Roger Santiago: Head, Sediment Remediation Unit

Meet Roger Santiago, Head of the Sediment Remediation Unit at Environment and Climate Change Canada. Roger joined the department thirty-one years ago when he was hired as a co-op student. Today, he leads one of Canada’s largest sediment remediation projects in the Great Lakes basin at Randle Reef in Hamilton, Ontario. In his current role, Roger notes the growth of innovative and sustainable environmental approaches, as a key factor in how the department manages contaminated aquatic sites. His ability to bring about meaningful change, and taking measured risks, motivates Roger in his day-to-day work.

Throughout his career, Roger has made life-long friendships in his travels. He fondly recalls representing Canada as a delegate in Slovenia during the NATO talks on the Management of Contaminated Sediment. In his position, Roger values the ability to travel throughout the Great Lakes, and working with communities to bring about incremental steps to preserve the environment for Canadians present and future. 

To learn more about Roger’s work, visit the Randle Reef webpage. 

Here are a few random facts about Roger:

• What was your first job? McDonalds.
• If you could travel anywhere in the world, where would it be? Australia. 
• What is your favourite game or sport to watch and play? FIFA World Cup Football.
• If you were a super-hero, what powers would you have? Teleportation.
• Summer or winter? Summer.
• If you could share a meal with anyone, living or dead, who would it be? Martin Luther King Jr. 
• What's your favourite holiday? Christmas.
• Do you love or hate rollercoasters? I love rollercoasters.
• What's your favourite movie? Star Wars.
• Where do you see yourself in 10 years? On a beach, sipping a drink in a hammock.