Media & Awards
Blog2024
It’s official, Keystone Environmental is a Great Place To Work!
We are proud to announce that we have been certified as a Great Place to Work (GPTW) after a thorough and independent analysis by @Great Place to Work Institute Canada. Based on direct feedback from employees, GPTW measures the level of trust in the workplace by focusing on five key dimensions: Credibility, Respect, Fairness, Pride and Camaraderie.
Keystone Environmental believes an excellent workplace is about having a high level of trust in our leaders, strong pride in our work, and the ability to enjoy the friendship of our colleagues. We take immense pride knowing that we are creating an amazing workplace culture and employee experience.
For more details about this program, visit: GreatPlaceToWork.ca
#GPTWCertified #GreatPlaceToWork #HaveFunAtWork #EnvironmentalConsulting #IndustryLeaders #TechnicalExperts
2023
Keystone Environmental Named one of Canada’s Top Small and Medium Employers for 2023
For the sixth consecutive year, Keystone Environmental is proud to once again be named one of Canada’s Top Small and Medium Employers for 2023. Now in its 10th year, Canada’s Top Small & Medium Employers is an editorial competition that recognizes the small and medium enterprises that offer the nation’s best workplaces and forward-thinking human resources policies.
Businesses were evaluated on eight criteria, which have remained consistent since the award’s inception:
- Physical Workplace;
- Work Atmosphere & Social;
- Health, Financial & Family Benefits;
- Vacation & Time Off;
- Employee Communications;
- Performance Management;
- Training & Skills Development; and
- Community Involvement.
Keystone Environmental’s strength is our people and is one of the main reasons for the company’s success. Thus, our award-winning policies have been developed with deep consideration to ensure an extraordinary workplace for our staff and their families.
We are grateful to our talented employees, whose hard work and commitment allows Keystone Environmental to continually adapt and grow into a dynamic company to serve our clients and their environmental projects.
Read the full article (pg. 38-39) on Keystone Environmental’s profile and to learn more about our internal programs that we are so proud of.
2022
Keystone Environmental Expands into Ontario
September 22, 2022
Keystone Environmental Ltd. is proud to announce the opening of a new office location in Ontario effective October 1, 2022.
With increasing demand of environmental services across the nation, we are committed to delivering technical excellence and prompt service delivery from coast to coast. This geographic expansion is an exciting move for our company since we do work with clients across Canada, and now we will have a team in the region and a home base.
The senior members of Keystone Environmental’s Ontario team all have strong technical backgrounds in Contaminated Sites, Risk Assessment and Risk Management, with a cumulative 47+ years of experience. We are proud to have these new environmental professionals join our team in these roles:
- Jeff Muir, B.Sc., P.Geo. (Ltd.), QPESA – Director, Ontario Operations
- Adam Dawe, B.Sc., P.Geo., QPESA/RA – Senior Project Manager & Risk Assessor
- Maja Mitrovic, M.Sc., P.Eng., QPESA – Senior Project Manager / Engineer
Our office location will be in Mississauga. Address and contact information are still being finalized.
If you have any questions, please reach out and we would be happy to discuss further.
We thank you for your continued support and business and look forward to serving you with our offices across Canada.
Keystone Environmental Featured in The Construction Source Canada Magazine
May 31, 2022
Keystone Environmental is proud to be the featured in The Construction Source Canada’s April edition. This feature article tells the great story of our company – our past and how we navigated the pandemic, the present and what we’re focused on, and our future and where we’re headed. See page 14 for this great read or this PDF
Keystone Environmental Named one of Canada’s Top Small and Medium Employers for 2022
April 5, 2022
Keystone Environmental is proud to once again be named one of Canada’s Top Small and Medium Employers for 2022. This is 
the fifth consecutive year the company has been awarded this title, making it one of the nation’s best workplaces with forward thinking human resources policies.
Businesses were evaluated on eight criteria: (1) Physical Workplace; (2) Work Atmosphere & Social; (3) Health, Financial & Family Benefits; (4) Vacation & Time Off; (5) Employee Communications; (6) Performance Management; (7) Training & Skills Development; and (8) Community Involvement.
