Building Canada with
great people and great ideas.
At Thurber, our purpose is clear: to make a difference for people. Whether it’s through geotechnical investigations, environmental remediation, or pavement assessment, our goal is to deliver solutions that enhance lives and strengthen communities.
We are passionate about our work, committed to quality, and deeply care about what we do and the communities we serve. Collaboration is at the core of our approach – we work together with our teams, clients, and stakeholders to achieve meaningful results.
Proudly Canadian and employee-owned since 1957, Thurber is dedicated to building a better future, one project at a time.
Purpose and Values
Our Purpose
To make a difference for people.
Our Values
Passion: we're driven to deliver our best and inspire others.
Quality: we're committed to providing our clients with a quality experience, in both service and product.
Caring: we show kindness and concern for others, the environment, and the industry.
Together: we make a difference for people by working with passion, quality, and care - together.
Industry Support
Thurber is active in various industry groups including the Consulting Engineers of Alberta (CEA), Women in Consulting Engineering (WCE), UBC GeoRox, Canadian Society of Civil Engineering (CSCE), Association of Consulting Engineering Companies British Columbia (ACEC-BC), Calgary Geotechnical Society, Vancouver Geotechnical Society, and the Canadian Geotechnical Society (CGS). We are part of the Canadian Underground Infrastructure Innovation Centre (CUIIC), a cross-Canada research centre based at the University of Alberta. We participate in and sponsor numerous conferences and engineering organizations across the country.
Memberships
Our history
1957
Reginald Cameron Thurber opens R.C. Thurber & Associates in Victoria, BC.
1962
Thurber expands in advanced soil testing for large BC Hydro dam projects.
1968
Reg Thurber, Harvey Dishaw, and Gary Foslien are lost during a flight from Vancouver to Edmonton. Reg’s colleagues purchase R.C. Thurber & Associates and continue operation’s under Thurber’s name.
1970
Using the name Thurber Consultants, the firm expands into Alberta and adds heavy foundation design, slope stability, and soft soil services.
1986
Thurber expands into environmental assessments and brings on a team of environmental scientists.
1987
Thurber becomes involved with Alberta’s first Steam Assisted Gravity Drainage (SAGD) project for Alberta Oil Sands Technology and Research Authority (AOSTRA), which leads to the creation of Thurber’s Deep Instrumentation Group in Edmonton.
1989
Thurber Consultants Ltd. becomes Thurber Engineering Ltd.
1990
Thurber opens a new office in Toronto, Ontario.
2005
Thurber begins work on the Sea-to-Sky Highway, the firm’s first large Design-Build project, in preparation for the Vancouver 2010 Olympic Games.
2006
Hikers locate the missing Thurber plane near Golden, BC, ending the 38-year mystery. A nearby peak is renamed Thurber Mountain by the BC government.
2010
Thurber purchases two High Strain Dynamic Testing units and expands into high complexity dynamic pile testing.
2012
Thurber opens a new office in Ottawa, Ontario.
2015
Thurber expands into Saskatchewan.
2022
Thurber opens offices in Cambridge, Pickering, and Squamish.
2023
Thurber acquires Prince George-based GeoNorth Engineering and opens a new office in St. Catherines. Today the company operates out of 15 offices across Canada and employs over 500 employees.
Health and Safety
The personal health and safety of all our employees is of primary importance at Thurber. We are committed to maintaining a Health and Safety program that is founded on the prevention of occupationally induced injuries, illnesses and property loss. We consider this aspect of our business as important as production, quality, and cost control.
To support the health and safety of our team, we:
- Purchase and properly maintain tools, equipment, and facilities
- Conduct formal and informal inspections to find and correct unsafe acts and conditions
- Investigate all incidents promptly and thoroughly to prevent re-occurrence
- Provide the necessary training to complete the task at hand
- Conduct hazard assessments before starting any work
- Provide all employees with approved personal protective equipment
We are experienced working in the role of prime contractor/constructor to manage geotechnical programs. Our clients include:
- Municipalities
- Major pipeline corporations
- Ministry of Transportation Ontario
- Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure British Columbia
We maintain COR in the following provinces:
- British Columbia
- Alberta
- Ontario
- Saskatchewan
We are currently registered with the following compliance networks:
- Avetta
- Comply Works
- ISNetworld
- CQ Network
- Other client specific networks