A good place to start is a short journey from the Atwater Market and the Saint-Gabriel Lock to the Peel Basin. There is no other spot that provides as clear an illustration of the historic evolution of industry, its decline, and the present-day transformations being experienced along the banks of the Lachine Canal, making this a much sought-after living environment. The visit continues later in Lachine borough, at the western entrance to the canal and the Fur Trade at Lachine National Historic Site of Canada, from where our great explorers left on their way to western Canada!

In the company of an experienced interpreter-guide, explore a historic site that has no equal; the Lachine Canal is at one and the same time:

• The ancestor of the St. Lawrence Seaway;
• The cradle of industry in Canada;
• The engine in the transformation of Montreal’s southwest neighbourhoods; and,
• Environmental projects led by Parks Canada.

On the menu during a visit:

• The operation of the locks, veritable boat-lifting machines (offered only during the locking season);
• The industrial heritage, with its reminders of a glorious past;
• The recent revitalization of the areas around the canal, with formerly abandoned industrial sites converted into condominium complexes; and,
• A very pleasant stroll in an urban park of regional importance.

Maximum participation: 40 people

From a vast urban landfill site, the complex is being transformed into a green space for cultural, recreational and commercial use. This metamorphosis is made possible by the determination of neighbouring residents and the innovative technologies devised by companies represented in the Vitrine technologique (Technology Showcase).

The site visit will include:

• The Saint-Michel Environmental Complex, including the Ecocentre, the composting area, the Secure-Boralex-Cascades' natural wood waste shredding centre, the reception of excavation material for the capping of the landfill site, the network of 400 landfill gas recovery wells, the Leachate pumping and oxydization station, and the environmental monitoring program;
• The TIRU’s sorting centre for recyclables;
• The Gazmont, a landfill gas-fuelled powerplant; and,
• The TOHU, a LEED Gold certified green building.

Maximum participation: 50 people

The various industry groups will present their expertise and their work and research.

1. Environmental Bioengineering
The Environmental Bioengineering group undertakes collaborations with private industry in North America and Europe, with other government departments, and with academic researchers interested in applying bioengineering principles and equipment in order to find environmentally friendly solutions for contaminated groundwater and polluted wastewater. Collaborations are undertaken in three main research areas: technological development and the optimization of bioprocesses for the treatment of contaminated waters; instrumentation and automation of anaerobic processes; biotreatability assessment of contamination sources and of organic wastes.

2. Environmental & Analytical Chemistry
The group operates a Waste Biotreatability Service that offers complete evaluation of the anaerobic biotreatability of organic wastes (biosolids, effluents) including energetic potential (methane, hydrogen, bioelectricity), physico-chemical and microbiological characterization, biological activity assessment, support for field anaerobic remediation, etc.

3. Applied Ecotoxicology
The Applied Ecotoxicology group develops collaborations relating to the ecotoxicological effects of pollutants, the development of selected bioassays from improved environmental risk assessment, including the development of toxicity-based environmental criteria. The group is also interested in research collaborations in the development of molecular and biochemical tools for the cost-effective assessment of new sustainable bioproducts that are being considered as alternatives to those currently in the marketplace and which contribute to greenhouse gases. The group collaborates with scientists from the private sector leading defence organizations, several Canadian government departments, and local as well as international research institutes. The group is also a member of several national and international networks, including the Montreal Centre of Excellence in Brownfields Rehabilitation (MCEBR), UNEP/SETAC LCIA Working Group, and the Strategic Research and Development Research Program (SERDP) in the United States.

4. Environmental Microbiology
The Environmental Microbiology group collaborates with scientists from the private sector in North America and Europe, other government departments in Canada, and the university world in North/South America and Europe. These collaborations involve studies of the biodegradation of contaminants, as well as the development and application of molecular techniques and tools for isolating, enumerating and monitoring pollutant degrading/transforming microorganisms, and for monitoring microbial diversity and responses to environmental stress. Collaboration can lead to technology transfer. In collaboration with National Defence (Defence Research Establishment Valcartier), the Environmental Microbiology group developed a biotreatment process to remediate soils contaminated by energetic (explosive) compounds. This treatment process resulted in the complete degradation of RDX and HMX in soils in approximately one month at the pilot scale. Subsequent scale-up gave comparable results, but the time required for degradation was somewhat longer. This technology has been transferred to Biogénie, a Quebec-based company that is very active in the development and commercialization of environmental bioremediation processes.

Maximum participation: 80 people

The CEAEQ’s strength is based on the expertise and know-how of the scientists who work there. The laboratories are ISO/CEI 17025 certified and are equipped with cutting-edge instruments, allowing them to provide a large array of services.

The Mission
Guarantee the availability, quality and continuity of expertise and analytical information for environment protection and resource conservation needs.

CEAEQ Responsibilities:

• Provide laboratory analysis and study services adapted to the needs of the Ministère du Développement durable, de l’Environnement et des Parcs;
• Ensure the methodological development necessary to the application of the regulations and the monitoring of the natural environment, in compliance with the Ministère du Développement durable, de l’Environnement et des Parcs’ mission;
• Ensure the development of its expertise based on current and future environmental requirements;
• Exercise an advisory role with the administrative units of the Ministère and outside organizations in the area of environmental analysis;
• Participate in regulatory monitoring by recognizing the competence of organizations or individuals in offering quality information or expertise in the area of:
• Environmental analysis (private, municipal and institutional laboratories);
• Farm land analysis (agricultural laboratories);
• The establishment of the list of experts in land protection and rehabilitation (in support of the application of division IV.2.1 of the Environment Quality Act);
• Environmental sampling;
• Heavy vehicle emissions analysis;
• In the absence of certified Québec laboratories, provide expertise in the area of environmental analysis, in support of regulatory application throughout the territory.

Maximum participation: 80 people

SOLUTION uses a biological treatment process: the ex situ Biopile. This process creates the most favourable conditions for the rapid growth of specific, naturally occurring microorganisms that have the ability to degrade organic contaminants into non-toxic compounds. Optimum conditions for the biodegradation process are created by controlling various parameters including oxygen level, nutrient concentrations, moisture content, pH level, and temperature.

Soils are treated until the criteria established by the Ministère de l’Environnement du Québec are met. Once the treatment criteria has been reached, the soil is disposed of according to applicable standards. Upon request, a Certificate of Destruction is issued to provide you with total elimination of any future environmental liability.

Maximum participation: 120 people