Management of Excess Soil

We have seen a tremendous amount of change in recent months and we want to remind you that effective July 1st, 2020, much of the new On-Site and Excess Soil Management Regulation, the Soil Rules, and amendments to Ontario’s Waste Management and Brownfield regulations will be in force. These new laws will put considerably more environmental requirements on companies involved in excavating, moving, processing, and placing soil.

Change is here and owners have more liability associated to them, both through their firms’ corporate balance sheets and beyond to their personal assets. Costing of projects, supply chain due diligence, and scheduling of trades are part of the changes.

The construction industry is in the midst of a seismic shift. We know that there will be winners and losers. Firms that are addressing their risk management processes will be able to ensure they are seen in the best light possible. These changes need to flow down to their supply chain too.

We are already seeing this pay off. This upfront shift is serving construction firms well. Allowing them to be better positioned not just from a legal standpoint but also in the eyes of their insurance partners, clients, and internal and external stakeholders.

From how your employees and the community see you, to how you are perceived by your insurance partners, all of this tells the story of your firm, your culture and how you incorporate these changes to your new policies and procedures.

If you have questions about the changes to excess soil management in Ontario, the excess soil panel listed below is happy to provide additional information to you:

Matt Gardner, Partner, Willms & Shier Environmental Lawyers LLP  
Grant Walsom, Partner, QP, XCG Consulting Limited 
J.P. Marini, President, Terra Nova Environmental Services Inc. 

Sponsors:
Clark Thomas, SVP Marsh Construction Services 
Judi Smith, VP Marsh