Navigating Ontario's Excess Soil Regulation

Ontario's excess soil framework has significantly changed how construction and infrastructure projects manage, characterize, track and reuse soil generated during excavation activities. Under O. Reg. 406/19, project leaders and consultants must consider reuse planning, soil characterization, documentation requirements and regulatory obligations before excess soil leaves a project site. As implementation milestones continue, failure to properly manage excess soil can create project delays, enforcement risks and increased costs.

This webinar examines the practical application of Ontario's On-Site and Excess Soil Management Regulation, focusing on the workflows, documentation and decision-making processes required for compliant soil management. Participants will explore the roles of project leaders, Qualified Persons, contractors and receiving site owners, including assessment requirements, sampling and analysis planning, soil characterization, reuse options and registry obligations. The session also considers recent regulatory changes and how they affect future project planning, beneficial reuse and disposal decisions.

Key Topics Discussed:

• Overview of Ontario's On-Site and Excess Soil Management Regulation (O. Reg. 406/19)

• Roles and responsibilities of project leaders, Qualified Persons and site owners

• When excess soil reuse planning and registry requirements are triggered

• Excess Soil Registry notices and compliance documentation

• Assessment of past uses and site history considerations

• Sampling and analysis plans and soil characterization reports

• Soil quality standards and reuse eligibility

• Beneficial Reuse Assessment Tool applications

• Selecting compliant receiving sites and reuse pathways

• Managing disposal, landfilling and regulatory restrictions

• Recent amendments and changing compliance timelines

• Documentation practices for ministry review and enforcement readiness

• Practical workflows for infrastructure, redevelopment and construction projects