Keystone Environmental’s strength is our people and is arguably one of the main reasons for the company’s success. Thus, our award-winning policies have been developed with deep consideration from our executive team to ensure an extraordinary workplace for our staff and their families.
We are grateful to our incredible employees, whose hard work, commitment, and devotion allows Keystone Environmental to continually evolve and grow into a dynamic company to serve our clients and their environmental projects.
Read the full article on Keystone Environmental’s profile and to learn more about our internal programs that we are so proud of.
#EnvironmentalConsulting #CanadasTopEmployer #TopEmployers2022 #TopSME #SME2022 #ComeWorkForUs
2021
Keystone Environmental enters into Partnership with Indoor Air Quality Specialists, Sterling IAQ
October 4, 2021
Burnaby, BC – October 4, 2021 – Keystone Environmental Ltd. is pleased to announce that they have entered a partnership with Sterling IAQ Consultants Ltd. (Sterling IAQ). This partnership supports Keystone Environmental’s vision to expand and provide a full range of services to their clients and partners. Sterling IAQ will be a division of Keystone Environmental.
See the full feature HERE.
Keystone Chosen as One of Canada's Best Employers for Recent Graduates
September 2021
In addition to being recognized earlier this year by Canada’s Top 100 Employers as one of Canada’s Top Small & Medium Employers, Keystone is proud to have been chosen by The Career Directory as one of Canada’s Best Employers for Recent Graduates for the 4th consecutive year!
See the full feature HERE.
2020
Keystone Environmental Project Stormwater Diversion from Wastewater Treatment System Featured in Innovation Magazine
June 2020
Keystone Environmental Ltd., project with Canadian National Railway (CN) was featured in the latest issue of Engineers and Geoscientists of BC (EGBC) Innovation Magazine.
See the full feature HERE.
Keystone Environmental Named One of Canada’s Top Small & Medium Employers for 3rd Consecutive Year
June 5, 2020
Keystone Environmental Ltd., the go to environmental consulting firm, announced today that it has once again been named one of Canada’s Top Small & Medium Employers by Mediacorp Canada Inc., for the third consecutive year.
We are grateful to not only receive this prestigious award once, but to receive it three years in a row is an incredible honour,” said Raminder Grewal, President of Keystone Environmental. “The timing of this acknowledgement, with the current state of the world, reminds us what an integral part our employees play in our continued success. We are grateful to each one of our incredible employees, whose hard work, dedication and loyalty has allowed Keystone Environmental to continue to evolve and improve how we work with each other and serve our clients, which is even more apparent as we work together to overcome the current obstacles we are facing.”
Keystone Environmental Statement Against Raciscm
May 22, 2020
Today with the Business Council of British Columbia we released our statement against the recent rise in subtle and overt acts of racism including attacks against British Columbians. The breadth of signatories and organizations support in the fight against racism is greatly appreciated.
Our collective stance against the growing incidences and overt racism in British Columbia and on the values that makes Canada a guiding light in the world should be applauded and celebrated as a strength. Your continued active participation will help end the hateful messages we see dividing us that divide us.
Keystone Environmental Named Top Employer at ECO Impact Awards
January 24, 2020
Keystone Environmental Ltd. ((Keystone Environmental)), the go to environmental consulting firm, announced today that they have been named Top Employer at the ECO Impact Awards yesterday in Calgary, Alberta.
Keystone Environmental, with assistance from Milestone Environmental Contracting, were retained by Canadian National Railway Company (CN) to design, develop, manage and monitor an innovative and first-of-a-kind approach to repurpose concrete rail ties into marine reefs marking the first time in the world that scrap concrete rail ties have been re-purposed for fish habitat enhancement. “Together we have pioneered new reef methodologies that minimize the reef footprint, while maximizing structure in the water column for fish and kelp,” said David Brogliatto, Senior Manager Environment, Western Division, CN Environment.
2019
Raminder Grewal is an EY Entrepreuner of the Year® 2019 Pacific Region finalist!
