SLR at RPIC Summit 2026

Size Doesn't Matter - Small Project Challenges in the North

October 29, 2:30 PM - 3:30 PM | Room 205

Speakers: Thomas Honey and Blair Robinson

When people think of environmental projects in Canada’s North, they imagine remote, hard-to-reach locations with daunting project logistics and unique technical challenges. While these projects do indeed pose significant challenges, project teams are usually rewarded with excellent technical experience and memories of majestic wilderness. But what happens when a Northern project is billed as ‘routine’ or ‘accessible’? Do ‘big project’ challenges still apply to these small projects in the North? Using the real-world example of the Pine Point Railbed Remediation Project, this presentation will outline how PSPC and SLR Consulting overcame various project execution challenges for this smaller (but no less important) remediation project. Located just outside the communities of Hay River and Fort Resolution in the Southern Slave Region of the Northwest Territories, the Pine Point Railbed Remediation Project was implemented to address legacy metals contamination along a former mining railbed to enable safe community and traditional uses. The project was successfully completed in 2025/2026 despite an avalanche of obstacles (real avalanches were not one of the obstacles). Challenges were faced before and during project implementation, including external factors such as federal elections, changing CCME guidance on lead contamination risk, and winter weather, as well as internal factors related to communication and site access along Highway 5. This presentation explores how these challenges had out-sized influence on a small-scale project and shares lessons learned for those embarking on their own Northern projects. Discussion also includes local and Indigenous engagement, including PSPC’s new Indigenous Participation Plan (IPP) scoring system implemented during the procurement process. This session will benefit asset managers and industry practitioners looking to undertake projects and site assessments in Canada’s North.