In 2004, Marc Breault set out to solve a problem that had long frustrated the Canadian industry: how to build reliable access across unstable ground. Heavy equipment and vital supplies often become bogged down in muskeg, clay and permafrost, making projects costlier and riskier.
Breault saw an opportunity to change that reality. He believed the answer wasn’t simply more aggregate or temporary fixes. It was a new kind of company—one grounded in engineering innovation, environmental responsibility and above all, integrity.
“Industry needed solutions that could withstand Canada’s toughest conditions while meeting higher environmental standards,” recalls Breault, founder and CEO. “I wanted Paradox to be known for engineering breakthroughs and for being the company that does what it says it will do.”
More than two decades later, Paradox Access Solutions has become a trusted national partner for ground reinforcement and access infrastructure. From wildfire recovery in Fort McMurray to railway reconstruction in Churchill, the company has proven that even the most extreme conditions can be transformed into reliable, lasting access.
Solving Canada’s Access Problem
Canada’s economy relies on transporting people, resources and equipment through some of the most challenging terrain in the world. Frost heaves tear apart traditional roads. Muskeg swallows heavy machinery. Saturated clay shifts unpredictably.
For decades, industry coped with quick fixes—laying down endless aggregate, stacking timber or building roads that required constant patchwork. These “solutions” drove up costs, created environmental headaches and failed to deliver long-term reliability.
Paradox Access Solutions was founded on this belief: there had to be a better way. Breault and his team turned to geosynthetics and soil reinforcement technologies to design solutions that weren’t just stopgaps, but engineered answers built to last.
From Humble Beginnings to National Reach
Paradox didn’t begin in a skyscraper boardroom—it started in St. Albert, close to the industries and landscapes it serves. The company grew step by step, project by project, proving itself in the field rather than in glossy presentations.
Clients quickly noticed a difference. Paradox combined technical expertise with reliability. Jobs were delivered on time, on budget and to specification. That consistency built trust, and trust fueled growth.
From a handful of contracts, Paradox grew to serve over 1,100 clients and complete more than 4,700 projects nationwide. Along the way, the company expanded its capabilities from access matting to geosynthetics, from earthworks to its signature distribution of Tough Cell®, a breakthrough geocell system.
Engineering Innovation: Tough Cell® and Beyond
Paradox’s Tough Cell® is a three-dimensional geocell made from Neoloy®, a high-modulus polymeric alloy engineered for strength and durability. Unlike HDPE geocells, designed for containment, Tough Cell® was created for structural reinforcement. It locks infill in place under load, creating stable foundations that conventional methods often fail to achieve. Becoming the exclusive Canadian distributor positioned Paradox as a leader in geosynthetics, reducing aggregate use by up to 50 per cent, accelerating construction and extending infrastructure lifespan—all while minimizing environmental disruption.
Supporting this work is Paradox’s sister company, Stratum Logics, a civil and geotechnical engineering firm led by Dr. Sanat Pokharel, Ph.D., P.Eng. An internationally recognized expert and co-author of the widely cited Han & Pokharel (2015) method for 3D geocell design, Dr. Pokharel brings more than 37 years of experience in pavement, permafrost and infrastructure design, ensuring Paradox’s solutions are grounded in engineering rigor and proven results.
Paradox’s solutions extend beyond Tough Cell®. The company also:
- Manufactures durable three-ply access mats at its Acheson facility, using quality timbers and a competitive production process.
- Operates an industry-leading mat washing program, ensuring regulatory compliance and reducing client costs.
- Provides full-service earthworks, from site preparation and excavation to grading and installation.
- Delivers geosynthetics expertise, supplying and installing solutions for complex stabilization challenges.
This integrated approach enables clients to rely on a single partner—from design through execution—rather than coordinating multiple contractors.
Hudson Bay Railway Restoration (2017): A Case Study That Defined Paradox
Breault recalls, “When catastrophic floods struck in 2017, long sections of the Hudson Bay Railway were destroyed, cutting off Churchill, Manitoba, and 42 surrounding communities. Paradox was called in to help.”
