREMEDIATION (AR) and Canadian Brownfields Network (CBN)

aboutREMEDIATION (AR) is Canada's leading information resource on site remediation and brownfields redevelopment. The Web site is designed to meet the need for information, resources and services involved in addressing brownfield sites, remediating contaminated lands and revitalizing urban areas. 

The Canadian Brownfields Network (CBN) is Canada’s voice for brownfield redevelopment. The CBN is a network based association composed of stakeholders and practitioners across Canada. The CBN acts as a forum for communication and advocates change in policy to enable the redevelopment of brownfields. The CBN works in cooperation with existing environmental associations and institutes across Canada. The CBN designs and delivers quality brownfield knowledge and training workshops and conferences. The Canadian Brownfields Chronicle is a CBN supplement published by HazMat Management Magazine.

Eligibility Criteria

Typical users include:

• Government (International, Federal, Provincial and Municipal)
• Engineering/Environmental Consultants and Contractors
• Research and Development Organizations
• Academic and Training Institutions
• Property/Site Owners, Managers, Developers, Planners
• Legal, Insurance and Financial Institutions
• Environmental Groups
• Investors, Property Buyers and the General Public

Eligible Activities

• Brownfields redevelopment
• Site remediation
• Urban revitalization
• Sustainable communities
• Environmental financing
• Policy and regulatory compliance
• Education and training workshops

Summary

aboutREMEDIATION.com (AR)

The aboutREMEDIATION.com (AR) Web site provides industry stakeholders and practitioners with relevant up-to-date news, initiatives, resources, tools, technologies and case studies. Users access information and innovative solutions to guide them through the remediation, reclamation and redevelopment process. The Web site allows industry leaders from the private and public sector to promote their approaches, business capability and services.

AR was recognized for the unique contribution that the Web site and its partners have made in conveying information and sharing ideas, techniques, concepts and approaches to brownfields redevelopment and site remediation. AR was presented with a Canadian Urban Institute CUI Brownie Award for Innovation and Communication in the fall of 2001. This award winning Web site attracts and provides more than 96,000 unique visitors annually with up-to-date information and innovative solutions.

What does AR provide to users?

• Brownfields Redevelopment Toolbox
• Assessment and Evaluation Tools
• Property Valuation and Redevelopment
• Liability and Legal Issues
• Brownfields Financing
• Risk Management and Insurance Solutions
• Sustainable Community Planning
• Clean-up Technologies and Case Studies (“Technology Directory”)
• Technologies Solutions and Technology Verification
• Research and Development
• News and Events
• Education/Training Tools, Programs, Publications and Workshops

Technology Directory:  Users can access an enhanced technology database and view descriptions of innovative and proven remediation, removal, and assessment technologies. Included is a public directory of businesses, services and case studies/projects.

Participants and Sponsors

The AR Web site is housed outside Environment Canada and its Green Lane site. The Web site is owned and operated by the Ontario Centre for Environmental Technology Advancement (OCETA), a private-sector, non-profit* environmental organization that operates at arm’s length from government. The core mandate of OCETA is to provide business services to small and medium enterprises (SMEs) to commercialize new environmental technologies.

Funding for AR is driven by a combination of project specific government programs, educational workshops and sponsorship funds to promote specific tools and resources. Stakeholders collaborate with AR to increase their public awareness while accelerating site remediation and brownfields redevelopment across Canada. Partnerships with industry leaders are vital in the Canadian brownfields market to ensure successful brownfield redevelopment projects. Users can access these professionals through the AR Web site.

Business Development Opportunities

Practitioners promote their business services and explore opportunities in the brownfields industry through the Web site, functions and events attended by and organized through aboutREMEDIATION and its business partners. Stakeholders collaborate with AR to increase their public awareness while accelerating site remediation and brownfields redevelopment across Canada.

Organizations involved in the remediation/reclamation or brownfield redevelopment industries may become directly involved in the development of the Web site, its features and targeted workshops through flexible corporate and government sponsor packages.

Businesses, associations and academic institutions can participate directly by sponsoring features. AR assists in the development and promotion of industry efforts and services, while disseminating information to a dedicated market. Industry can register and showcase services, technologies and successful projects within the online database/directory at no cost.

Canadian Brownfields Network (CBN)

The Canadian Brownfields Network (CBN) is Canada’s voice for brownfields redevelopment. The CBN was launched in March 2004 and is owned and operated by OCETA.  The CBN works in partnership with the Canadian Urban Institute (CUI) to organize an annual CBN Canadian Brownfields Conference.

The CBN is uniquely positioned as the enabling mechanism to implement the National Round Table on the Environment and Economy recommendations to accelerate brownfield redevelopment activities across Canada. The mandate of the CBN is to raise awareness of the economic, environmental and social benefits of brownfields redevelopment, and to transform the market through outreach and capacity-building initiatives.

Significant progress has been made by the CBN since its inception.

Highlights include:

• the formation of a CBN Advisory Panel comprised of a distinguished group of experts from across Canada;
• strategic alliances with industry to create market credibility;
• delivery of high profile conferences and workshops;
• a brownfields redevelopment toolbox; and
• an initial membership base of more than 200 practitioners and stakeholders.

The CBN and the CUI host an annual Canadian Brownfields conference each fall attracting stakeholders, regulators and practitioners from across the country. The conference features high-profile keynote speakers and the latest in learning from case studies across Canada and internationally, a brownfields marketplace, tours and seminars. The CUI also hosts its annual Brownie Awards ceremony sponsored by CMHC. The conference also plays host to the CBN annual member and Advisory Panel meetings. The CBN also communicates brownfield issues through an e-newsletter and the Canadian Brownfields Chronicle, a CBN supplement, published by HazMat Management Magazine in four issues per year.

Brownfield Workshops and Training

OCETA has collaborated with the public and private sectors to develop and deliver Brownfields Knowledge Workshops and Brownfield Training Sessions across Canada. The knowledge workshops increased awareness regarding the benefits of brownfield redevelopment and provided the tools for implementing successful community improvement projects.  The training sessions provided hands-on exercises which participants could work through actual case studies and apply the concepts and principles of successful brownfields redevelopment.

1 Brownfields: abandoned, idled or underutilized industrial or commercial properties where expansion or redevelopment is complicated by real or perceived environmental contamination, building deterioration/obsolescence, and/or inadequate infrastructure.
*Note: "non-profit" also known as nonprofit organizations, non profit organizations, not-for-profit organizations, voluntary organizations and volunteer organizations.

Alberta, British Columbia, Manitoba, New Brunswick, Newfoundland & Labrador, Northwest Territories, Nova Scotia, Nunavut, Ontario, Prince Edward Island, Quebec, Saskatchewan, Yukon Contact(s):
See National Contact.