New wildland provincial park in Alberta
The new Gipsy-Gordon Wildland Provincial Park will protect over 150,000 more hectares of Alberta forests.
Northeastern Alberta contains trees, lakes and wetlands that are critical habitats for many species of birds, fish and other animals. From songbirds to bumble bees to big game, a variety of large and small wildlife call it home. This area also supports businesses and industries that are vital to the province’s growing economy and is used by local Indigenous communities, trappers and others.
The new Gipsy-Gordon Wildland Provincial Park will protect over 150,000 more hectares of Alberta forests while supporting working landscapes and responsible conservation. Located southeast of Fort McMurray near the Alberta-Saskatchewan border, the new park will preserve breathtaking landscapes and protect local wildlife for future generations.
“This park will help protect our forests, preserve important habitat for wildlife and provide recreation opportunities for Albertans, all while supporting the exercise of Treaty rights by Indigenous Peoples.”
“The Fort McMurray area is full of vibrant landscapes and diverse wildlife. I want to thank Minister Schulz and Environment and Protected Areas for the extensive consultation that went into establishing this expanded wildland park, which will protect our environment, grow our economy and strengthen our community for generations to come.”
The Gipsy-Gordon Wildland Provincial Park will help protect important habitats for threatened species and species of concern, like the yellow-banded bumble bee, and for species at risk like the olive-sided flycatcher as well. The park also supports traditional Indigenous activities, including the exercise of Treaty rights, as well as backcountry recreation including hunting, fishing, trapping and motorized recreation on designated trails.
The total size of the new park is 186,739 hectares. It replaces the previous Gipsy Lake Wildland Provincial Park, which was about 35,000 hectares and is included within the new Gipsy Gordon Wildland Provincial Park.
Wildland provincial parks conserve Alberta’s rich natural heritage while offering opportunities for backcountry recreation on lands that are relatively undisturbed. There are 34 wildland provincial parks located throughout the province.
Quick facts:
The Gipsy-Gordon Wildland Provincial Park was originally established as a conservation area under the Lower Athabasca Regional Plan, and sets the stage for growth, vibrant communities and a healthy environment within the region over the next 50 years.
- Formal designation as an established protected area enables the Provincial Parks Act to support long-term management of the area, contributing to Alberta’s efforts on conservation of land and water.
- New industrial and commercial land disturbances, including oil sands and mineral development, are prohibited in the park, except where existing agreements continue to be honoured in accordance with the Lower Athabasca Regional Plan.
- Forestry is prohibited, except for management of wildfire, insects and disease, in accordance with the Lower Athabasca Regional Plan.
- The Gipsy-Gordon Wildland Provincial Park includes ranges for 28 provincially or federally designated species at risk, including 18 bird species, one fish species, one amphibian species, five invertebrates, and five mammals.
AER: New Edition of Specified Enactment Direction 002
Today, we released a new edition of Specified Enactment Direction 002: Application Submission Requirements and Guidance for Reclamation Certificates for Well Sites and Associated Facilities (SED 002). SED 002 sets out the information requirements under the Environmental Protection and Enhancement Act (EPEA) for reclamation certificate applications for energy resource development and brine-hosted-mineral resource development, including associated facilities and pipelines.
We updated the SED to address commonly asked questions by clarifying expectations, requirements, processes, and terminology. The following are the key revisions to the SED:
- The term “licensee” was replaced with “operator,” a term defined in EPEA.
- The term “land manager” was clarified to include specific roles.
- Processes have been documented, such as the multi-regulator assignments.
- SED 002 was reorganized to improve its flow and to better align with the application sequence in OneStop.
The Government of Alberta, through the Ministry of Environment and Protected Areas, retains the responsibility to establish and set reclamation standards, criteria, guidelines, and directives for the conservation and reclamation of specified land. We will review reclamation applications against the standards, criteria, guidelines, and directives to verify that outcomes were achieved.
Troubled Alberta oil and gas company faces regulatory ultimatum
If the Calgary-based Rally Canada Resources Ltd. fails to get its operations into compliance and post a security deposit of $1.6 million, it will be forced to suspend all operations, according to an Alberta Energy Regulator order issued June 27.
