The Brownie Awards 2025 highlighted the groundbreaking achievements of Canada’s environmental and redevelopment leaders—professionals who are transforming contaminated brownfield sites into vibrant residential, commercial, and community assets. As demand for developable land continues to rise, these projects demonstrate the essential role of brownfield cleanup in supporting housing growth, economic revitalization, and environmental sustainability.
Hosted on November 13, 2025, the sold-out gala welcomed 300 industry colleagues to the Delta Marriott Hotel in Toronto for the 26th annual celebration. The evening was expertly emceed by Todd Latham, President of Actual Media Inc., whose warm and witty delivery set an engaging tone for the night. The awards are jointly presented by the Canadian Brownfields Network (CBN)—a national non-profit supporting brownfield practitioners—and Actual Media Inc., parent company of Environment Journal.
A Gathering of Canada’s Brownfield Visionaries
Attendees included an influential mix of environmental innovators, remediation specialists, planners, developers, and community champions dedicated to cleaning up polluted lands across Canada. The Honourable Todd McCarthy, Ontario’s Minister of Environment, Conservation and Parks delivered a heartfelt address, acknowledging the profound impact that brownfield professionals have on urban renewal and environmental protection.
Keynote Spotlight: Clean Energy & Inclusive Redevelopment
The keynote address was delivered by Chris Henderson, CEO and Curator of Transformative Energy, who energized the audience with his presentation on Powerful Projects. As the founder of Indigenous Clean Energy, Henderson underscored the strong alignment between brownfield redevelopment and Indigenous-led clean energy initiatives. His message emphasized how reclaiming contaminated land can catalyze sustainable economic growth and empower communities nationwide.
Brownie Awards 2025 Winners
This year’s award recipients showcased exceptional innovation, collaboration, and community-focused redevelopment. Projects ranged from municipal-scale policy initiatives to major infrastructure transformations and neighbourhood-defining revitalizations.
Category Winners
- REPROGRAM – Legislation, Policy & Program Initiatives
Guelph: Removing Environmental Barriers at a Municipal-Wide Scale – Guelph, ON - REMEDIATE – Technological Innovation
PCB Free Product Boundary Control and Encapsulation – Mississauga, ON - REMEDIATE – Sustainable Remediation
Pétromont: Réhabilitation environnementale d’un ancien terrain d’usine – Varennes, QC - RESTRATEGIZE – Partnership & Community Engagement
Inuit Capacity Building Program for Remediation of a Former – Coral Harbour, NU - REBUILD – Building-Scale Project Development
Charlie West – Kitchener, ON - RENEW – Neighbourhood-Scale Project Development
Richmond Yards – Halifax, NS - REFOCUS – Alternative Benefits & Vision
Dow’s Lake Revitalization – Ottawa, ON
Special Distinction Awards
- Best Small-Scale Project
University of Ottawa, Faculty of Health Sciences – Ottawa, ON - Best Large-Scale Project
Galleria on the Park – Toronto, ON - Best Overall Project
Biidaasige Park – Toronto, ON - Brownfielder of the Year
Joe Chowaniec – Special Advisor, Environmental Services Association of Alberta 
Looking Ahead to the Brownie Awards 2026
The 2025 ceremony reinforced the crucial importance of transforming contaminated brownfields into safe, productive places to live, work, and invest. With Canada’s growing need for housing and sustainable land development, brownfield redevelopment remains a strategic pillar of environmental and economic progress. The industry now looks forward with anticipation to the Brownie Awards 2026, where next-generation projects will once again take center stage.
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