Environmental Technologies

Environmental consulting and remediation: a green $8.3B engine in Canada

Driven by the sustainability shift in businesses and increasingly stringent federal regulations, Canada’s environmental services—comprising consulting ($5.0B) and remediation-decontamination ($3.3B)—now generate over $8 billion in annual revenue.

The sector employs nearly 33,000 highly qualified professionals who conduct diagnostics, design decontamination plans, and assist project owners in obtaining permits. Its growth is fueled by the rise of green infrastructure projects, renewed oil and gas investments, and the integration of ESG criteria throughout the industrial value chain—positioning these activities as essential partners in the climate transition.

Key figures of Canada’s environmental services sector

Three indicators summarize the market's strength and momentum: size, profitability, and growth rate.

Annual revenue (2025)

$8.3B

Sum of the consulting segment ($5.0B) and the remediation-cleanup segment ($3.3B)

Average profit margin

≈ 8 %

Consulting shows a margin of 10.0%, compared to 6.3% for remediation—evidence of sustained profitability despite high labor costs.

CAGR 2019–2024

7,0 %

Annualized growth driven by booming public spending, mining recovery, and the adoption of clean technologies (5.9% for consulting and 8.1% for remediation)

Structural trends and five-year outlook

Planned emission reductions (Canadian Net-Zero Emissions Accountability Act 2050) will push major emitters to intensify carbon audits, while the federal “Investing in Canada” program will continue to fund the cleanup of orphaned sites.

At the same time, AI, IoT sensors, and 3D modeling will speed up on-site diagnostics and reduce compliance delays.

Lastly, the growth of green bonds and investor pressure on ESG metrics are expected to support a strong investment cycle, even as market consolidation accelerates due to the talent war and capitalization requirements.

Three indicators summarize the market's strength and momentum: size, profitability, and growth rate.

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