Under the order, Rally Canada has been given three months to pay up, and just two weeks to submit a plan to bring its operations into compliance.
The latest order sheds new light on a company that has repeatedly been sanctioned for neglecting its operational requirements.
Infractions, dating back more than a decade, include toxic gas leaks, forgotten pipelines, missing financial statements and repeated refusals to co-operate with regulatory investigators.
The latest order raises questions about the future of Rally Canada’s assets, which include a vast network of pipelines, 300 light oil wells and nearly 50 light oil facilities near Bashaw in central Alberta, as well as Redwater and Utikuma Lake to the north.
The company has not responded to repeated requests for comment.
According to the latest order, the company has suffered both financial and operational declines. Areas of concern identified in the AER order include its oversized portfolio of inactive wells, escalating financial liability and increasingly poor field performance.
The regulator found that the majority of the company’s wells, facilities and pipelines have turned sour due to the presence of hydrogen sulphide — a flammable gas known for its pungent rotten egg smell — which is hazardous to humans and the environment.
The vast majority of Rally Canada’s wells — about 70 per cent — are inactive and about 71 per cent of them are not compliant with suspension requirements, meaning they have not been safely shut down.
The company’s field inspection rating has plummeted to 23.1 per cent, compared to the industry average of 75 per cent, the order states.
Production has also waned, down to an average of just 423 barrels per day in 2025 from 678 barrels per day in 2022. The company has failed to meet its mandatory closure spend quota for 2022, 2023 and 2024 — an annual sum oil and gas operators must pay to the AER for the remediation and reclamation of inactive industrial sites.
Under the order, the company has 90 days to pay all outstanding environmental payments. The $1.6 million security deposit is due by Oct. 25.
A plan to bring its operations into compliance must be submitted by July 11, and must include a plan to reduce the risk of pipeline ruptures and timeline for when Rally Canada’s field inspection rating will be brought up to the industry average of 75 per cent.
The company has been placed on a limited licence eligibility since March 2020 when AER determined that the company’s operations posed an “unreasonable risk.”
Limited eligibility rules are designed to ensure that only responsible companies are granted the right to operate in Alberta.
Companies found incapable of compliance can face restrictions on their ability to hold or access certain types of licenses or approvals.
As sanctions against the company have piled up, so too have the restrictions placed on Rally Canada. Today, the company remains prohibited from obtaining any new well, facility or pipeline license.
The order is among more than 20 formal sanctions or letters of warning the company has faced for breaches since 2016.
Most recently, last September, the company was issued a notice of non-compliance for conducting unsafe excavation work adjacent to one of its pipelines and for failing to report the infraction to the AER.
In 2020, it faced another notice of non-compliance in Strathcona County, for operating discontinued metallic pipelines.
The investigation found the company did not investigate the need for internal corrosion mitigation measures within their metallic pipes, leaving them susceptible to rusting from the inside out.
The company was issued another warning letter in 2020 for its facility near Bashaw.
The investigation began following a complaint from the public in April 2018 about how the site had been flaring, uninterrupted, for two weeks.
The investigation found that the company had flared hydrogen sulphide gas from its sites repeatedly at concentrations above allowed limits.
In 2021, the company was fined $5,000 for a pipeline infraction at a site in Lacombe County in October 2019.
For over a year, the company had neglected to shut down a pipeline, and it had begun to leak sour gas.
The investigation followed a public complaint and found that nearby residents were being exposed to strong and hazardous sour gas odours, resulting in burning eyes, cough and runny noses.
“However, the nature of these reported impacts appears pale in comparison to the potential for loss of damage,” the order reads.
Investigators found that the company intended to reactivate the defunct pipeline, but while the company underwent a management change, the pipeline was simply forgotten about.
Rally Canada did not have a system to keep track of which pipelines were not in active service, the investigation found.
The company was ordered to address 26 pipelines that were in a similar state of neglect. The AER found that issues were “systemic” and admonished the company for a lack of due diligence.
