Barriers & Opportunities with Rooftop Solar in the Pearson Eco-Business Zone

To advance the goals of Ontario’s Green Energy Act and expand renewable energy adoption within the Pearson Eco-Business Zone, Chris led a study examining the barriers to rooftop solar implementation and identifying actionable solutions.

Through targeted research and consultation with industry stakeholders, the study categorized key challenges into four areas: economic viability, legal and policy constraints, institutional capacity gaps, and technical limitations. With these insights, Chris and the TRCA team developed a suite of practical tools and resources to support local businesses in navigating these barriers and pursuing solar installations.

The initiative provided a clear roadmap for accelerating clean energy adoption in one of Canada’s most significant employment zones—aligning sustainability outcomes with industrial innovation.

Partners in Project Green - Eco-Efficiency Program

To help businesses in the Toronto Pearson employment zone reduce operating costs and environmental impact, Chris led the development of the Eco-Efficiency Program—a targeted initiative under the Partners in Project Green strategy.

With support from local utilities including Toronto Hydro, Enersource, Brampton Hydro One, and Enbridge Gas, the program offered no-cost, high-level facility audits to identify opportunities for energy, water, and waste reduction. Chris oversaw the full lifecycle of the program, managing a team of consultants and staff responsible for conducting audits and supporting implementation.

In addition to leading program delivery, Chris worked to promote the initiative across the industrial zone—helping businesses uncover operational efficiencies while advancing sustainability goals.

Partners in Project Green: A Pearson Eco-Business Zone Strategy

Chris led the development of the founding strategy for Partners in Project Green—an ambitious initiative to transform the industrial lands around Toronto Pearson International Airport into a globally recognized hub for sustainable business.

Developed over eight months in collaboration with businesses and all levels of government, the strategy established a shared vision for the Pearson Eco-Business Zone. It provided a baseline of regional resource use and outlined a set of targeted programs aimed at reducing environmental impact while enhancing economic performance.

The strategy laid the foundation for the formal launch of Partners in Project Green, backed by a seven-year funding commitment from the Greater Toronto Airports Authority.

Greater Toronto Airports Authority Living City Project

As a Watershed Planner with TRCA, Chris led the GTAA Living City Project—a comprehensive environmental strategy to restore the Etobicoke Creek watershed around Toronto Pearson International Airport. The project assessed terrestrial systems, aquatic habitat, and stormwater infrastructure to identify priority restoration opportunities and develop an integrated implementation plan.

Delivered in partnership with the Greater Toronto Airports Authority, the project laid the ecological groundwork for Partners in Project Green and helped catalyze business engagement in local watershed stewardship.

Greater Toronto Area Spills Assessment

To strengthen emergency response and environmental protection in the Region of Peel, Chris led the development of a web-based Spill Decision Support System—a tool designed to help responders manage chemical and oil spills with greater speed, accuracy, and coordination.

Developed through a public-private partnership, the system integrated multiple data sources—including historical spill records, chemical storage inventories, and storm sewer infrastructure—into a user-friendly platform that could be deployed in the field. The tool enabled responders to trace spills from origin to watercourse entry points, improving incident tracking, source identification, and response planning.

Chris managed all aspects of the project, from securing funding and convening four municipal partners to overseeing the consulting team through technical design and implementation. The result was a practical, field-ready solution that improved regional spill response and safeguarded local ecosystems.