July 2019
For the second consecutive year, Keystone Environmental Ltd. is pleased to announce that Raminder Grewal, P.Eng, President of Keystone Environmental has been nameds as an EY Entrepreuner of the Year® 2019 Pacific Region finalist!
Stay tuned for more information when the winners are announced in October.
Keystone Environmental Named One of Canada’s Top Small & Medium Employers for 2nd Consecutive Year
April 12, 2019
Keystone Environmental Ltd., the go to environmental consulting firm, announced today that it has once again been named one of Canada’s Top Small & Medium Employers by Mediacorp Canada Inc., for the second year in a row.
We are grateful to not only receive this prestigious award once, but to receive it two years in a row is an incredible honour,” said Raminder Grewal, President of Keystone Environmental. “Receiving this acknowledgement again is due in part to our employees who play a big part in our success. We are grateful to each one of our incredible employees, whose hard work, dedication and loyalty has resulted in greater collaboration and consultation allowing Keystone Environmental to evolve and continuously improve the whole organization.”
What's the dirt on contaminated & greenfield sites?
The Developing a Contaminated/Greenfield Site session on Feb. 13 is a two-speaker session, that, say the presenters, will be of interest to property owners, developers and the architects and development managers who are working with such sites.
Speakers Kevin Wong and Jamie Slogan, both with Keystone Environmental in Burnaby, B.C. say their one-hour presentation will proceed in two parts.
Part One will be an overview of contaminated site development. Wong and Slogan will discuss the challenges of developing an environmentally hazardous site, including how to deal with the associated regulations and requirements, as well as the solutions that are available.
Part Two will deal with the ins and outs of developing a greenfield site. The presenters will discuss such topics that are relevant to greenfield development as setbacks from water courses, environmental impact assessments, species at risk and habitat assessment.
Wong is the department head of Keystone’s contaminated sites team. He has over 12 years of experience and provides senior-level expertise and project management for the performance of detailed site investigations, remediation planning and design, human health and ecological risk assessments and acquisition due diligence assessment.
He also helps clients negotiate with local and provincial regulators and approving agencies. Read More….
2018
Raminder Grewal, Keystone Environmental named Business Person of the Year
On Thursday November 1st, the Burnaby Board of Trade Excellence Awards named Raminder Grewal, Keystone Environmental Business Person of the Year!
The Burnaby Board of Trade works closely with the municipality of of Burnaby and plays a key part in the City’s economic development strategy. Bringing businesses together to develop strong network, represent the interest of the business community to local government, and foster economic development, which this year (2018) marked its 19th annual Excellence Awards.
Raminder & Keystone were named in the Business Person of the Year category which looks for a local business person who, through their personal vision, expertise, dedication and performance, is an outstanding role model for business development and excellence.
Photo Credit: Cameron Bowman
“Thank you to our team, who are committed to making Keystone a success and who without their strong work skills and dedication, this would not be possible.” Raminder Grewal, President.
Keystone Environmental named Adera Platinum Partner
We are excited to announce that Adera, who we have worked with for 15 years, has named Keystone Environmental one of their Platinum Partners.
Adera awards their Platinum Partnership to only their most valued partners. This honour is not awarded every year; rather, it is conferred when it has clearly been earned by the recipient. Platinum Partner status is awarded to a consultant, trade or supplier who has supported Adera’s business through collaboration, expertise and outstanding team work at the very highest level for at least 10 years. They see Platinum Partners as role models for their other Partners.
Keystone Environmental is the 9th platinum partner in Adera’s 49 year history!
2019 Canada's Best Employers for Recent Graduates
Keystone Environmental Ltd. has been selected for The Career Directory, our guide to entry-level recruitment for recent college and university graduates.
Published annually since 1992, The Career Directory is Canada’s longest-running and best-loved career guide for new graduates. Each year, the editorial team at the Canada’s Top 100 Employers project reviews thousands of employers to determine the academic qualifications they actively seek in younger job-seekers. The result is a wonderful resource that helps new graduates find student jobs that make the most of their university degree or college diploma.
Contaminated Site clean up costs balloon in BC
by Frank O’Brien / Western Investor
After the most recent update, B.C.’s Contaminated Sites Regulation (CSR) now covers 20,000 pages, and the costs to meet the requirements continue to increase, according to companies hired to decipher how the rules apply to real estate developers and owners.
