For more than half a century, R.F. Binnie & Associates Ltd. (Binnie) has been a trusted name in Canadian engineering and infrastructure development. What began as a modest civil engineering and surveying practice in 1969, founded by Robert F. Binnie, has since evolved into a multi-disciplinary consulting corporation with more than 360 staff and offices across British Columbia and Alberta.
At the heart of Binnie’s growth is a mission that has remained constant: helping clients build better communities by delivering multi-discipline infrastructure solutions with a focus on client service, quality, and value. President and CEO Richard Bush explained, “Our mission remains unchanged. We’re here to help our clients improve the places where we all live and work.”
This purpose-driven approach has helped Binnie earn national recognition. In 2025, the company was named one of Canada’s Top Small & Medium Employers for the 11th year in a row. “This recognition is a direct reflection of the dedication, energy, and care of every person on our team,” said Bush. “It speaks to the people-focused culture we’ve worked hard to build together. We’ve made great strides—especially over the past year—to listen to our staff’s suggestions and concerns and we’ve created an action plan for continuous improvement.”
That culture has translated into successful project outcomes as well. Earlier this year, Binnie played a lead role in the R6 RapidBus Project, which earned the Project of the Year Award and the Award of Merit at the ACEC-BC Awards for Engineering Excellence, in May 2025. Launched in January 2024, the project was designed to address significant overcrowding and transit delays in one of the Lower Mainland’s fastest-growing regions.
The R6 project introduced a range of measures—dedicated bus lanes, articulated 60-foot buses, real-time information systems, and Wi-Fi access—geared toward improving safety, accessibility, and sustainability. “It’s about delivering faster, more reliable, and more accessible transit,” said Bush. “This project is a scalable model for urban transit. We are thrilled with the outcome and value our close collaboration with TransLink, Coast Mountain Bus Company, and the Cities of Surrey and Delta.”
Binnie’s work on the Highway 1 – Chase Creek Road to Chase West Project also earned industry recognition, receiving the Award of Excellence in Active Transportation at the 2025 BC Transportation Consulting Engineers Awards. The project widened over three kilometers of highway and introduced protected T-intersections, improving connectivity and safety for both the Neskonlith Community and the Village of Chase. “It’s a great example of how transportation planning can encourage sustainable travel options even in rural environments,” Bush noted.
Binnie’s collaborative approach is central to the company’s methodology. “Our team worked closely with First Nations, the municipal government, businesses, and residents,” said Bush. “That kind of engagement leads to better, more inclusive outcomes.”
From its early days as a small husband-and-wife operation to its current status as a diverse team with expertise across civil and transportation engineering, landscape architecture, climate resiliency, project site supervision, and project management, Binnie’s journey has been marked by continuous evolution. They have steadily grown in staff numbers, geographic range (e.g. Burnaby, Langley, Squamish, Prince George, Kamloops, and Calgary), and service offerings (e.g. trenchless, water/wastewater, and climate resiliency), both organically and through strategic acquisitions.
Today, the company’s project portfolio spans transportation, water and wastewater, municipal infrastructure, parks, ports, and residential and industrial developments. Despite this growth, Binnie has remained committed to building lasting relationships and delivering consistently high-quality work. “Our clients value that they can access a multi-disciplinary team through a single point of contact,” Bush said. “We also strive to become trusted advisors to our clients, and work side-by-side from early stages of projects to help solve problems before they happen; we want to fully understand the big picture of a project and how it fits into the larger context of the community and of our client’s bigger objectives.”
One aspect of the business particularly meaningful to Binnie is their engagement with Indigenous communities. The company actively supports reconciliation and incorporates Indigenous perspectives into project planning. “We work collaboratively with Indigenous communities when delivering projects such as local parks and community spaces, municipal infrastructure, and large-scale transportation initiatives,” said Bush.
Binnie also supports organizations like the Hope & Health Life Society, providing services to help build sports and recreation facilities for Indigenous children and youth. Internally, the company has implemented cultural safety training and created respectful land acknowledgment practices to foster ongoing education and awareness.
Employee development and wellbeing remain a top priority at Binnie. The company offers flexible, hybrid working options and has implemented several employee-driven programs. These include an in-house mentorship program, a Young Professionals Committee, and RISE—a grassroots initiative focused on raising female voices and fostering collaboration.
Binnie also introduced a Cultural Safety Plan in 2022 to promote mental wellbeing and inclusivity. “It’s about creating a space where people can be their authentic selves,” said Bush. “That’s critical to retention and to sustaining the culture we’ve worked hard to create.”
Looking ahead, Binnie is focused on reinforcing its leadership in the engineering and infrastructure space by continuing to prioritize its people. “Our vision for the future is grounded in our purpose—to create connected communities,” said Bush. “It’s our people who deliver the services that improve major infrastructure across Western Canada. When we support them, we support the communities we serve.”
From industry accolades to impactful partnerships and community-centered planning, Binnie’s legacy is built not on grand statements, but on tangible, meaningful work. The company’s steady growth, collaborative ethos, and commitment to excellence continue to define its role as a trusted partner in Canada’s infrastructure landscape.
For more information, please visit www.binnie.com
