Northern Edge Algonquin Recognized as a National Leader in Sustainable Tourism
The retreat and wellness centre becomes the first business to achieve Level 5 Standing through GreenStep’s Sustainable Tourism Pathway and also receives Rainbow Registered accreditation following independent reviews of sustainability and inclusion practices.
ALGONQUIN PARK, ON — Six months of documenting, evaluating, and independently assessing sustainability practices already embedded throughout its operations has resulted in national recognition for Northern Edge Algonquin. This June, the retreat and wellness centre became the first business in Canada to achieve Level 5 Standing through GreenStep’s Sustainable Tourism Pathway, the highest level of recognition within GreenStep’s updated sustainability framework.
GreenStep’s Sustainable Tourism Pathway evaluates tourism organizations across more than 85 indicators related to environmental stewardship, community impact, governance, purchasing practices, staff engagement, and long-term planning. The Pathway launched in 2025 as an evolution of GreenStep’s previous certification framework, with updated methodology and alignment to internationally recognized sustainability criteria. Level 5 is awarded to organizations that demonstrate excellence across all pillars of sustainability while acting as innovators and role models within Canada’s tourism sector.
“Northern Edge Algonquin is a remarkable example of sustainability leadership in tourism. Achieving Level 5 on GreenStep’s Sustainable Tourism Pathway means demonstrating leadership in measurable, outcome-oriented impact, not just good intentions. What stood out to us was the depth and consistency of their practices across every area of the assessment,” said Amélie Chanda, Senior Program Manager, Sustainable Tourism & Climate Action at GreenStep. “They are, in fact, the first business to reach Level 5 since the launch of our Pathway program in 2025, and that milestone speaks for itself. We’re proud to have them as part of our network.”
Northern Edge has operated entirely off-grid for decades, generating its own electricity through solar power while continuously exploring ways to reduce resource consumption and environmental impact. Examples reviewed as part of Northern Edge’s GreenStep assessment included its off-grid solar energy system, local purchasing practices, sustainability training programs, community partnerships, environmental stewardship practices, and guest education initiatives. Assessors also reviewed innovative infrastructure projects including Northern Edge’s zero-powered walk-in refrigerator, developed in partnership with Canadore College’s Innovation Centre and research partners as a low-energy food storage solution designed specifically for off-grid operations.
Northern Edge’s participation in the Sustainable Tourism Pathway was supported through Explorer’s Edge, which has committed to covering annual Sustainable Tourism Pathway fees for up to four years as part of its efforts to strengthen sustainable tourism across the region. The June 3rd achievement comes just two days after Northern Edge also received Rainbow Registered accreditation through the Canadian Queer Chamber of Commerce (CQCC), marking a week of independent third-party recognition focused on both sustainability and inclusion.
“Northern Edge Algonquin continues to raise the bar for what tourism leadership looks like in Ontario,” said James Murphy, CEO of Explorer’s Edge. “Achieving Level 5 in the Sustainable Tourism Pathway Program while also becoming Rainbow Registered reflects a genuine commitment to caring for both people and place. We are proud to have supported their journey and congratulate [the Northern Edge Team] on these well-deserved achievements.”
While Northern Edge has long centered sustainability, stewardship, and inclusivity in its operations, these assessments provided an opportunity to formally document those practices, evaluate them against recognized standards, identify opportunities for improvement, and share that work more transparently with guests and the broader community.
“We’ve never pursued sustainability or inclusion because we were looking for recognition. These practices are simply the right things to do. What makes this achievement meaningful is that it reflects the collective efforts of a team that genuinely cares—about people, about community, and about the land we’re privileged to steward,” shared Todd Lucier, Northern Edge Algonquin Co-Founder. “The acknowledgement is an honour, but the real accomplishment is building a culture where these values are lived every day.”
Rainbow Registered is Canada’s national accreditation program for businesses and organizations committed to creating welcoming and inclusive experiences for 2SLGBTQIA+ people, and participation was supported through FedNor-funded programming. The process required Northern Edge to review and document policies, staff training, guest communications, accessibility practices, and organizational commitments related to equity, diversity, and inclusion. As with GreenStep, the assessment provided an opportunity to identify strengths, address gaps, formalize practices that had evolved over time, and communicate those commitments more clearly to guests and the broader community.
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