Rally Canada has been placed on “Global Refer” status since 2023, signifying that the regulator no longer believes the company is willing or able to comply with regulatory requirements.
City of Calgary currently has no plans to remediate creosote in downtown west end
Creosote was found in the bedrock, seven metres below the site along Westmount Boulevard N.W.
However, the creosote contamination stems from the south side of the Bow River, where a wood treatment plant operated west of the city’s downtown core between 1924 and 1962.
The plant used creosote, a toxic mixture of about 200 chemicals, to preserve wood products such as railway ties and power poles.
Over time, the chemicals migrated into and under the Bow River and crossed under the communities on the north side of the Bow River.
“When the plant was operating, there wasn’t a containment site and this is probably the period where most of the migration of the creosote materials occurred,” said Frank Frigo with the City of Calgary’s environmental management department.
A containment wall and groundwater collection system was installed on the south bank of the Bow River in 1995 by the City of Calgary and the provincial government. The city has been operating the containment system since 1997 and monitoring has been ongoing since 2004.
According to a recent five-year monitoring program from the province, there are no concerns to human health when compared to human health guidelines.
“Things have gotten better but the long-term fate of that site isn’t clear yet,” Frigo said.
City officials confirmed there are currently no plans to remediate the site on the west end of the downtown core.
The City of Calgary purchased the land for $37 million back in 2009, which now sits mostly vacant with the closure of the Greyhound bus station and one of the two auto dealers in the area.
“The city is growing so we need to look at all options that we have,” said Calgary mayor Jyoti Gondek. “It’s something I believe we should be looking at but there’s no updates right now.”
It’s been several years since remediating the site was last discussed, when Calgary Sports and Entertainment Corporation pitched its CalgaryNEXT arena project on the west side of downtown in 2016.
However, that project was quashed due in part to estimated costs including up to $300 million to clean up the creosote from the site.
According to Frigo, provincial legislation mandates the “original polluter” is responsible for remediating the site, and redevelopment could be challenging without a full cleanup of the area.
A provincial study from 2020 found potential vapour impacts and groundwater contaminants closer to the topsoil on the south side of the river.
“If eventual redevelopment occurs, there will have to be some thought process around how the soils can be re-used, if at all, or if they’ll need to be removed from the site to enable development,” Frigo said.
Redeveloping the west end could still be many years away, according to Ward 9 Coun. Gian-Carlo Carra, due to competing priorities.
“I think right now it’s 30 years out,” Carra said. “But if the city continues to grow at the pace that it’s growing, that 30 years might become 15 years.”
Carra said the city may need need to use a Community Revitalization Levy (CRL) to spur redevelopment in the area, a financial mechanism the city can employ to borrow funds against future property tax revenues to help pay for infrastructure development.
The City of Calgary currently uses a CRL for the East Village and the Rivers District which was extended through 2048.
“You have a chance that you’re cannibalizing and the growth that’s going into the first one is split, and then you never get paid back for either,” Carra said. “The conventional wisdom is you don’t start on the west village until you’ve fully paid back the CRL on the East Village and arts and entertainment districts.”
According to a spokesperson for the Ministry of Environment and Protected Areas, the province continues to work with the City of Calgary “to ensure any potential risks on the south side of the Bow River are managed.”
Houses demolished surrounding orphan well in northern Alberta, remediation to begin soon
The Orphan Well Association (OWA) has been tasked with addressing the leaking orphan well in Bonnyville, located in the 4500 block between 45th and 46th Ave.
According to a newsletter that the OWA sent out on May 29, the well was drilled in 1954, and as the company responsible has not been in existence since the 1960’s, the Alberta Energy Regulators designated it orphaned and directed the OWA to decomission it.
“In June 2024, the well, which was previously decommissioned to the standard of the day, was found to be leaking minor volumes of sweet natural gas (mostly methane). In response, the wellbore was located and excavated, and a monitoring and mitigation program was implemented to regularly check gas levels in the vicinity of the wellbore,” said the OWA newsletter.
With the successful purchasing of several surrounding homes, the OWA has demolished these buildings and is preparing to begin remediation of the orphan well.
