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  • Frequently Asked Questions Q: What is a brownfield? A: A brownfield is land that has chemical, radiological or petroleum contamination. The property is not being used or is underused. Brownfields are frequently older industrial properties but this contamination can happen in any type of property. Current or previous property owners may have contaminated the site. The contamination may also result from industrial or commercial activity from adjacent land. Q: What is a greenfield? A: A greenfield is undeveloped and uncontaminated land that is often agricultural and situated away from cities. Q: Why is it important to clean up brownfield sites? A: Exposure to brownfields can pose health risks. Drinking water, the ground or building materials can become contaminated. Brownfields do not clean themselves. The land retains the contaminants for centuries and poses a health risk to residents if not cleaned up. A brownfield’s status puts limits on the redevelopment of the land. You’ll occasionally see contaminated land surrounded by a new charming neighbourhood. New residents dislike living near a vacant contaminated property but the land can’t be redeveloped for a better use until the property is cleaned up. Brownfields affect local property values and taxes in a negative way. Brownfields can deter urban growth patterns in that a city or community may choose to steer growth away from land that is contaminated. Q: Is there any government legislation that encourages brownfield cleanup? A: Ontario continually works to revise and update its legislation to make it easier for landowners to clean up brownfields and to provide for government financial incentives. With a completed record of site condition, landowners receive a level of immunity from a Ministry of the Environment regulatory order. A record of site condition shows that a property meets regulated site assessment and cleanup standards for the new use. The province provides a limited amount of financial incentive through its Brownfields Financial Tax Incentive Program administered by the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing. Local municipalities throughout Ontario primarily provide meaningful financial assistance for brownfield cleanup. Terms and conditions of the financial assistance vary from city to city depending upon local circumstances. Incentives are typically in the form of grants, waived development charges or tax incremental financing.