Top achievers and other participants in the 2025-26 Buildings Without Barriers Challenge were recognized last week during the Building Owners and Managers Association (BOMA) of Canada’s annual national conference in Ottawa. Three major commercial real estate firms garnered honours for adopting Rick Hansen Foundation Accessibility Certification (RHFAC) in their efforts to make their portfolios more accommodating for users across the spectrum of abilities.
The challenge is a joint initiative of BOMA Canada and the Rick Hansen Foundation to encourage owners/managers to register at least three commercial and/or multifamily buildings for an RFAC rating. The awards recognize both organizational and building-level performance.
“Creating a more accessible built environment requires sustained commitment, measurable progress, innovative thinking and people with the knowledge and tools to put accessibility into practice,” observes Amanda Basi, senior director, programs, with the Rick Hansen Foundation. “These award recipients demonstrate the different ways organizations can advance accessibility and help create buildings that work better for everyone.”
This year, GWL Realty Advisors and QuadReal Property Group shared the Commitment Award, which recognizes the organization with the highest number of RHFAC-rated buildings and/or construction projects in its portfolio. The two companies also each merited awards individually.
QuadReal received the Innovation Award for attaining the top innovation score in a single RHFAC rating — awarded to Jamieson Place, a 38-storey Calgary office tower. Sarah Clarke, QuadReal’s senior vice president, commercial operational excellence, predicts that the attributes earning top marks at this location will be replicated in future projects throughout the portfolio.
“We look for innovative and sustainable ways to improve how tenants and residents experience our spaces, and accessibility is a key part of that work,” she affirms.
GWL Realty Advisors additionally received the Culture of Accessibility Award for boasting the largest complement of staff with RFHAC accessibility education among firms participating in the Challenge.
“The certifications and awards are meaningful markers of our shared progress, while encouraging us to keep learning, addressing barriers and making the buildings we manage more inclusive for everyone,” says Krystian Imgrund, vice president, sustainability and environmental occupational health and safety, at GWL Realty Advisors.
Colliers Real Estate Management Services received the Most Improved Award for Pender Place 2, part of two-tower office complex in Vancouver. The 16-storey building recorded the largest improvement in a RHFAC score between two sequential ratings.
“We regard this as inseparable from our social responsibility, and as straightforward good asset management,” maintains Ali Hoss, head of sustainability and asset optimization at Colliers.
