The Canadian Brownfields Network and Actual Media Inc. announced the winners of the 2017 Brownie Awards, recognizing nine projects and programs across Canada for their rehabilitation efforts associated with brownfields properties.

Brownfields properties are vacant or underused past industrial and commercial properties with contamination (chemical pollution) present. These properties can potentially pose health and safety risks, contaminate the environment and be costly for their communities, brownfields properties can be former factories, gas stations and historical industrial and commercial waterfront properties.Sixteen projects were nominated as finalists for six main categories, demonstrating excellence in their rehabilitation efforts for REPROGRAM, REMEDIATE, REINVEST, REBUILD, RENEW and REACH OUT.

Sixteen projects and programs were nominated as finalists for six main categories, demonstrating excellence in their rehabilitation effors for REPROGRAM, REMEDIATE, REINVEST, REBUILD, RENEW and REACH OUT.

The following 2017 Brownie Award winners were announced in Toronto on November 22, 2017 by keynote speaker and Chief Project Officer at Waterfront Toronto, David Kusturing:

REPROGRAM – Legislation, Policy and Program Initiatives

Contaminated Sites Approved Professionals Society, British Columbia

REMEDIATE – Sustainable Remediation and Technological Innovation

BC Hydro Rock Bay, Victoria, British Columbia

REINVEST – Financing, Risk Management and Partnerships

Port Credit West, Mississauga, Ontario

REBUILD – Redevelopment at the Local, Site Scale

New Eva’s Phoenix, Toronto, Ontario

RENEW – Redevelopment at the Community Scale

East Bayfront/Bayside Development, Toronto, Ontario

REACH OUT – Communication, Marketing and Public Engagement

Inspiration Port Credit, Mississauga, Ontario

Brownfielder of the Year – Lisa Fairweather, Alberta Environment and Parks, Edmonton, Alberta

Best Small Project – The Askiy Project, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan

Best Overall Project – Toronto Portlands Due Diligence

In addition, the City of Mississauga was awarded the 2017 Brownie Award for Communication, Marketing and Public Engagement associated with Inspiration Port Credit.

Brownfield property redevelopment benefits both the known and potentially impacted environment and communities harbouring them. The recipients of the 2017 Brownie Awards have contributed to the awareness of brownfield property impacts, recovery of often-times ideal urban landscape, revival of the local economy and area and value of brownfields properties and their future potential.

Congratulations to the 2017 winners!