The damage was more than an infrastructure failure—it severed a lifeline. Churchill and the surrounding northern towns depend on the railway for food, fuel and medical supplies. With the line out of service, essentials had to be flown in at extraordinary cost, placing huge strain on families, businesses and local health services. Tourism, a major driver of the Churchill economy, also stalled as access to the community collapsed.
Time was of the essence. Conventional railbed repair methods would have taken many months (if even possible) – time and options the communities simply did not have. Using Tough Cell® technology, Paradox crews rebuilt the washed-out sections in under 45 days, stabilizing the railbed over weak permafrost and reusing marginal material that would normally have been discarded.
The system allowed linear construction to advance quickly from site to site, making rapid restoration possible where traditional methods would have failed the timeline.
The project not only reconnected Churchill with the outside world but also stabilized commerce, restored access to healthcare and vital supplies and provided a durable foundation for the future—demonstrating the speed, resilience and ingenuity that has come to define Paradox.
Other Milestones
From supporting renewable energy projects in remote regions to stabilizing oil sands infrastructure, Paradox has delivered solutions in conditions most contractors avoid. Time and again, the company has transformed what was once considered “impossible” terrain into reliable pathways.
Behind the Projects: People and Leadership
For Breault, Paradox’s success is built on people as much as technology. The company maintains a core team of 85 full-time employees, expanding during peak seasons and delivers projects nationwide.
“Strong leadership is about equipping people with the tools, training and autonomy to succeed,” Breault explains. His leadership style is hands-on and supportive, setting high standards, providing resources and allowing talent to flourish.
Paradox continually invests in its workforce, from advanced engineering tools to safety training, ensuring staff are equipped to tackle complex challenges. This commitment creates a team that is technically skilled, client-focused and deeply engaged in every project.
Breault describes his proudest moments as those spent around the boardroom table, watching diverse teams collaborate to solve problems.
“That collective energy—different minds working together to create breakthrough solutions—is what makes Paradox resilient,” he says.
Partnerships with Indigenous Communities
Paradox knows that lasting infrastructure requires more than engineering—it requires strong, respectful relationships with Indigenous communities. Dedicated Indigenous relations managers focus on building partnerships based on trust and shared benefit. The company hires locally whenever possible, invests in training and partners with Indigenous-owned businesses.
The goal is to create economic opportunity that extends beyond the project site.
“True partnership means listening, understanding community priorities and creating solutions that benefit everyone,” says Breault.
Changing an Industry Mindset
Even with proven results, Paradox faces one persistent challenge: shifting industry thinking away from the “lowest bid wins” approach. In sectors where budgets are tight and deadlines short, many procurement teams default to the most cost effective upfront option—even if it means higher maintenance costs, project delays, or failures later on.
Paradox advocates for evaluating the total cost of ownership. With solutions like Tough Cell®, long-term value is clear: reduced aggregate use, extended road life, fewer maintenance interventions. However, convincing decision-makers to look beyond the immediate price requires persistence.
Breault and his team address this by presenting data, case studies and engineering analysis.
“When clients see the lifecycle savings clearly, they understand the value of investing in durability,” he explains.
Recognition and Awards
In 2024, Paradox celebrated its 20th anniversary, and Breault was honoured with a Leaders Award, recognizing his personal commitment and the company’s industry leadership.
The award validated years of hard work, innovation and the conviction that empowering people yields extraordinary results. It also elevated Paradox’s profile, opening doors to new partnerships and collaborations.
Looking Ahead: The Next 20 Years
As Paradox enters its third decade, the company remains focused on growth and innovation. Priorities include expanding Tough Cell® nationwide, bringing soil stabilization to more industries and regions; growing civil and engineering divisions, offering clients end-to-end infrastructure solutions; and leveraging technology, using advanced tools to increase efficiency, speed and sustainability.
“The next 20 years will be about scaling our impact,” says Breault. “We’ll continue to challenge conventional approaches and lead the industry toward smarter, more sustainable infrastructure.”
The company’s story is still unfolding, but one thing is sure: Breault never stops—always searching for better, faster, more innovative ways forward. His trust in his people and his insistence on surrounding himself with talent that matches Paradox’s future-focused vision, ensures the company is building more than infrastructure: it is building the next standard for the industry.
Learn more at paradoxaccess.com. 1.877.MUD.UGLY.
