Environment Journal Canada

The 10th AnnualExcess Soils Symposium—now Toronto’s biggest earthworks event—is preparing to host another action-packed day of informative presentations and industry networking on September 24, 2026. The Symposium provides ​thought-provoking perspectives, technical insights, and expert panels on the business of excess soils, regulatory updates ​impacting construction and cleanup projects, and innovative best practices. Join us to dig into the issues and network with leaders in the industry.

The City of Ottawa has announced that several facilities will receive retrofit upgrades this fall. Since 2023, the City has invested between $3.5 to $4 million annually in efficiency upgrades, leveraging internal capital and external incentives. These retrofits have helped reduce emissions by approximately 1,200 tonnes of carbon dioxide (C02) a year and cut operating costs by $300,000 annually.

School spirit was high at SiteSummit, hosted by our sibling publication, SiteNews. The “summer school” theme was a suitable way to capture the concept of learning together, upgrading old beliefs and forging future success through a special shared experience for the “class of construction.” From geopolitical uncertainty to supply chain challenges, it has been a tumultuous time in the industry—but the curriculum at SiteSummit left attendees informed and empowered.

While building Canada into a clean energy superpower, the Government of Canada is working with northern and remote communities to develop clean energy projects, in particular those that are reducing diesel use for electricity generation. This approach will strengthen energy security, reduce emissions and create jobs and prosperity for northern, rural and Indigenous communities.

Laval, Que-based Englobe Corporation recently released its 2025 Sustainability Report, outlining how the Canadian multi-disciplinary engineering and environmental services firm is integrating environmental, social and governance (ESG) priorities into its operations as it continues to grow across Canada.

Novisto, a leading corporate sustainability management platform, and La Caisse, a global investment group, have announced an agreement and an investment by La Caisse in Novisto. This transaction aims to accelerate the company’s growth and strengthen organizations’ access to technological solutions that facilitate the management of sustainability-related information within the context of the transition to a low-carbon economy.

The Bank of Canada held its target for the overnight rate on June 10, 2026 at 2.25%, citing ongoing conflict and volatility. The conflict in the Middle East is now in its fourth month, while the U.S. administration continues to propose new tariffs and trade policy so uncertainty remains elevated.

Rio Tinto has successfully started commissioning its US$1.5 billion AP60 smelter expansion at Complexe Arvida in Quebec, marking a major milestone for the deployment of its state-of-the-art, low-carbon aluminium smelting technology. The start-up, which began in March, is expected to be completed by the end of 2026 with all 96 new pots operating.

By Orjan Lundberg I woke up with the kind of excitement that comes not from expectation but from possibility. It was no ordinary game day. This was my first time at a stadium certified as sustainable, net-zero, a place where the passion of football met the quiet ambition of sustainability. I have been a fan all my life, and I have always tried to live with a little more care for the planet, so I wanted to see what this green sports event would reveal beyond the polished brochures.

By Ryan Lynch Amidst geopolitical turbulence, policy uncertainty and the accelerating fragmentation of the global liberal order, Canadian businesses are operating in a fundamentally different landscape than they were at the start of the decade. Characteristic of this new global context is a rising tide of climate skepticism and mounting pressure to dilute — or abandon altogether — net zero pledges.