Canada boosts EV infrastructure funding

The federal government announced a $10.9-million investment to complete 22 electric vehicle (EV) infrastructure and education projects, accelerating the transition to zero-emission transportation for Canadians living in various types of housing.

“Driving electric can save a Canadian household between $23,000 and $32,000 over 10 years, but for the nearly one in three Canadian families who live in condominiums, stratas, and apartments, those savings can be out of reach,” said Travis Allan, president and CEO of the Canadian Charging Infrastructure Council. “ Every day, condo boards, property managers, and landlords ask our members the same question: What do we do when a resident wants to install electric vehicle charging? This guide, funded by the Government of Canada, will give them clear, practical answers, and help ensure the benefits of low-cost electric driving reach every Canadian, not just those with a driveway.”

The funding includes almost $9 million to install nearly 400 chargers through nine projects funded by the Zero Emission Vehicle Infrastructure Program. Additionally, around $2 million in funding will support 13 education and awareness initiatives about EV charging.

In British Columbia, these investments build on electrification efforts in the province, where there are now more than 8,900 public charging ports–an increase of 87 per cent since 2023.

Canada in step with real estate bounce back

Canada dropped a notch in the rankings of the world’s largest professionally managed real estate markets last year, even while regaining asset value since 2024. MSCI’s newly released 2025 overview of global market size pegs the value of Canadian investment property at USD $387 billion (CAD $531 billion as of Dec. 31, 2025), slotting it at 10th among the 38 national markets surveyed. That’s down from ninth in 2024 when the Canada’s professionally managed universe was valued at USD $375 billion.

Canada was in sync with the general bounce-back trend across the broad base of 38 countries, which saw total market value climb up to USD $13.5 trillion after three consecutive years of decline. All but three countries contributed to the USD $1.1 trillion year-over-year increase from 2024, with gains ranging from USD $225 billion in the United States to USD $1 billion in Hungary and Slovakia.

MSCI analysts highlight growth in transaction volume, the ongoing shift from office to industrial in portfolio composition and the notable uptick in data centres as a subset of the latter. Globally, the average turnover rate of investment properties was 6.9 per cent, up from 6.2 per cent in 2024. Canada lagged a little behind the average at 6.4 per cent, while the U.S. outpaced it at 8.8 per cent. South Korea registered the most deal activity with a 12.4 per cent turnover rate.

“Real estate has weathered several difficult years since the pandemic reshaped the workplace and the way society interacts. This year’s data suggests the worst may be behind us,” observes Shaleen Khatod, MSCI’s global head of real assets. “But the recovery is not a simple return to where the market was. The market investors are re-entering is not the one they left.”

The U.S. continued to dominate as a share of value, accounting for 37.6 per cent of the total, but lost ground as it slipped from its nearly 39 per cent weighting in 2024. The same pattern holds true for Canada, which saw its share of the total weight fall 15 basis points (bps), from 3.02 per cent in 2024 to 2.87 per cent in 2025.

That occurred as currency values appreciated against the U.S. dollar in all but three countries, and most notably in Europe. The Canadian dollar’s year-over-year improvement was roughly on par with the 4.9 per cent global average, while the value of the Swedish krona rose nearly 20 per cent, the Swiss franc climbed about 14 per cent and the euro gained 13 per cent.

Jostling in the market size rankings since 2024 bumped Switzerland up two places, to eighth, supplanting both Hong Kong (ninth) and Canada (10th) in 2025. The United Kingdom and China switched slots in 2025, with the U.K. moving up to second following a USD $91 billion gain in value and China falling to third with a USD $18 billion decline. Japan, Germany, France and Australia stayed the course — respectively ranked fourth, fifth, sixth and seventh — in both 2024 and 2025, and Sweden remained in 11th, but with a 39 bps gain in market weight in 2025.

