Feds announce $13 million Esquimalt Graving Dock remediation project

Feds announce $13 million Esquimalt Graving Dock remediation project

ESQUIMALT, B.C. – The Government of Canada has announced a $13 million contract has been awarded to QM Environmental & PPM Civil Constructors in a joint venture to carry out remediation work on the Esquimalt Graving Dock (EGD) in the location formally known as the Canadian Forces Sailing Association (CFSA) Waterlot.

QM/PPMCC will remove existing marina structures and undergo dredging, processing, transporting and disposing of up to 17,000 cubic metres of contaminated sediments as well as place clean sand. 

The CFSA is located on the north shore of Constance Cove in Esquimalt Harbour and is part of the EGD federal Crown land owned by Public Services and Procurement Canada. Esquimault Harbour has been a navy and industrial site since the 1850s and activity by the shipbuilding, sawmill and log storage industries has resulted in contamination at the site.

This project will help address site contamination issues as well as potential health and ecological risks and ensure that the site meets standards set out in the Federal Contaminated Sites Action Plan, a Public Services and Procurement Canada release stated.

QM/PPMCC will engage with the Esquimalt Nation and the Songhees Nation on opportunities for the nations to participate in the project including subcontracting work at approximately five per cent of the contract value to First Nation companies and offer training and labour to the nations. 

Work will begin in fall 2022 and is expected to be completed in spring 2023.