CULTURE
Our DNA
At our core, we are all about getting things done.
Something that’s not all that easy or straight forward when you live in the middle of the world of construction and land development and the environmental agencies that govern it.
In the mid 00’s, GEMS responded to permitting bottlenecks related to environmental policy changes in Ontario by putting our heads together to paint a complete, and transparent, picture of how projects would affect groundwater, and the environment and how to mitigate the impacts. We acted as the missing link between regulatory agencies and project owners, their consultants and contractors.
Our Approach
A lot of the education and training that we receive as professionals and experts, is based on adversarial situations – right or wrong, black or white, yes or no.
The world just isn’t that binary, and GEMS understands that there is always more than one perspective on a project – starting with the owner’s, the consultant’s, the engineer’s, the contractor’s and the regulator’s. As the Environmental Manager on projects, GEMS pulls together the different perspectives to deliver results.
The People Who Make GEMS What it Is
GEMS is made up of specialists, with dirt on our boots. We treat every project as unique, and every specialist contributes different expertise to projects. We work together to keep things moving in the right direction, towards sustainable land developments through transparency, expertise and commitment. Think of it as, planning the work, and working the plan.
Characteristics of a
GEMS’ Environmental Specialist
Perspective
GEMS’ Environmental Specialists think long term and don’t sacrifice long-term value for short-term results.
Creative
GEMS’ Environmental Specialists expect and require innovation and invention from everyone on their teams and always find ways to simplify. They are externally aware, look for new ideas from everywhere, and are not limited by “not invented here". As we do new things, we accept that we may be misunderstood for long periods of time.
Curious
GEMS’ Environmental Specialists are never done learning and always seek to improve themselves. They are curious about new possibilities and act to explore them.
Transparent
GEMS’ Environmental Specialists are relentlessly transparent – a lot of people may think this is an unreasonably high standard.
Bias for Action
Speed matters in business. Many decisions and actions are reversible and do not need extensive study. We don’t do science projects.
Approachable
GEMS’ Environmental Specialists are trusted, practical, down-to-earth, smart, helpful, friendly, dependable and resourceful.
Inspired
GEMS’ Environmental Specialists really do make a difference; for the environment and for the construction and land development business.
Responsive
GEMS’ Environmental Specialists love getting and keeping your projects moving. We know that means getting answers when roadblocks and detours get in the way.