Along with the newsletter, an open house was held in Bonnyville on June 12, outlining the repair and decommissioning plans for the well. OWA president Lars De Pauw said plans have not changed since then, and no further houses will be demolished.
“Everything is going according to plan. The three units that we’ve already purchased, the two homes and the one condo that had two homeowners in it, have been demolished and we’re preparing the site right now,” said De Pauw.
The May 29th newsletter stated that the OWA will move a drilling rig to the location in July or August to decommission the well.
“It is anticipated that the rig will need to operate 24 hours per day for two to three days to complete the necessary work . . . A drilling rig is a very large piece of equipment and moving it to the location will take over 20 truckloads,” stated the newsletter.
The access route has the project’s trucks travelling to the site from the north via 46th St. and then entering the site from the west on 46th Ave. “Some localized parking restrictions are anticipated” along 46th Ave.
“We’re getting to the final point of making a decision when we’re going to start, but it’s going to be here in the coming week. So, it’s coming up pretty quickly. We are going to communicate to all the stakeholders once we’ve picked the exact date that we’re going to start, but we haven’t yet picked a date,” said De Pauw.
The Town of Bonnyville is not in charge of the project, so inquiries can be directed to the OWA via their website, which posts updates on the project, or at info@orphanwell.ca .
CCME: Canadian Environment ministers discussed the relationship among contaminated sites, climate change and reconciliation, air quality, and other environmental priorities
Yellowknife, NT – July 4, 2025 – At today’s meeting of the Canadian Council of Ministers of the Environment (CCME), federal, provincial, and territorial environment ministers discussed the relationship among contaminated sites, climate change and reconciliation. They also endorsed stronger ambient air quality standards for fine particulate matter, while reflecting on the impact of wildfires on air quality.
“Clean air is essential to our well-being. While air quality in the Northwest Territories is generally very good, we all share responsibility for clean air. The new air quality standards will contribute to healthy people and communities, as well as resilient ecosystems and a sustainable economy for the future,” said Jay Macdonald, Minister of Environment and Climate Change, Northwest Territories, who hosted his colleagues in Yellowknife.
Wildfires are one of the major contributors to air pollution, which can adversely affect the health of Canadians. Communities across Canada continue to be affected by devastating wildfires this year, which have been increasing in frequency, length, and severity. Ministers recognized the challenges faced by people and communities impacted by wildfire activity and expressed sincere appreciation for the heroic efforts of first responders, community members, and the Canadian Armed Forces. By approving updated Canadian Ambient Air Quality Standards (CAAQS) for fine particulate matter, ministers are supporting actions that will continue to improve air quality in Canada.
The CAAQS are objectives for the amount of a given pollutant in outdoor air. The CAAQS are a key element of the Air Quality Management System[1] (AQMS), a comprehensive and collaborative approach to drive air quality improvements. The CAAQS for fine particulate matter were developed by federal, provincial, and territorial governments collaboratively with representatives from industry, environmental and health non-governmental organizations and Indigenous organizations. Cleaner air means being able to spend more time outside, and a better quality of life for millions of Canadians.
In their meeting ministers shared examples of positive experiences of collaboration with Indigenous partners on the remediation and monitoring of contaminated sites, and examples of managing contaminated sites under more intense and frequent weather events.
Ministers discussed the opportunities and challenges of implementing extended producer responsibility (EPR) in remote communities. They recognized EPR as a key tool for shifting the responsibility for managing plastic and other waste materials from governments to producers. The conversation highlighted the importance of working towards implementing consistent EPR approaches within the jurisdictional authority of each government to improve efficiency, reduce duplication, and support a circular economy.
Ministers continued their discussions on climate change adaptation and building resilience. They reflected on recent climate-related events and their effects and highlighted their government’s proactive programs and policies.
“The challenges posed by climate change are urgent, complex, and interconnected with many other aspects of life in the Northwest Territories. Jurisdictions discussed useful examples to prepare communities and residents to withstand the impacts of climate change,” said Jay Macdonald, Minister of Environment and Climate Change.
