Brownfields Transforming Liabilities into Assets

Abstract

CANADA COULD GAIN as much as $7 billion in public benefits if the thousands of contaminated properties that litter its cities and towns were cleaned up and returned to productive use. The National Round Table on the Environment and the Economy recently proposed a package of measures designed to transform Canada’s brownfields into economically productive, environmentally healthy and socially vibrant centres of community life. With the coordinated efforts of all levels of government, the private sector and community organizations, many of Canada’s derelict properties can become economic engines. The national brownfields redevelopment strategy takes aim at these long-standing legal, financial and community concerns through a mix of strategic public investment, regulatory relief, technical support and public education.