On November 1, 2017, Stage 10 omnibus amendments to the CSR came into effect. It updated more than 8,500 environmental quality standards. The amendments changed concentrations deemed harmful for a broad range of contaminants and added a significant number of new ones.
Keystone Environmental Named One of Canada’s Top Small & Medium Employers
Keystone Environmental Ltd., the go to environmental consulting firm, announced today that it has been named one of Canada’s Top Small & Medium Employers by Mediacorp Canada Inc.
“We’re honoured to be recognized for this prestigious award,” said Raminder Grewal, President of Keystone Environmental. “While we work hard to help our clients create workable, easy-to-maintain solutions to their business needs, we never lose sight of the role that our employee’s play in our success. We are relentless in efforts to achieve a culture of innovation that provides lasting value to both our clients and our employees. We believe every employee’s opinion counts and that we all participate directly in the success of the company. Thank you to all of our incredible employees for their hard work and dedication.”
“This year, we’ve seen tremendous growth at many of the SME winners,” says Anthony Meehan, Publisher at Mediacorp. “It’s not uncommon to see year-over-year employment growth of 50% at some of the winners, providing tremendous advancement opportunities for their staff. It’s one of the reasons that small and medium employers have created more than 90% of the private-sector jobs in the past decade.”
2018 Canada's Best Employers for Recent Graduates
Keystone Environmental Ltd. has been selected for The Career Directory, our guide to entry-level recruitment for recent college and university graduates.
Published annually since 1992, The Career Directory is Canada’s longest-running and best-loved career guide for new graduates. Each year, the editorial team at the Canada’s Top 100 Employers project reviews thousands of employers to determine the academic qualifications they actively seek in younger job-seekers. The result is a wonderful resource that helps new graduates find student jobs that make the most of their university degree or college diploma.
Keystone Environmental named Finalist in Business of the Year
On Thursday November 1st, the Burnaby Board of Trade Excellence Awards named Keystone Environmental a Finalist for Business of the Year!
The Burnaby Board of Trade works closely with the municipality of of Burnaby and plays a key part in the City’s economic development strategy. Bringing businesses together to develop strong network, represent the interest of the business community to local government, and foster economic development, which this year (2018) marked its 19th annual Excellence Awards.
“Thank you to our team, who are committed to making Keystone a success and who without their strong work skills and dedication, this would not be possible.” Raminder Grewal, President.
Burnaby Business Excellence Awards Finalist
We are proud to announce we have been named a finalist in two categories for the Burnaby Board of Trade’s Burnaby Business Excellence Awards. The Burnaby Business Excellence awards is an award initiative of the Burnaby Board of Trade and the City of Burnaby which honours and celebrates businesses, entrepreneurs and not-for-profit organizations for their contributions to the local economy and community.
Keystone Environmental was named a finalist in the following categories:
Businessperson of the Year – For a local businessperson who, through their personal vision, expertise, dedication and performance, is an outstanding role model for business development and excellence.
Business of the Year – For a business that has made an outstanding contribution in the combined areas of business success, innovation and community service.
Raminder Grewal is an EY Entrepreuner of the Year® 2018 Pacific Region finalist!
Keystone Environmental Ltd., the go to environmental consulting firm, announced today that Raminder Grewal, President, is an EY Entrepreneur of the Year® 2018 Pacific Region finalist.
“I am honoured to be named a finalist for this award,” said Raminder Grewal, President of Keystone Environmental. “While Keystone Environmental works hard to help our clients create workable, easy-to-maintain solutions for their business needs, we never lose sight of the role that our employee’s play in the company’s success. At Keystone Environmental we believe every employee’s opinion counts and that we all participate directly in the success of the company. Thank you to all of our incredible employees for their hard work and dedication.”
Keystone helps out Cassie + Friends
by Janaya Fuller-Evans / Burnaby Now
Keystone Environmental is giving back in a big way, helping a Vancouver-based charity that helps kids and their families deal with juvenile arthritis and other rheumatic diseases.