Ministers emphasized the importance of working together across governments to protect the environment while strengthening Canada’s economy in the face of economic uncertainty. They also agreed that further conversations among them will include sustainable development and strong environmental stewardship in cooperation with Indigenous partners, respectful of provincial and territorial jurisdictions.
At the end of the meeting, Northwest Territories passed the presidency of CCME to Alberta, which will host the 2026 CCME meeting.
In a separate meeting on July 3, 2025, ministers met with Indigenous leaders from Northwest Territories and national Indigenous governments and organizations. They discussed remediation and management of contaminated sites in the context of Indigenous reconciliation and climate change. Indigenous leaders shared the importance of incorporating local and Traditional Knowledge into remediation activities and providing economic opportunities for Indigenous communities in the Northwest Territories.
Canada signs $300 million grant to launch one of the world’s largest Indigenous-led land conservation projects
Today, the Honourable Julie Dabrusin, Minister of Environment and Climate Change, and Danny Yakeleya, Chair of the Our Land for the Future Trust, signed a historic grant agreement to launch NWT: Our Land for the Future, one of the largest Indigenous-led land conservation initiatives in the world. Backed by $375 million in new investments, including $300 million from Canada and $75 million from philanthropic partners, NWT: Our Land for the Future will support Indigenous-led stewardship and conservation across some of the world’s most intact boreal and tundra ecosystems while creating hundreds of good, culturally meaningful jobs across the territory.
Indigenous partners to NWT: Our Land for the Future aim to conserve and steward up to 380,000 square kilometres of land and inland water, which is nearly 30% of the territory, including the protection and conservation of over 2% of Canada in new terrestrial and freshwater areas. This represents a space almost seven times the size of Nova Scotia.
Key activities and initiatives that could receive funding include:
- Indigenous Guardians, with support for operations, training, recruitment, and career development of Guardians who monitor ecological health, protect cultural sites, and safeguard sensitive areas and species.
- Establishing and stewarding Protected Areas, Conserved Areas, and Indigenous Protected and Conserved Areas (IPCAs), both new and existing.
- Climate action, including research, impact assessments, adaptation strategies, and mitigation activities related to climate change.
- Local and regional conservation-based economic developments, such as Indigenous harvesting economies, ecotourism, cultural tourism, traditional arts, and artisanal enterprises will not only contribute to environmental preservation but also provide sustainable economic opportunities for Indigenous communities and the region at large.
This groundbreaking partnership involves 21 Indigenous governments and organizations, the Government of Canada, the Government of the Northwest Territories, and private donors working together to advance Indigenous-led stewardship in the North for the benefit of all Canadians.
Today marks a pivotal moment in our efforts toward climate action and conservation. NWT: Our Land for the Future stands out as one of the largest Indigenous-led land conservation efforts globally, aiming to foster sustainable practices and economic growth throughout the Northwest Territories. This initiative, led and governed by Indigenous peoples, will advance large-scale, long-term conservation, stewardship, and economic development throughout the Northwest Territories. It will generate hundreds of good, culturally meaningful jobs, sustaining Indigenous ways of life for generations to come and drive climate action and resilience. This initiative shows the progress possible through a tailored regional approach, engaging communities to identify important ecological and cultural areas. This not only provides clarity for industries but also streamlines conservation planning and project approvals. Initiatives like this will make it possible to protect these natural spaces for future generations.
Quotes
“Indigenous peoples are recognized globally as leaders in environmental stewardship and NWT: Our Land for the Future is another powerful example of this leadership. This agreement represents unprecedented collaboration and moves NWT: Our Land for the Future from planning to action, allowing for meaningful progress toward our 30 by 30 goal. This initiative reflects our shared commitment to reconnection by protecting natural spaces and building a better future for generations to come.”
– The Honourable Julie Dabrusin, Minister of Environment and Climate Change
“This historic initiative is a powerful example of what we can achieve when we work together toward our common goals. By supporting Indigenous leadership, we are not just supporting stewardship of the land, we’re strengthening cultural identity, creating good jobs, conserving our ecosystems, and driving long-term prosperity in the North.”
