Pomerleau is one of the first construction companies to become a member of the Canada Green Building Council, with more than 190 certified projects.Supplied
Harshil Kaushal was born in New Delhi, India, one of the most polluted cities in the world. This is why he is grateful to work for Pomerleau Inc., a Montréal-headquartered construction company committed to pollution prevention and respect for ecosystems, resources and communities.
“I’ve grown up seeing the worst sides of the environment when you don’t take care of it,” says Kaushal, site superintendent. “That’s why I want to have some part of my working life driven towards making a difference in improving the environment. I always try to get on projects that contribute to betterment of the environment.”
One of the Pomerleau initiatives Kaushal is most proud of is changing its fleet of vehicles to be at least 75 per cent hybrid or electric by 2027. The company also offers financial incentives to employees who purchase their own electric vehicles. “I think that’s a big commitment and an extra step to push employees towards a greener future,” he says.
Kaushal’s personal goal is to improve waste management, as he says this is an area of need in the construction industry. “As a general contractor, we have full control over this, consciously making sure waste management is done properly, that we’re segregating the right way, so everything is not going into the land.”
Sean Giblin, project manager, agrees that it is exciting to work for a company that shows leadership in sustainability in the construction industry. “Every project is an opportunity to implement greener practices and make a lasting impact,” he says. “Working for a company that prioritizes the environment motivates me to continuously improve and innovate.”
Giblin says the company runs regular environmental training for site teams and had principal contractors trained for LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) certification. This certification demonstrates a person’s knowledge and skills in sustainable building design, construction and operations.
Pomerleau’s sustainability actions are guided by the company’s ESG (environmental, social and governance) strategy. Launched in 2022, it includes seven strategic priorities – climate change; circular economy; community relations; Indigenous relations; diversity, equity and inclusion; health and safety; and innovation. The company integrates its ESG principles into all of its practices, as well as relationships with clients and partners.
As one of the first construction companies to become a member of the Canada Green Building Council, Pomerleau has more than 190 certified projects. Its expertise in sustainable construction extends beyond LEED projects to zero-carbon buildings, mass timber and Green Globes and Envision certifications. The company built Harmony Commons, a student residence at the University of Toronto Scarborough campus, which is the largest building in Canada to be awarded Passive House Certification. A passive house is a building standard known for its exceptional energy efficiency, especially when it comes to heating and cooling compared to conventional buildings.
On a day-to-day basis, Pomerleau’s approach includes steps like designing and constructing sustainable projects, ensuring waste materials are sorted and recycled properly, using eco-friendly and locally sourced materials when possible, and implementing best practices to protect surrounding ecosystems from erosion.
“Sustainability is critical in construction because our industry has a major impact on the environment,” Giblin says. “I want to be part of the solution – reducing waste, lowering emissions and building more efficient structures.
“The way we work aligns with my personal values and professional goals. Pomerleau shows leadership in an industry that needs sustainable change. It makes me proud to contribute to projects that leave a positive legacy.”
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Advertising feature produced by Canada’s Top 100 Employers, a division of Mediacorp Canada Inc. The Globe and Mail’s editorial department was not involved.