About SuRF Canada

Our Mission

The mission of SuRF Canada is to establish a Canadian network group to promote sustainable remediation that aims to give systematic consideration to the three dimensions of sustainability (social, economic and environmental), in decision-making about rehabilitation of and management of contaminated sites. The network will bring together public and private organizations and launch an information and awareness initiative across Canada.

What is Sustainable Remediation?

Sustainable remediation considers the environmental, social and economic impacts of a project to ensure an optimal outcome, while being protective of human and environmental health, both at a local level and for the larger community (SuRF Canada, 2012).

Environment

Society

Economy

SuRF Canada History

Remediation projects often come with a hidden cost: the impact of the clean-up itself. Cleaning up a contaminated property often requires the consumption of substantial energy, water, other natural resources; the emission of greenhouse gases; and the substantial disposal of wastes. It may also have social and economic impacts to the proponent and the community. Understanding the benefits and impacts of a remediation project allows for a more holistic approach to site remediation decision-making. To address these challenges, a group of environmental professionals organized the Sustainable Remediation Forum (SURF.

SURF has been meeting internationally since 2006 to advance sustainable clean-up practices and develop a vision, framework, and metrics to help bring sustainability to the environmental remediation industry. SuRF Canada was formed in 2011 by professionals from Canadien National, Public Works and Governmental Services Canada, Golder Associates and Aecom. The first workgroup meeting was held in Toronto in May 2011 with representatives from industry, provincial and federal government and academia. SuRF Canada rapidly grew to over 100 members including stakeholders from various academic institutions and regulatory agencies. Since then, SuRF Canada members have been present at Canada’s major environmental conferences, including RPIC Contaminated Sites regional and national workshops, Americana, Remtech and others.

SuRF members contributed to the integration of sustainable development principles in the FCSAP Federal Contaminated Sites Action Plan) program, and in Quebec’s Contaminated Sites Action Guide 2019 updated document, which brings the concept of sustainable remediation for the first time in provincial guidance. It states that 3 elements must guide remedial decisions: reduction of environmental liability, selection of solutions with minimal ecological footprint, and, if applicable, the beneficial reuse of excavated soils. It also mentions that the remediation work should restore as many uses as possible for the site, whether these are human or ecological.

In 2016, SuRF Canada hosted the 4th International Conference on
Sustainable Remediation (SustRem) in Montreal. In the wake of this event, the International Sustainable Remediation was formed.

The alliance aims to support the work of individual SuRF networks by:

Demonstrating a united purpose;
Cooperation in promoting the message of sustainable and resilient remediation globally;
Supporting the dissemination and adoption of sustainable remediation globally; and
Exhibiting collaboration to large global bodies such as the United Nations by working towards the Sustainable Development Goals.

In 2023, SuRF Canada was officially incorporated.

Get Involved

Our Board of Directors

OFFICERS

Francois Beaudoin
Ing., PMP | Associé Directeur de groupe d’affaire – Conformité SSE Est du Canada GHD

François Beaudoin is an engineering geologist with 22 years of experience as a consulting engineer in the field of environmental sciences. He holds a bachelor’s degree in Geological Engineering (B.Eng.) from École Polytechnique de Montréal. During his career, François Beaudoin has been involved in a wide range of projects across multiple geographies which have allowed him to develop a solid expertise in contaminant hydrogeology, site remediation, sustainability and climate change, hazardous materials management and air quality. Since 2012, François Beaudoin has held several leadership roles, including business group leader, key client account manager, and team leader at the North-American level. He is a seasoned trainer, mentor and communicator, who is passionate about teamwork, technical excellence, innovation, and integrating sustainability principles in everything he does. He is one of the founding members of the Sustainable Remediation Forum of Canada. He is currently a business group leader at GHD Consultants Ltée in Montreal.
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Francisco Perello
Ph.D., P.Eng. Program Director – Rail and Transportation

Francisco Perelló coordinates consultant programs and manages environmental engineering projects for a variety of clients in the rail and transportation sectors. This portfolio comprises of over 50 different sites with a wide range of environmental liabilities consisting of large hydrocarbon plumes, impacted foreshore sediments, remedial system design, planning, wastewater treatment plant operation and/or maintenance, ongoing monitoring and regulatory liaison, among other activities. He successfully manages consultant programs by anticipating challenges, identifying cost savings opportunities, working with regulatory agencies and stakeholders, conducting state-of-the-art R&D activities, and effective ongoing client communication.

He has over 25 years of experience in environmental consulting and has completed projects across Canada and Western USA, Latin America and Southeast Asia. During his professional career he has been directly involved in or managed hundreds of environmental projects from treating contaminated sediments in fresh water and marine settings, remediating impacted groundwater and soils as well as developing management strategies for many industrial and transportation facilities.

Mr. Perelló frequently speaks at various conferences and professional events. He volunteers on professional boards and for cultural groups and is a regular technical contributor to social media.

Francisco Perelló is known for his passion for innovative solutions.
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Stella Karnis
Stella Karnis is senior director of environment at Canadien National.

Stella Karnis is senior director of environment at Canadien National. She has 25 years of experience in the field of contaminated site remediation and environmental management. She holds a bachelors degree in environmental studies from the University of Waterloo and an Masters’ degree from University of Sherbrooke.
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Reanne Ridsdale
PhD Candidate at Toronto Metropolitan University and a current board member at Canadian Brownfields Network

Reanne Ridsdale is a PhD Candidate at Toronto Metropolitan University and a current board member at Canadian Brownfields Network and a board member at Sustainable Remediation Forum Canada. Her research focuses on how brownfields can be strategically redeveloped as vehicle for social justice in marginalized communities, specifically Indigenous communities. Sometimes, she is a sessional instructor at Brandon University, Manitoba. She lives in Manitoba with her two young kids and her husband
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Ian Hers
Ian Hers, Ph.D., P.Eng., CSAP; Hers Environmental Consulting, Inc. (HEC)

Dr. Ian Hers is the founder and Principal of Hers Environmental Consulting, with over 35 years consulting experience. Much of his practice focuses on methods and models for investigation for assessment and mitigation of soil vapour intrusion into buildings. Dr. Hers has developed numerous guidance on soil vapour intrusion and monitored natural attenuation locally and internationally, for organizations in US, Canada, and UK. He is a Contaminated Sites Approved Professional in BC, on the Board of SURF Canada, the Science Advisory Board for Contaminated Sites and serves as an Industry Affiliates Program member with Interstate Technology and Regulatory Council.
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