– The Honourable Rebecca Alty, Minister of Crown-Indigenous Relations
“Signing this grant agreement marks a major shift. Our historic partnership is moving from the planning phase into action and implementation. Funds will soon flow to Indigenous partners to care for lands and waters and generate sustainable opportunities for the North. The vision we have created together is becoming a reality on the ground.”
– Danny Yakeleya, Chair of the Our Land for the Future Trust
Quick facts
Project Finance for Permanence is an innovative way of funding conservation by bringing together diverse partners, like governments and private donors, to support long-term, large-scale protection of land and inland water.
NWT: Our Land for the Future is one of four Project Finance for Permanence initiatives announced in December 2022. Together, these four initiatives could protect up to one million square kilometres, a significant contribution to Canada’s conservation goals.
The Our Land for the Future Trust Governance Committee, which is made up of Indigenous members, will be responsible for deciding how investments are distributed to Indigenous recipients each year for eligible activities that support the vision and objective of the Our Land for the Future agreement.
Canada helped achieve the Kunming–Montréal Global Biodiversity Framework, which includes a global target to conserve 30% of land and water by 2030, as well as recognizes and supports the critical role of Indigenous communities in halting biodiversity loss. The Project Finance for Permanence model is an innovative tool that fundamentally encompasses both priorities.
Related products
- Backgrounder: NWT: Our Land for the Future. A transformative Indigenous-led conservation initiative in the Northwest TerritoriesPartners
- Grant Agreement Signed to Launch $300M Investment in Indigenous-Led Conservation Initiative in NWT
- Landmark Indigenous-Led Conservation Agreement Reached to Protect Nature and People in the Northwest Territories
Industry Feedback Request: Scalable Floating Photocatalytic Technology for Wastewater Treatment
Industrial wastewater, especially from oil sands extraction, continues to present serious environmental challenges due to persistent organic pollutants such as naphthenic acids (NAs). A research team at the University of Alberta, led by Dr. Mohamed Gamal El-Din, is developing scalable, floating photocatalytic solutions aimed at supporting sustainable water management across industry sectors. As these solutions move closer to pilot-scale validation, we are actively seeking industry feedback to help identify potential barriers to adoption, particularly those associated with real-world deployment and long-term commercial viability. Your insights will help ensure that this emerging solution is not only technically effective but also aligned with the practical and economic realities of industrial water treatment applications.
To help out contact: Wole Akintola, kakintol@ualberta.ca
ESAA Member News
AGAT Foundation Launches 2025 Drive for Hope 50/50 Raffle in Support of Prostate Cancer Centre
CALGARY, June 25, 2025 – The AGAT Foundation is proud to announce the launch of its 2025 Drive for Hope 50/50 Raffle, now officially live and open to ticket purchasers across Alberta at rafflebox.ca/raffle/pcc.
All proceeds will directly support the Prostate Cancer Centre, helping fund essential services like the MAN VAN® — a mobile clinic which travels across Alberta, including rural and remote communities, to provide free, life-saving PSA blood tests for early prostate cancer detection — and other early detection and outreach initiatives.
“This is the perfect opportunity for Albertans to impact their communities,” says Marissa Reckmann, Director, AGAT Foundation, and CEO, AGAT Laboratories. “By purchasing a ticket, Albertans are not only entering to win half the total jackpot. They’re helping advance cancer care right here in communities across our province.”
As part of the Foundation’s year-long Drive for Hope campaign, this exciting fundraiser gives Albertans the chance to win big while making a meaningful impact on men’s health.
Every ticket sold supports life-saving care and helps reduce barriers to screening across the province.
The Drive for Hope 50/50 Raffle features three key draw dates:
- Bonus Prize Draw #1: June 30, 2025
- Bonus Prize Draw #2: July 31, 2025
- Grand Prize Draw: August 21, 2025, at the AGAT Priddis Greens Charity Classic
Each Bonus Prize winner will receive:
- A LaunchPad Golf suite experience at the Heritage Pointe location
- Including: two (2) hours in a private suite and two (2) shareable menu items
Ticket prices:
- 1 for $10
- 10 for $50
- 50 for $100
- 250 for $250
Tickets are available exclusively to Alberta residents aged 18 and older.
