The inaugural CANECT West conference marked a significant milestone for the Canadian environmental compliance community as the long-running CANECT event series successfully expanded into western Canada with its new event held November 19–20 at the Holiday Inn & Suites Calgary South Conference Centre.
The two-day conference brought together industry leaders, regulators, legal experts and practitioners for an in-depth program tailored to the regulatory landscape of Alberta, British Columbia and the broader western region. Across both days, CANECT West delivered the depth, quality and practical relevance that attendees have come to expect from CANECT’s Ontario events, while focusing on the unique regulatory environment and industry challenges of western Canada.
Early feedback from attendees underscored the strong regional appetite for high-quality, in-person environmental compliance training and networking. It sets the stage for CANECT West to become a key annual event for western Canadian environmental professionals seeking timely insights, regulatory clarity and practical tools to support compliance and due diligence.
The conference started with the course Environmental Compliance and Regulation West, which offered participants practical tools for navigating the increasingly complex environmental regulatory landscape across western Canada. Co-chaired by Sharon G.K. Singh and Claire Lingley of McMillan LLP, the course delivered both foundational knowledge and current updates relevant to professionals at any stage of their career.
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Speakers from across the sector contributed insights into the core regulatory frameworks governing B.C. and Alberta, the roles of provincial and federal regulators, and the compliance challenges that organizations most frequently encounter. Presenters included McMillan LLP, WSP Canada, RWDI, GeoMarine Environmental Consultants, and the BC Energy Regulator.
Topics ranged from changes to environmental assessment processes and new climate policies — including low-carbon fuel standards, plastics rules and PFAS regulation — to evolving approaches in cumulative effects and water-related oversight. The regulator’s perspective on wind, solar and hydrogen development highlighted the growing influence of new energy sectors on compliance expectations.
Technical specialists from RWDI addressed the persistent challenge of environmental modelling in western Canada’s complex terrain, exploring the balance between site-specific modelling and generalized regulatory tools, data quality limitations and strategies for working with prescriptive models in non-prescriptive ways.
A presentation on Extended Producer Responsibility from Brai Pointon of RWDI offered clarity on regulatory roles and emerging requirements, particularly in Alberta, where changes are reshaping obligations for producers and municipalities. Discussions on Indigenous–industry partnerships examined the duty to consult, trends in collaboration and how compliance considerations are embedded in benefit agreements and joint ventures.
A well-received segment on Phase I Environmental Site Assessments from Ian Hattie with WSP Canada, clarified common misconceptions in standards and guided attendees through best practices to reduce risks and improve audit performance.
Calum Bonnington of GeoMarine Environmental Consultants continued the afternoon discussion with a presentation focusing on strategies and lessons learned from large and complex projects. Bonnington stressed that environmental teams need to be involved early in the project process, and that companies should set realistic and achievable goals that are aligned with expectations and compliance obligations.
The day concluded with a panel discussion and audience Q&A on various topics, including: ESG reporting expectations, anticipated regulatory shifts, and the role that artificial intelligence is expected to have on environmental professionals, especially those entering the workforce.
A well-attended networking reception, generously sponsored by Nimonik, capped off Day 1 of CANECT West and allowed attendees and speakers continue the day’s discussions and connect over food and drink.
Day 2 of CANECT West
The second day of CANECT West shifted to Environmental Liability Management 101, chaired by Anand Srivastava of Willms & Shier Environmental Lawyers LLP. With environmental liability an increasingly significant operational and financial consideration for companies, the course examined how supervisors, managers and coordinators can proactively identify, manage and mitigate liability risks.
Guest speakers from Alberta Environment and Protected Areas and the Alberta Energy Regulator provided a comprehensive overview of the province’s contaminated sites regulatory system, including the Alberta Energy Regulator’s intake processes, compliance assessments and transparency mechanisms.
A case study presentation from Graham Construction offered a detailed account of embedding environmental compliance throughout the project cycle — in this case a bridge construction project in Yukon. Various challenges and permitting requirements were discussed, as well as the solutions and strategies employed by Graham Construction to ensure the project’s success.
A presentation on data integrity from Brody Andersen of Bureau Veritas highlighted the importance of robust technical documentation, long-term liability considerations, and the role of advanced laboratory capabilities and formal sign-off protocols in ensuring reliable and defensible environmental reporting.
VEI Contracting’s Ben Sweet highlighted current trends and best practices in remediation and risk management, including advancements in technology and contracting approaches. Sweet also shared practical insights from the field, including several case studies illustrating new technologies and techniques.
A candid discussion on current challenges in site assessment and remediation from Trace Associates addressed the realities of progressing difficult sites to closure, common pitfalls in today’s environmental scopes of work and practical tips for preventing delays.
Anand Srivastava then led attendees through a legal deep dive into environmental risk management, due diligence, inspections, investigations, trial processes, available defences, sentencing trends and case law updates. These topics reinforced the legal stakes and procedural complexities associated with environmental incidents and liabilities and highlighted the importance of continuing education and investing into environmental teams.
Srivastava wrapped up the day with case law examples of companies that were successful in employing a due diligence defence for environmental charges, as well as for examples where advancing a due diligence defence was unsuccessful.
The CANECT team would like to thank everyone who attended this new event in Calgary, especially the speakers for dedicating their time to participate and connect with attendees. We look forward to welcoming participants back to Calgary next year as we continue building a strong western Canada–focused event.
