CaDCR staff writer
Milestone Environmental Contracting Inc. has been awarded a $29.2-million contract for stage three of the Randle Reef contaminated sediment remediation project, a collaboration with the Mississaugas of the Credit Business Corporation.
Randle Reef, in Hamilton Harbour was once the largest contaminated sediment site on the Canadian side of the Great Lakes. However, the project has received $150 million from the federal and provincial governments, City of Hamilton, Region of Halton, City of Burlington, Hamilton-Oshawa Port Authority, and Stelco.
Work on Stage three started in August, focusing on water treatment at the site. Preparations for large-scale production are underway, including the movement of hundreds of truckloads of materials. Project completion is targeted for January 2025.
Milestone has managed more than 615,000 cubic metres of contaminated sediment at Randle Reef. The scope of work for phase three will include installation of a multi-layer environmental cap, serving as the conclusive step to isolate contaminants and restore the ecological balance of the region.
“The remarkable progress achieved at the Randle Reef site so far is something I am very proud our team has been a part of” said Mark Seaman, founding partner of Milestone Environmental Contracting Inc. “We are excited to be collaborating and working with Mississaugas of the Credit Business Corporation to complete this last project phase that will hold enduring positive impacts for the harbour and community for this and future generations.”
Recognizing that the upcoming project phase would take place on the traditional and treaty lands of the Mississaugas of the Credit, Milestone proactively initiated a long-term partnership with the Mississaugas of the Credit Business Corporation. This partnership extends beyond the current project, encompassing all future ventures within their traditional and treaty lands, with the aim of fostering significant economic reconciliation for this First Nation.
“Our Nation is pleased that Canada has set this important precedent for the Mississaugas of the Credit to benefit from economic activity on our Traditional Territory,” said Chief R. Stacey Laforme. “We thank Ministers Duclos, Guilbeault, Piccini and Mayor Howarth for their leadership to ensure our Nation has been included in this important project.”
Milestone has worked with Indigenous partners since its inception in 2010, but its founding partners and key team members have more than 30 years experience collaborating with Indigenous communities. Collaborations include remediation projects across Canada, including: Corbeau Hydroelectric Station, Zibi Soil Remediation, Former Fraser Cedar Mill, Slesse Creek, Giant Mine, and many more.
“We are proud partners in eight successful Indigenous partnerships; some of which have been active since 2016,” said Eric Pringle, CEO and managing partner of Milestone Environmental Contracting.