The Burnaby environmental firm is giving $25,000 to Cassie and Friends, a grass roots charity started by the parents of a child with juvenile arthritis. Ten thousand of that is one-third of the $30,000 the company is donating to three charities for its 30th anniversary.
Celebrating Keystone Environmental's 30th Anniversary
30 years ago, Keystone Environmental had one Canadian employee (Bill Donald) and occupied a single office in the Koppers International Canada Limited offices on Shellbridge Way, Richmond. Initially, Keystone Environmental pursued business opportunities not only in the Metro Vancouver area, but throughout BC, and into Alberta and Ontario and in the western United States.
Focusing on people and performance, Keystone Environmental has grown to 95 employees and is a trusted partner to our clients across Canada, managing various environmental requirements of resource and development projects.
“Thank you to all of our staff and clients who have helped, supported and contributed to Keystone over the years! We are excited to reach this milestone and look forward to the continuing growth we see in the future.” Raminder Grewal, President., “We are excited for the next 30 years.”
New Contaminated Land-Rules Affect Mixed-Use Projects
Western Investor
A movement towards mixing residential into the redevelopment of old commercial and industrial sites has become more challenging after an update to B.C.’s contaminated-site regulations.
The new rules came into affect November 1, 2017, and cover any B.C. development that has not achieved a certificate of compliance from the B.C. Ministry of Environment.
“[The new regulations] are likely to add further delays and costs for property owners and developers seeking to develop, purchase or sell land deemed polluted,” Avison Young noted in its Fall 2017 Metro Vancouver Industrial Overview report on the subject.
Overall, the new regulations are meant to streamline the cleanup of polluted sites, said Jason Wilkins, a contaminated-sites approval expert with Hemmera Envirochem Inc. of Vancouver.
“[Most] developers should not face further delays,” Wilkins said, noting that contaminated site cleanups in Vancouver date back to the sale of the Expo lands more than 30 years ago. “The process is the same, only some standards have changed.” Read More….
2017
New Keystone Environmental Shareholders
Keystone Environmental Ltd. (Keystone Environmental) a privately-owned, British Columbia based environmental consulting firm, announces that 5 exceptional employees have become Keystone Environmental’s newest shareholders. These individuals were selected because of their business acumen, integrity, and cooperative team spirit.
“We’re proud to have these five talented and hardworking individuals join our ownership team,” says Keystone Environmental President Raminder Grewal. “They have all proven to be excellent performers and have made significant contributions to our clients business needs. I’m certain they will continue to be key contributors to the growth of our company. Our missions is Focusing on people and performance, we will be the Go-To Environmental Consulting Firm. Our dedicated team members enable us to take another critical step towards achieving our mission.”
At Keystone Environmental, we know that the purpose of each project is to support our client’s business plan. Understanding how our work fits into the overall business plan enables Keystone Environmental to drive our work towards fulfillment of that purpose. Our newest shareholders will continue to make a difference for our staff and clients.
New Shareholders
- Jason Christensen, P.Eng.
- Keree Orso, R.P.Bio.
- Richard Wells, P.Eng.
- Kevin Wong, P.Eng.
- Richard Johns, P.Eng.
Bill Donald remains a Director and Chairman of the Keystone Environmental Board ensuring continuity and continuing engagement with clients, management and staff of Keystone Environmental. Raminder Grewal will continue as President and the senior executive of the firm. Francisco Perello will continue his role as Director of Transportation.
These changes will enable us to continue to provide quality and solutions oriented services to our clients while maintaining a niche high energy culture that our clients expect.
Metro Vancouver Industrial Market under Pressure as Rising Costs, Low Vacancy Redefine Expectations
Avison Young
Metro Vancouver’s rapidly expanding industrial market has continued to record robust and rapid increases in absorption, lease rates and pricing during the past 12 months against a backdrop of near-record low vacancy, changes in government, rising interest rates and swelling construction and land costs.
Industrial vacancy in Metro Vancouver was 1.6% at the end of the third quarter of 2017, down slightly from the 1.8% recorded 12 months earlier. Vacancy continued to tighten further in 2017 despite the addition of 3.1 million square feet (msf ) of new inventory. Metro Vancouver’s industrial market has consistently expanded on an annual basis in recent years as vacancy has continued to decline.
