A Phase 1 Environmental Site Assessment (ESA) is a documentary and visual review conducted without any soil sampling. It involves analyzing a property's historical use (aerial photographs, municipal records, MELCCFP databases) and performing a site inspection to identify potential sources of contamination. It is recommended before any purchase, sale, or development of a property with potential environmental risk.

Phase 1 identifies potential contamination risks without sampling. Phase 2 confirms the presence or absence of contamination through soil and groundwater analysis. Phase 3 involves the actual decontamination work to bring the site into regulatory compliance. Phase 4 covers post-rehabilitation monitoring and allows for the lifting of the contamination notice from the Quebec Land Register.

A Phase 2 is recommended when Phase 1 identifies sources of concern such as a former gas station, underground storage tank, industrial or manufacturing activity, hazardous materials, or contamination on neighbouring properties. It is also commonly required by financial institutions or buyers before finalizing a real estate transaction.

Under the Environment Quality Act (EQA), the current owner of a contaminated property is generally responsible for its rehabilitation, even if the contamination was caused by a previous owner or a third party. This is why a Phase 1 Environmental Site Assessment is strongly recommended before purchasing any commercial or industrial property.

The most frequently encountered contaminants in the Capitale-Nationale region include petroleum hydrocarbons (PHC) from underground storage tanks and gas stations, heavy metals (lead, arsenic, cadmium), polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH), polychlorinated biphenyls (PCB), and chlorinated solvents such as trichloroethylene (TCE).

Ex-situ decontamination involves excavating contaminated soils and transporting them to authorized treatment or disposal facilities. In-situ decontamination treats contaminants directly in the ground without excavation, using techniques such as enhanced bioremediation, in-situ chemical oxidation (ISCO), or soil vapour extraction. The choice depends on the type of contamination and budget available.

The timeline varies depending on the method used. Ex-situ decontamination by excavation can be completed in a few weeks. In-situ treatment may take several months to several years, depending on the extent of contamination and the responsiveness of contaminants to the applied treatments.

A contamination notice is a legal document registered in the Quebec Land Register when a property exceeds regulatory contamination thresholds. It is publicly accessible and visible to any buyer or financial institution. It can block a sale, complicate mortgage financing, and reduce the property's market value. The notice is attached to the land, not the owner, meaning it remains even after a sale.

Lifting a contamination notice requires: (1) completing decontamination work according to a rehabilitation plan approved by the MELCCFP, (2) conducting confirmation sampling (Phase 4) to demonstrate regulatory criteria have been met, (3) producing a rehabilitation report submitted to the MELCCFP, and (4) filing a decontamination notice in the Quebec Land Register through a notary. The full process typically takes between 6 months and 2 years.

Yes, but under specific conditions. The seller must disclose the contamination to the buyer and a contamination notice must be registered in the Land Register. In some cases, a land use restriction notice may allow a sale without full decontamination, depending on the intended use and an agreement between the parties.

These are generic criteria established by the MELCCFP to guide contaminated site rehabilitation. Criterion A represents natural background concentrations. Criterion B applies to residential, recreational, and institutional use. Criterion C applies to commercial use. Criterion D applies to industrial use. Decontamination aims to reduce contaminant concentrations below the criterion corresponding to the site's intended use.

Yes. Financial support programs exist for the revitalization of brownfield sites, notably through the Ministère des Affaires municipales et de l'Habitation (MAMH) and certain municipal programs. Genisol can help direct you to the resources available based on the nature of your project.

A risk assessment is an alternative to full decontamination when complete remediation is technically or economically unfeasible. It demonstrates that residual contaminant concentrations do not pose an unacceptable risk to human health or the environment, subject to risk management measures and a land use restriction notice registered in the Quebec Land Register.

The MLI Select (Mortgage Loan Insurance) program offered by CMHC provides advantageous financing conditions for multi-unit residential projects committed to three pillars: affordability, energy efficiency, and accessibility. Benefits include a loan-to-value ratio of up to 95%, amortization periods of up to 55 years, and reduced insurance premiums.

The program uses a points-based system. To qualify, a project must earn a minimum of 50 points distributed across affordability, energy efficiency, and accessibility. Since June 2024, it is no longer possible to reach the maximum of 100 points through energy efficiency alone — projects must include an affordability commitment.

For new construction, the building must exceed the National Building Code by 20% to 40% in energy consumption and GHG emissions. For existing buildings, an energy efficiency improvement of 15% to 40% is required. These thresholds are confirmed through an energy simulation report produced by a qualified specialist such as Genisol's energy engineering team.

The program applies to multi-unit residential properties including standard rental apartment buildings, supportive housing, seniors' residences, and rooming houses. It covers new construction, existing building upgrades, and property purchases.

Genisol conducts the energy simulations required to demonstrate a project's compliance with MLI Select energy efficiency criteria. Our team analyzes the building's thermal performance, models the necessary improvements, and produces the simulation report required by CMHC to validate the project's eligibility.

A building energy simulation is a computer-based model that analyzes a building's energy consumption (heating, cooling, ventilation, domestic hot water) based on its design, materials, and mechanical systems. It calculates the percentage improvement compared to a reference building that meets the National Building Code — a mandatory deliverable for MLI Select eligibility.

Genisol offers a unique combination of energy engineering and environmental services. For developers in the Capitale-Nationale, this means complete end-to-end support: environmental site assessment (Phases 1 to 4), decontamination if required, and energy simulation reports for MLI Select eligibility — all under one roof.

Key benefits include financing up to 95% of construction or purchase costs, amortization periods of up to 55 years (compared to the standard 25–30 years), reduced CMHC insurance premiums, and relaxed debt coverage ratio requirements. These conditions can significantly improve the financial viability of real estate development projects.

Contact the Genisol team for an initial consultation. Our energy engineering experts will review your project, assess the energy efficiency targets required, and determine MLI Select feasibility for your building. We then support you through the production of all deliverables required by CMHC.