aboutREMEDIATION partnered with the Canadian Brownfields Network, government agencies and private industry to develop the Ontario Municipal Brownfields Redevelopment Toolbox as a pilot project for Canadian communities. According to Tammy Lomas-Jylhä, General Manager, aboutREMEDIATION, "This resource guide has been prepared to assist municipalities in understanding the process of redevelopment and creating an awareness of the significant role they play in motivating and championing brownfields redevelopment in their communities. Municipalities can use and adapt components of the Toolbox to address their specific needs".

"The emerging interest in Brownfield redevelopment has created a real need for municipalities and other interested parties to understand these opportunities in order to respond effectively and creatively", says Harry Dahme, Senior Partner, Gowling Lafleur Henderson LLP. In Ontario, municipalities are starting to "re-think" community growth and planning by incorporating concepts of "re-use", and "re-vitalization" into Community Improvement Plans. But, many of these municipalities are in the early stages of brownfield redevelopment and require assistance, resources and tools to guide them through the process. "The Brownfields Toolbox was developed to address this need and focuses on the common elements of many recently developed brownfield strategies", notes Dave Harper, Brownfields Practice Leader, Jacques Whitford Environmental Ltd.

The Ontario Brownfields Toolbox is comprised of three components. The 10 Key Elements of a Redevelopment Strategy describes the basic elements municipalities should consider when creating a vision for community improvement and brownfields redevelopment. The Brownfields Decision Tree outlines the steps to redevelopment in a flow chart format, in accordance with the legislative and policy framework that municipalities must operate within. The 5 Steps to Redevelopment is the foundation of the Brownfields Toolbox and focuses on Community Readiness, Evaluation, Transaction, Implementation and Site Management. Common challenges and issues are identified in each step, along with practical tips and solutions to help municipalities address them.

"Gowling Lafleur Henderson was a proud participant in drafting the Toolbox. We hope that municipalities and others find it to be a useful resource that increases the redevelopment of underutilized properties and lands", states Harry Dahme.

"The Toolbox will allow progressive municipalities to partner with creative developers and property owners to benefit from the redevelopment of Brownfields sites within their communities. Jacques Whitford enjoyed the opportunity to be a Toolbox partner, and supports brownfield revitalization by assessing and quantifying environmental risks", says Dave Harper.

Plans are underway to expand and customize the Toolbox to meet the needs of other stakeholders and provinces and to accelerate brownfields redevelopment across Canada. Opportunities are available for companies to participate in the Toolbox by showcasing and promoting their products and services, and assisting in the development of expanded versions.