Office was the predominant investment property sector in 2025, equating to 26.8 per cent of total assets. Still, that’s a further erosion from 27.2 per cent in 2024 and 28.9 per cent in 2023. In contrast, industrial’s share grew to 20.5 per cent, up from 18.9 per cent in 2024. The remainder splits out at: 22.7 per cent residential; 18. 2 per cent retail; and 8.3 per cent for hotel and health care.

The breakdown is significantly different in the Americas, where residential properties account for 30.1 per cent of investment assets, followed by industrial at 24.3 per cent and office at 18.1 per cent. Nevertheless, the U.S. hosts the largest office market among the 38 countries, representing about 25 per cent of all office assets.

MSCI analysts suggest the evolution of portfolio weighting fits into a larger economic context, and point to still more macroeconomic influences — artificial intelligence, climate risk and the shift away from fossil fuels — that seem set to intensify.

“These are not short-term rotations. They reflect a structural change in what investors believe the physical economy is worth,” Khatod maintains.

Canada’s rental market edges toward stability

Canada’s rental market is showing early signs of stabilization, according to the latest National Rent Report from Rentals.ca and Urbanation. While July marked the 22nd straight month of annual rent declines, average asking rents fell 4.0 per cent year‑over‑year to $2,037 — the smallest annual drop since early 2026. Month‑over‑month, rents nudged up 0.2 per cent, extending a four‑month streak of modest gains after hitting a nearly three‑year low this spring.

Over two years, rents have slipped 7.5 per cent, landing at their lowest July level since 2022. But the tone of the market is shifting, with seasonal momentum and tightening supply in key cities hinting at a possible turning point.

“Canada’s rental market is showing signs of stabilizing, but not yet recovering,” said Shaun Hildebrand, President at Urbanation. “While rents have risen for four straight months, this is typical seasonal momentum heading into the back-to-school period, with annual declines persisting across most of the country. Toronto remains the standout, with supply tightening and rents approaching positive annual territory, making it a market worth watching as a potential leading indicator.”

Purpose‑built rentals continued to outperform other housing types, with average asking rents down just 2.6 per cent year‑over‑year to $2,041. Larger units held firm: three‑bedroom purpose‑built rents were essentially unchanged. Condo rents, meanwhile, dropped 6.3 per cent to $2,063, driven by a sharp 9.6 per cent decline in studio units. Houses and townhomes saw the steepest annual pullback, falling 7.5 per cent to $2,007.

Across purpose‑built and condo apartments, the national average reached $2,043 in July, up 0.3 per cent from June. Ontario posted the strongest monthly rise at 0.6 per cent, with British Columbia and Alberta also inching higher. Saskatchewan and Manitoba—leaders in rent growth over the past year—slipped slightly.

Annual declines remained concentrated in the country’s largest provinces, including Alberta (‑4.3%), British Columbia (‑4.1%) and Ontario (‑3.7%). Nova Scotia (+4.5%) and Manitoba (+1.5%) bucked the trend with continued annual increases.

Nova Scotia held its position as the most expensive province for apartment and condo rents at $2,377, edging out B.C. for the third straight month. The premium reflects a wave of high‑priced listings in newly completed buildings and a larger share of bigger units—two‑bedroom‑plus homes accounted for 52 per cent of Nova Scotia’s rental stock in July, compared to 43 per cent in B.C.

In Canada’s largest cities, rents climbed in Toronto (+1.6% to $2,577), Calgary (+0.5%) and Edmonton (+0.1%), while Vancouver (‑1.4%) and Montreal (‑0.4%) moved lower and Ottawa held steady (‑0.2%). Toronto’s fourth consecutive monthly increase left annual rents down just 0.6 per cent, the smallest decline among major markets. Listings fell roughly 6 per centy year‑over‑year, pointing to tightening supply and a potential shift toward growth.

Calgary and Vancouver recorded the largest annual declines (‑4.5% each), followed by Edmonton (‑3.6%). Montreal (‑1.6%) and Ottawa (‑2.4%) were comparatively more stable.

