Many organizations strive to reduce their environmental impact, but Halsall Associates and its president, Peter Halsall, stand out in their active sustainability efforts.

“[Our] intent is to be an enduring organization,” says Halsall. The firm is a leading Canadian engineering consulting firm that has been recognized as one of Canada's Top 100 Employers for several consecutive years by Maclean's and ROB magazines. “We count on being around for many generations, which only works if we are contributing to the communities we work in and to improving how humankind treats the planet. This ties into our vision of sustainability.”

Peter Halsall is a professional engineer with a Master’s degree in civil engineering from the University of Toronto. Halsall’s father, Robert, founded the firm in 1956 as a structural engineering firm in Toronto. Halsall now provides services for new and existing buildings across Canada.

The organization has a well-known reputation for championing sustainability in its building and planning projects. Halsall Associates' green building consulting team comprises over 40 staff. More than 70 of the organization’s LEED projects are currently pursuing certification. The firm was a founder of the Toronto chapter of the Canada Green Building Council, and has written the LEED® Canada for Existing Buildings: Operations & Maintenance standards.

Halsall Associates takes its green-minded approach to community planning projects. “We realized that the full potential of green buildings would only be realized if the infrastructures that connect and supply them incorporate intelligent green thinking,,” Halsall says. “We wanted to contribute to integrated community design in order to take advantage of a low-carbon future.”

“Our service is seen as different, because we believe in and commit to our vision of sustainability," says Halsall. “The feedback that resonates with us is that we walk the talk.”

Halsall Associates' commitment to sustainability goes beyond the planning and design projects for its clients.

“In 1995, we set about to make a place where we would be proud to have our children aspire to work,” Halsall explains. “In order to do that, we got serious about our workplace practices.” Process changes introduced in 2002 reduced paper use by 30 per cent. The organization's emissions footprint is at about 60 per cent of its industry benchmark.

Halsall’s offices in Ontario, Alberta and B.C. have been bullfrogpowered since 2006, making the firm one of the longest standing members of the bullfrogpowered community. “It was a good fit,” says Halsall of the decision to purchase clean, emissions-free electricity from Bullfrog. “It fit our desire to support community change. We wanted to be a part of the movement to green electricity.” He adds, “We’re proud to still be here!”

In addition to bullfrogpowering his home, Halsall often bikes to work, along with many employees in every office. In 2005, the company made bicycling to work easier by providing resources for parking and showering.

How does Halsall view Canada’s sustainable future? “I think we should build on the strengths that we have.” Halsall cites the Canadian Urban Institute as an example of a positive institution. “But as a nation, I think we should be getting it faster.”

Halsall Associates continues to develop and promote new sustainability initiatives in building. “We’re excited about a whole slew of projects,” says Halsall. “[From] a housing development on Vancouver Island and a carbon-neutral community in Montreal to the Toronto Waterfront and Brick Works redevelopments in Toronto and Markham’s new sustainability guidelines…there’s a lot of momentum, and people are prepared to take up the challenge and run with it—they get it.”

For Peter Halsall, the end goal is ensuring a bright future for generations to come. “I am responsible for our employees having the best career possible,” he says. “I take that personally all the way through.”

By no small coincidence, that includes Halsall’s daughter, who is working on Green Building projects at Halsall. “She’s doing a great job,” he says. “I’m really proud that she has chosen to work here.”