Purchase yours today at: rafflebox.ca/raffle/pcc
DISCLAIMER
Raffle conducted under AGLC Licence #736397. All proceeds support the Prostate Cancer Centre, a registered charitable organization. The bonus prize draws will be held on June 30 and July 31, 2025, with the grand prize draw taking place on August 21, 2025. Bonus draws will take place at Prostate Cancer Centre, 6500 7007 15 St SW, Calgary AB, T2V 1P9 & Grand Prize Draw will be taking place at Priddis Greens Golf & Country Club. Tickets must only be sold and purchased within the province of Alberta to those 18 years of age and older. Bonus prizes are valued at approximately $200 each and cannot be redeemed for cash. A full list of prizes and prize details is available at https://www.rafflebox.ca/raffle/pcc.
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About AGAT Foundation
The AGAT Foundation is the charitable arm of AGAT Laboratories, dedicated to giving back to the communities we serve across Canada. Through meaningful partnerships, donations, and volunteer initiatives, the Foundation supports causes that align with our values—fostering education, health, environmental stewardship, and community well-being. Driven by a commitment to create lasting impact, the AGAT Foundation is proud to invest in the future of the people and places that surround us.
For more information about the AGAT Foundation or The AGAT Priddis Greens Charity Golf Classic, please visit agatfoundation.com or charityclassic.agatfoundation.com.
For enquires please contact:
About AGAT Laboratories
AGAT Laboratories is one of Canada’s largest analytical laboratory testing networks, servicing agri-food, energy, environmental, forensics, industrial, life sciences, mining, and transportation & construction industries. Operating internationally across a 40+ lab network, they offer clients Service Beyond Analysis, including strategic advice and a multidisciplinary approach across sectors and specialties.
Visit agatlabs.com/about to learn more.
About Prostate Cancer Centre
The Prostate Cancer Centre (PCC), in partnership with the Southern Alberta Institute of Urology, is a charitable organization and world-class medical centre dedicated to the fight against prostate cancer. For more than 20 years, we’ve been advocating for equitable access to healthcare for all men across Alberta.
Visit prostatecancercentre.ca/the-centre/ to learn more.
New ESAA Members
ESAA welcomes the following new members. If you are not a member of ESAA you can join now via: https://esaa.org/join-esaa/
Driving Force Fleet Solutions
9803 34 Avenue
Edmonton, AB T6E 5W8
Phone: (780) 292-6883
Gordon Smith, Business Development Associate
gsmith@drivingforce.ca
Your partner for vehicle rentals, sales, leasing and fleet management, we offer a wide range of vans, cars and commercial trucks for rent, sale or lease near you—in almost every corner of Canada.
Intrinsyx Environmental
1237 Midas Way
Sunnyvale, CA 94085
Phone: (970) 319-3316
Christopher Cohu
chris@intrinsyx.com
Intrinsyx Environmental uses endophyte technology combined with resilient tree cultivars to provide an engineered system that can successfully remediate the most challenging polluted sites. In addition to remediation, we support restoration and reclamation of damaged ecosystems. Our proprietary microbes inoculate plants to degrade chlorinated solvents, PCBs, hydrocarbons, pesticides, and more in soil, groundwater, and surface water, offering a cost-effective, sustainable, and regenerative approach. We have a Strategic Alliance with Earthmaster Environmental Strategies Inc. in Canada.
Upcoming Industry Events
Fall 2025 SST Training Courses
Equilibrium Environmental has scheduled two options for Subsoil Salinity Tool (SST) courses for the dates shown below.
Full 4 day certification course
This 4 day course includes over three days of instruction on theory, software tool operation, and case studies, with the exam on the fourth day (four-hour comprehensive exam). Students achieving a passing mark (80%) will obtain EPA certification and a certificate number registered at EPA for submitting SST assessments. The course will include instruction on the newest Version 3.0 including the subsoil SAR/sodium module, along with some comparisons to the previous version to provide context for the numerous updates/upgrades in Version 3.0. It is not mandatory for practitioners who are already certified in a previous version of the tool to retake the full certification course/exam, though it is highly recommended to retake the course as a refresher but with no exam.
