Corporate History

Spencer Environmental Management Services Ltd. was formed in Alberta in 1984 with the specific mission of providing clients with environmental management services, particularly environmental assessment and environmental planning. Spencer Environmental foresaw a future regulatory regime where federal, provincial and municipal governments would increasingly adopt environmental assessment legislation and policies and where many proposed projects would be subject to some form of environmental assessment. The proactive environmental assessment process is one of the strongest and most cost-effective tools available to environmental management. Environmental assessment assists development projects in minimizing adverse environmental impacts and capitalizing on the positive impacts.

The firm’s early years were focused on projects spread throughout Northwest Territories (including what is now Nunavut), Yukon, British Columbia and Alberta, building on Richard Spencer’s experience in government and the private sector.  As the firm grew, our focus turned more consistently to our home province, where we have proudly served municipal, provincial and federal government departments and the private sector, working on projects located primarily throughout Alberta.  Since the 2000’s, the firm's range of services has expanded to include environmental policy development and a full suite of services supporting projects in construction.

In the Province of Alberta, we have created a legacy of projects now operating with minimal environmental effect and favorable regulatory relationships. Several of those projects have been recognized for their environmental achievements through industry awards, such as the Consulting Engineers of Alberta Showcase Awards.

Spencer Environmental undertakes projects of all scales and has a strong history of assisting clients with high profile, complex or controversial projects and of securing regulatory approvals supported by effective mitigation measures designed to minimize adverse impacts and maximize opportunities for enhanced environmental performance.