Read More….
Archives
2016 Environmental Managers Association (EMA) Award for Remediation and Restoration
Fellowship from Engineers Canada
Keystone Environmental won the 2016 Environmental Managers Association (EMA) Award for Remediation and Restoration for the Lawson Foreshore Enhancement Project.
The project was performed for the District of West Vancouver and consisted of raising the foreshore between Ambleside Pier and Lawson Pier in West Vancouver by 1 m to reduce flooding of Lawson Park during King Tides. Work was accomplished by using soil from another construction site at the West Vancouver Municipal Hall and placing the soils under the shoreline with a protective cap of the existing native shoreline material. The project was successful in improving the shoreline topography and habitat conditions in consideration of potential sea level rise. Media coverage of the works included airtime on CTV news in January.
The project team consisted of a coordinated effort between Keystone Environmental’s biology and engineering departments (Warren Appleton, Mark Sessions, Erika Paradis, Dave Langill, Krista Morden, Jeff Thorlacius, Barry Warren, Thuy Wong, Robert Porter) and its extended team; Integrated Planning and Consulting provided construction supervision and Headwater Management was the contractor performing the works.
Keystone Environmental would like to thank the District of West Vancouver for their hard work throughout the project. In particular, we would like to thank the Manager of Environment and Sustainability Sandra Bicego and her colleagues for their support in making this project a success. We would also like to thank the participation and input provided by all 3rd party consultants, stakeholders, and regulatory agencies throughout the process.
Congratulations to everyone on a job well done.
Bill Donald Awarded Fellowship of Engineers Canada
Fellowship from Engineers Canada
Keystone Environmental is proud to announce that on Thursday, March 12, 2015, our CEO, Bill Donald will be awarded a Fellowship from Engineers Canada. The fellowship honours individuals who have given noteworthy service to the engineering profession through their work with either Engineers Canada or its provincial and territorial engineering regulatory bodies.
Bill graduated from the University of Manitoba’s Civil Engineering program in 1973 and received his M. Sc. in engineering in 1975. He has spent most of his career in environmental consulting, working in Canada and the US. In 1988 he established Keystone Environmental in Canada where he is now CEO. Bill has been volunteering with APEGBC since the early 1980s as well as with other business and non-business organizations including the Urban Development Institute, Mortgage Investment Association, Lambda Alpha – a land economics society, and the Richmond Country Club where he is a member of the Board and the Executive. In the late 1990s he worked with the MOE and APEGBC to establish the Roster of Approved Professionals and later was appointed to the Board of the Contaminated Sites Approved Professionals society.
Engineers Canada has created this Fellowship to identify and recognize individuals who have contributed significantly to the profession of engineering, and to create a group of people who continue to contribute to and advance recognition of the profession of engineering.
Congratulations Bill! We couldn’t be prouder.
Positive Change, Positive Profits
June 27, 2016
TEC Canada
There is no question that Raminder Grewal, President of Keystone Environmental Ltd, is a change agent. Being named on Business in Vancouver’s Top 40 Under Forty and receiving the Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal in 2012 are a testament to his dedication, leadership, and hard work. “I always make sure to give things my all, I don’t want to do anything halfheartedly,” he states.
With an aptitude for math and physics, Raminder pursued engineering at the University of British Columbia. In his first year, engineering professionals were brought in to the University to talk about their respective fields. “A geological engineer spoke about environmental engineering being a growth field and the concepts interested me, so I decided to pursue geological engineering with an environmental engineering option,” he recalls.
Business in Vancouver's Forty Under 40 ~ Raminder Grewal
Business in Vancouver
Despite a highly competitive marketplace crowded with global and national engineering firms, Burnaby’s Keystone Environmental has continued to grow since Raminder Grewal became the youngest partner of the firm.
Under Grewal’s leadership, the firm has seen revenue grow by 30%, stemming from continued expansion in the company’s business of providing environmental consulting for government and private sector clients all over the province and Canada. Read More….