CBN Press Release

PRESS RELEASE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

GREENING THE CANADIAN URBAN LANDSCAPE - THE BROWNFIELD NETWORK

CPPI, CREA among an influential group that is raising the profile of underutilized property in Canada.

October 16, 2007 (MONTREAL) - A national network of associations, corporations and individuals involved in the remediation and redevelopment of property is calling upon the Federal, Provincial and Municipal governments to speed up the redevelopment of underutilized and undervalued sites, or "Brownfields" in Canada.

The Canadian Brownfield Network (CBN) engages hundreds from both private and public sectors and is the focal point for brownfields in Canada. CBN Executive Members represent the diversity of organizations that have a significant role in the success of brownfield redevelopment and these include Canadian Petroleum Products Institute (CPPI), Cement Association of Canada, Ontario Centre for Environmental Technology Advancement, Canadian Urban Institute and the Canadian Real Estate Association (CREA). These 'Partners in Canadian Brownfield Redevelopment' along with two CBN Corporate Members, ReNew Canada magazine and Kilmer Brownfield Equity Fund, have come together to manage the contribution of skills and funding that drive brownfield remediation and redevelopment in Canada. The goal of this national group is to provide research, advocacy and clarity on issues related to brownfields.

The CBN will revisit the NRTEE recommendations and provide expert opinion and replicable case studies to the property owners, managers, developers and governments responsible for Canadian real estate's best and highest use. Bonnie Prior, executive member and Commercial Council General Manager of CREA says "The Canadian Brownfields Network will work closely with the various stakeholders to help address the significant remediation, liability and financial issues that have a negative impact on the revitalization of Canadian communities."

The CBN is needed because the regulatory and financial uncertainty typically associated with brownfields in Canada can only be solved by many people, from multiple sectors, working together. "The revitalization of past industrial use property continues to be impeded by uncertain liability factors. Greater certainty for all stakeholders, in all jurisdictions will unlock the significant benefits that redevelopment offers over greenfield development," says George Vincent of CPPI and an executive member of the CBN.

CBN Members are gathering this week with other Brownfield stakeholders at the Palais des congres in downtown Montreal for a two-day conference where they will hear commitments from the executive members regarding a three year Strategic Plan for the CBN.

"The three-year strategic plan will enable the CBN to reach a wider range of stakeholders and provide the Federal and Provincial governments with a one-window access to expert opinion and advice for the development and implementation of effective regulations and policies" says Tammy Lomas-Jylha, of OCETA and an executive member of the CBN.

The CBN will meet regularly in person and online to encourage collaboration among industry stakeholders to step forward and add their own voices to the network and help supply the skills and energy required to redevelop brownfield properties.

Visit www.CanadianBrownfieldsNetwork.ca for more information.

- 30 -

Backgrounder:

The Canadian Brownfields Network (CBN) is a broad, nationally focused organization that advocates brownfields redevelopment as an essential component of sustainable communities and urban revitalization in Canada. The CBN engages government and industry, at all levels, in every province to create and raise "Canada's Voice for Brownfields Redevelopment".

The CBN is working with many partners in its efforts to help redevelop Brownfields. Support organizations include: Canadian Environmental Auditing Association (CEAA), Canadian Institute of Planners (CIP), Federation of Canadian Municipalities (FCM), Royal Architectural Institute of Canada (RAIC), British Columbia Ministry of Environment, Environmental Services Association of Alberta (ESAA), Montreal Centre of Excellence in Brownfields Rehabilitation (MCEBR-CEMRS), Ontario Centres of Excellence (OCE), Ontario Environment Industry Association (ONEIA), Ontario Professional Planners Institute (OPPI), RÉSEAU Environnement, SENECA College, University of Toronto, Institute for Environmental Studies, Atlantic Partnership in RBCA Implementation (Atlantic PIRI), New Brunswick Environmental Industry Association (NBEIA), Newfoundland and Labrador Environmental Industry Association (NEIA), International City/County Management Association (ICMA), Revitalization Institute.

Corporate members include: ReNew Canada magazine, Kilmer Brownfield Equity Fund LP, Quantum Environmental Group, City of Calgary, Golder Associates Ltd., XCG Consultants Ltd., AIG Environmental, Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation, Imperial Oil, IBI Group, Jacques Whitford, and Miller Thomson LLP.

Contact:

Tammy Lomas-Jylha
Executive Director
Canadian Brownfields Network
info@canadianbrownfieldsnetwork.ca
905-822-4133

Disponible en français