Dates: Tue Sept 9 – Friday Sept 12, 2025
Location: Online
1 day overview course
This 1 day overview course will provide an overview of the SST, and is intended for a range of audiences for whom a high-level understanding of salinity impacts and techniques for their investigation and remediation is important but who do not require specific formal certification. This could include producers, project managers, field investigators, representatives of various government or regulatory agencies, or a range of other positions. For those who require formal certification to use the SST and sign-off on assessments submitted to EPA or AER, the full multi-day certification course (including exam) should be considered instead.
Dates: Tue Sept 16, 2025
Location: Online
Please visit www.eqm.ca for further information and registration forms, email SSTInfo@eqm.ca or contact Equilibrium Environmental at 403-286-9374 for other specific questions. Please do not respond to this email.
Wetlands in the Boreal Transition Zone – A Wetlands in the Boreal Workshop Series
Start Date: Aug 12, 2025
End Date: Aug 13, 2025
Ducks Unlimited Canada and the Lakeland Industry and Community Association (LICA) are teaming up to host an exciting two-day workshop all about wetlands in the Beaver River Watershed!
Location: Lac La Biche, Alberta
Exact venue and field sites to be confirmed closer to the event date
Dates: August 12 & 13, 2025
Doors Open: 8:30 a.m.
Programming Begins: 9:00 a.m.
Cost: Free
Lunch provided
Day 1
We’ll start indoors with a deep dive into Alberta’s incredible variety of wetlands. You’ll learn about the Alberta Water Act and the Alberta Wetland Policy, and how they apply to you. We’ll also explore the many opportunities and resources available for wetland restoration and replacement.
In the afternoon, we’ll take it outside! Put your new knowledge into action as we identify different wetland types in the field and chat about the valuable services wetlands provide to our communities and environment.
Day 2
This day is all about experiencing and enjoying wetlands. We’ll explore the beautiful wetlands around Lac La Biche, connect with others, and discuss the opportunities, challenges, and ecosystem benefits wetlands bring to the LICA region.
We are excited to provide this workshop free of charge to participants, thanks to the Alberta Government’s Watershed Restoration and Resiliency Program.
Website Link To Register: https://www.cclmportal.ca/
Smart Remediation 2026 – Call for Abstracts
Call for abstracts & panel topics, super early bird tickets on sale, and SMART Alberta and BC Teaser!
You’re invited to submit an abstract to present a technical talk or to participate on a panel session at our 2026 Seminar Series. The current locations and dates for 2026 are:
Toronto: January 29, 2026
Ottawa: February 12, 2026
Vancouver: TBA
Calgary &/or Edmonton: TBA
Call for Abstracts & Panel Topics
Abstracts should be no more than 500 words and include a presentation description and presenter biography. If you are interested in submitting an abstract or have any questions, please contact Bruce Tunnicliffe. Please submit your abstract/presentation to info@smartremediation.com by September 19, 2024.
SMART is coming back to Alberta and British Columbia!
For more information, please email us at info@smartremediation.com or visit www.smartremediation.com.
ESAA Job Board
Check out the new improved ESAA Job Board. Members can post ads for free.
Current Listings:
- Senior Technical Specialist – Summit
- Environmental Specialist – Summit
- Senior Environmental or Geotechnical Engineer – Trace Associates Inc.
- Director, Geotechnical Engineering – Trace Associates Inc.
- Reclamation Specialist – AECOM
- Intermediate/Senior Environmental Specialist – Summit
- Business Development Manager – Prairies – Milestone Environmental Contracting Inc.
- Site Investigation & Remediation Team Lead – Stantec
- Project Manager, Environmental Services – Stantec
- Project Manager -Contaminated Sites – Stantec
- Intermediate Environmental Specialist – Summit
- Sales Specialist – Environmental and Geotechnical Instrumentation – Rice Resource Technologies
- Human Resources Business Partner – Trace Associates Inc.