Norda Stelo Raises Bar with B Corp Renewal in Sustainable Engineering

QUEBEC CITY, QC – February 20, 2026 – In a move that reinforces its commitment to responsible business practices, consulting-engineering firm Norda Stelo has successfully renewed its B Corp certification, achieving an improved score that signals a deepening of its environmental, social, and governance (ESG) integration. The company's new score of 90.3 not only surpasses its previous mark but also sets a high standard in a Canadian engineering sector rapidly pivoting toward sustainability.

The recertification, a rigorous process conducted every three years by the non-profit B Lab, is a significant achievement. It requires companies to meet the highest standards of verified performance, accountability, and transparency. With a minimum qualifying score of 80 and a median score of just 50.9 for ordinary businesses completing the assessment, Norda Stelo's 90.3 score places it in an elite category of companies that build impact into their business model.

“This recertification is a source of great pride. For Norda Stelo, being a B Corp means choosing a business model where performance is also measured by the impact we have on the world,” stated Alex Brisson, President and CEO of Norda Stelo, in the company’s announcement.

Raising the Bar in a Competitive ESG Landscape

Norda Stelo was the first major Canadian engineering firm to earn B Corp certification, a pioneering move that has since been followed by a broader industry awakening. The competitive landscape for ESG leadership is now fierce, with major players like Stantec, WSP, and AtkinsRealis making substantial commitments and reporting significant progress on their own sustainability goals. Stantec, for example, reported that 62% of its 2024 gross revenue was aligned with UN Sustainable Development Goals, while WSP aims for net-zero emissions by 2040.

In this context, Norda Stelo’s recertification is not merely a renewal but a strategic imperative to maintain its leadership position. The improvement from its initial score of 88.1 to 90.3 demonstrates a tangible progression in its practices, moving beyond initial certification to a deeper, more integrated approach. This continuous improvement is crucial as B Lab itself prepares to roll out stricter certification standards by 2027, which will mandate performance in key areas like climate action, making it more challenging for companies to rely on strengths in one area to compensate for weaknesses in another.

From Certification to Core Strategy

The journey from a score of 88.1 to 90.3 reflects a deliberate and systematic effort to embed ESG principles into the very fabric of Norda Stelo's operations. The firm has moved beyond policy to practice, integrating ESG criteria into all strategic decisions, from project planning and acquisitions to talent management and partnerships with First Peoples.

A key driver of this improvement is the development of sophisticated internal tools. The company has implemented a proprietary “Project ESG Scorecard,” a system designed to measure and track the ESG impacts of every project it undertakes. This tool has revealed that over 76% of its projects and service offerings generate a positive environmental or social impact, providing verifiable data that backs its sustainability claims.

Furthermore, Norda Stelo is leveraging technology to advance its mission. The firm’s STELAR platform, a digital solution powered by artificial intelligence and data science, centralizes project data to predict asset conditions and optimize sustainable management. By focusing on asset durability and extending the lifespan of existing infrastructure, this technology directly supports a circular economy and reduces the need for new construction, a major source of carbon emissions and resource depletion.

Sustainable Engineering in Action

Norda Stelo's commitment is most evident in the real-world projects it delivers. The firm's portfolio showcases a diverse application of its sustainable principles, translating its B Corp ethos into tangible outcomes.

For the Montreal Port Authority, the company has been instrumental in optimizing infrastructure investments through advanced asset management, balancing performance, risk, and cost to enhance the longevity of critical port facilities. In Northern Quebec, Norda Stelo conducted due diligence for a project to convert an oil boiler to a forest biomass cogeneration plant, a move that provides renewable energy to an isolated community.

In transportation, the firm contributed to the award-winning Highway 85 project, which integrated innovative environmental approaches to protect wildlife and restore habitats. It also played a foundational role in Quebec’s first Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) system, the Rapibus, promoting sustainable urban mobility.

These projects illustrate the company's focus on climate and industrial transition. “The B Corp recertification confirms that our success is measured not only by the performance of our projects, but also by the positive impact we generate for society and the environment,” Brisson added. By actively contributing to decarbonization, environmental risk reduction, and the adoption of digital solutions, the firm is demonstrating how engineering can be a force for positive change.

The Future of Responsible Engineering

With nearly 900 employees and operations spanning Canada and beyond, Norda Stelo is not just participating in the trend toward sustainable engineering; it is actively shaping it. The renewed B Corp certification solidifies its brand as an ESG-conscious partner for public and private clients navigating the complexities of climate change and industrial transformation.

This commitment also serves as a powerful magnet for talent. In a competitive job market, engineers and technical professionals are increasingly drawn to purpose-driven organizations where their work contributes to a greater good. By embedding its values into its culture and operations, Norda Stelo positions itself as an employer of choice for the next generation of industry leaders.

As client demands, regulatory pressures, and societal expectations continue to push the engineering industry toward greater accountability, companies with a proven and verified commitment to ESG will hold a distinct advantage. By successfully navigating the rigorous recertification process and improving its score, Norda Stelo has reaffirmed its dedication to this path, continuing an approach built on “rigour, transparency, and ambition to contribute to a more sustainable future for all.”