New hub deepens half a century of values-driven partnership and relationship-centred work in Northern Ontario

Thunder Bay, ON – February 24, 2026 — When R.J. Burnside & Associates Limited and Neegan Burnside Ltd. opened the doors to their new Thunder Bay hub at 1113 Jade Court, Suite 300,  it marked far more than the launch of a new office. It was the next chapter in a story that began nearly fifty years ago—one rooted not in transactions or project counts, but in relationships, shared values, and a commitment to strengthening the communities of Northern Ontario.

For decades, the Burnside companies have taken a relationship and people first approach to engineering and environmental consulting—prioritizing trust, collaboration and community impact. They have focused on providing technical expertise and growing long-standing relationships with communities, leaders, and organizations who have trusted the firm to walk alongside them through challenge, change, and opportunity.

Initially, through R.J. Burnside & Associates Limited, Bob Burnside served Indigenous communities throughout Northern Ontario with humility and respect, and a focus on positive outcomes for the community.  That commitment was reinforced with the formation of Neegan Burnside Ltd.—a majority Indigenous-owned and operated sister company formed to better serve First Nations, Métis and Inuit (FMNI) partners with culturally grounded, community-led services. Together, the two firms have delivered meaningful projects, shaped by ongoing dialogue, respect for local priorities, and a deep belief that infrastructure is ultimately about people.

The Thunder Bay office is a natural extension of this shared legacy. Co-branded as both RJ Burnside and Neegan Burnside, the new hub brings teams closer to their Northern Ontario and Manitoba partners, providing a permanent space for collaboration, listening, and co-creation.  While continuing to serve Indigenous communities, the Company’s focus has expanded to include private sector business and the many Townships, Villages, and Towns throughout the Region, as well as the City of Thunder Bay.

“We’re genuinely excited about this investment in Thunder Bay,” said Adam Rose, Vice President and Branch Manager of the new office. “For us, opening a new location isn’t just an expansion—it’s an opportunity to deepen the relationships and values that have guided our work for decades. This office strengthens our ability to be present in communities in the North and West Region in ways that are meaningful, responsive, and grounded in shared purpose.”

Rose credits the thoughtful design and construction of the new space—led by FormStudio Architects and Tom Jones Corporation—as an example of the care and collaboration the firms model in their work. “This is now a state-of-the-art space where our teams can connect, collaborate with our clients, and our projects can flourish. We’re incredibly grateful to the partners who brought this vision to life.”

With the new office, Burnside teams will continue to deliver their full suite of engineering, environmental, planning, and advisory services—always through the lens of relationship and respect. Their work spans:

• Water and Wastewater Management
• Transit, Facilities and Transportation Engineering
• Land Development and Hydrogeology
• Ecology and Environmental Services
• Peer Review and Asset Management
• Onsite Wastewater and Solid Waste Management
• Municipal Drainage
• Bridges and Culverts
• Landscape Architecture

“This expansion feels like a natural next step in an already strong partnership,” said Cory Jones, President of Neegan Burnside. “We aren’t changing who we are or how we work—we’re reinforcing it. Having a fixed space in Thunder Bay allows us to better support existing partners and connect with new ones in ways that are accessible, personal, and grounded in the relationships that matter. I’m proud to see this come to life.”

As a lifelong Thunder Bay resident, Rose sees tremendous potential for the region’s continued growth. “We’re actively looking for new team members who want to work in a values-driven environment and be part of shaping the future of our community. We’re grateful to the Chamber of Commerce and the Community Economic Development Commission for their support as we take this next step.” A formal grand opening celebration is planned for 2026. In the meantime, both firms are excited to welcome partners—longtime and new—to the space and to continue building sustainable, community-led solutions that support thriving, resilient Northern communities.

Adam Rose, P.Eng. – Branch Manager

Greetings! My name is Adam Rose, P.Eng., Vice President of Engineering Services with R.J. Burnside & Associates Limited and Neegan Burnside Ltd., and I’m proud to be the inaugural Branch Manager of our Thunder Bay office, opening in the Fall of 2025. As a Lakehead University graduate and lifelong Thunder Bay resident, I am very excited to grow our team and expand our services, support and contribute to the well-being of the regional communities, and continue to offer our exceptional customer care, strong values, and technical services to clients across the North and West region from our new Thunder Bay location.

JOIN OUR TEAM

As a part of the Neegan Burnside team, you are part of a group of people that work together to not only provide value and service to our clients, but to also provide value to each other. Whether you are a student looking for co-op opportunities, a new grad embarking on your new career, or an experienced professional looking for a change, we would love to have the opportunity to talk to you to see if Neegan Burnside is the right fit for you.