Estimating the Size of the Reclamation and Restoration Economy and Supply Chain in Alberta

The aim of this project was to document the scope, scale, and focus areas of the reclamation and restoration (R&R) economy in Alberta, as well as to provide insights into the organizations (both private and public) that could add value within the national restoration initiative. This pilot project focused on Alberta because that province has a well-established network of R&R practitioners and a broad scope of R&R activities in forested, agricultural, and urban areas. The anticipated end users of the information include government agencies, industry, environmental consulting companies, professional and practitioner organizations, and equipment and services industries. A survey of 28 questions was distributed among restoration and reclamation practitioners to capture the socio-economic impacts of the sector based on the fiscal year 2018-2019. Based on 115 respondents, the survey highlights that the R&R economy in Alberta is robust, with 2 056 employees working at least part-time and 1 488 fulltime
equivalent positions. Business units range in size from one person to 400 employees and have a correspondingly wide range of revenues and expenditures, from less than $50 000 to more than $100 million. A high proportion of survey respondents (79.8%) reported an expectation of similar or increasing workload in the future. Although the data reported here give only a high-level perspective, they do show that the strength of the R&R economy largely reflects, and is a result of, the regulatory framework that
exists in resource-rich provinces. The socio-economic benefits of the R&R sector demonstrated in this study put in perspective the need to link provincial R&R practitioners work with national and international environmental commitments in regard to sustainable land use management. Such linkages will allow practitioners to see how they contribute to these commitments and will give the province additional data
and expertise to demonstrate and increase its leadership in environmental management and sustainable development. It is important to note that the survey was held before the federal announcement of the Two Billion Trees commitment, hence this study provides a strong indication of the health of this sector as well as future business opportunities.