EJQ7 - Winter 2026 - Journal - Page 11
2025 BROWNIE AWARD WINNERS
REPROGRAM: Legislation, Policy and Program Initiatives
Guelph: Removing Environmental Barriers at a Municipal-Wide Scale
THE CITY OF GUELPH has developed innovative, evidence-based programs to overcome
barriers to brown昀椀eld redevelopment, including setting defensible background soil values
and creating a municipal risk-mapping system. These initiatives reduce costs, streamline
permitting, and provide clear data for decision-making, making Guelph a replicable model
of sustainable soil management and community regeneration.
Project Team: City of Guelph and Geosyntec International Consultants
“We are honoured to receive this award. It provides us with a renewed motivation and
excitement to keep working on innovative projects and policies that address Ontario’s evolving
regulatory landscape. Our shared goal is the revitalization of brown昀椀elds, and this recognition
from our peers a昀케rms that our e昀昀orts are valued by the community. This achievement would
not be possible without the countless professionals working towards this goal, and every
contribution, whether recognized or not, deserves commendation. It’s a wonderful thing to
gather together and celebrate our industry.”
MEGGEN JANES AND BROOKE WALLACE OF
GEOSYNTEC CONSULTANTS.
Kyle Vandermeer, City of Guelph
“The QPCO initiative was needed in Ontario to give QPs a forum to discuss issues
E N V I RON M E N T J OURN A L QUA RT E RLY RE PORT • W I N T ER 2 02 6 • P AGE 1 1