Outside the major centres, volatility persisted. Dartmouth posted the country’s largest annual increase (+13.1%), with notable gains in Lloydminster (+11.3%), Welland (+6.9%) and North York (+5.1%). Double‑digit declines clustered around markets adjacent to Quebec and Ontario’s largest cities, including Côte Saint‑Luc (‑12.9%), Abbotsford (‑12.4%), Markham (‑11.9%) and Longueuil (‑10.9%).

Nova Scotia invites tidal energy proposals

The Nova Scotia government plans to offer power purchase agreements for up to 7.7 megawatts (MW) of tidal energy generating capacity in the Bay of Fundy to be delivered through a newly launched call for demonstration projects. Prospective proponents can submit applications until Sept. 30 for proposed projects of less than 2 MW deploying tidal stream generating technologies that have advanced to a credible state of viability.

The initiative is enabled through Nova Scotia’s Marine Renewable-energy Act, which establishes zones within the Bay of Fundy where tidal energy technologies can be tested and evaluated in real-world conditions. Two demonstration project permits, totaling 2.3 MW of generating capacity, have already been awarded. Chosen proponents in the next phase must fulfill environmental compliance, risk management and community engagement requirements in return for a five-year permit to operate with potential for renewal to a maximum of 18 years.

“We are opening up a unique chance to explore new energy technologies in the Bay of Fundy,” says Marco MacLeod, Nova Scotia’s Minister of Energy. “This program will help us learn more about the potential for marine renewable energy.”

The Bay of Fundy serves up a dynamic laboratory with the world’s highest tidal range and tidal currents that can reach speeds of 5 metres per second. More than 160 billion tonnes of water flows through the bay during each tidal cycle.

Applicants are instructed to state an anticipated electricity rate no greater than $500 per megawatt-hour ($0.50 per kilowatt-hour), which is to be backed up with financial details in their project submissions. As well, successful proponents will be expected to pay annual rent equivalent to $2,500 per MW of installed generating capacity and $20 per hectare within their permit area.

Permit holders will be entitled to construct, install and operate one or more generators to reach their capacity ceiling, along with associated infrastructure, equipment and cabling. However, they must obtain government sign-off on various required plans before any work can commence, including for:

environmental monitoring;
risk assessment;
Mi′maq engagement and stakeholder communications; and
decommissioning and rehabilitation following the shutdown of operations.

Government reviewers will assess project readiness, technical feasibility, environmental considerations, innovation factors and applicants’ experience in evaluating the submissions. Decisions on permit issuance are expected to be announced by year-end 2026.

New modelling tool gauges GRESB score outcomes

The Institute of Real Estate Management (IREM) is promoting a big-picture perspective on asset-level actions with the launch of a modelling tool tied to its certified sustainable property (CSP) program. Property and asset managers can use the interactive digital platform to estimate how CSP certifications could translate into points in the GRESB assessment and benchmark of ESG performance in commercial real estate portfolios.

Building certifications are one of the elements contributing to the performance component of the GRESB score. Real estate entities participating in the assessment can earn a maximum of 8.5 points for operational certification, based on the percentage of floor space within the portfolio that is certified under a recognized program for building operations such as CSP, BOMA BEST, LEED for operations and maintenance (O+M) or WELL.

IREM characterizes the modelling tool as a strategic planning aid to guide decision-making and better connect sustainability initiatives to investor expectations. Beyond CSP, it provides the functionality to compare the costs and implementation criteria of various operational certifications — an approach in keeping with IREM’s underpinning agenda to provide industry guidance and sustainability leadership.

“This tool gives owners, managers and sustainability teams a clearer way to see how operational certification can support larger portfolio goals,” says Mindy Gronbeck, IREM president for 2026. “It takes a complex scoring concept and turns it into a practical planning conversation.”

Federal funding fuels Toronto’s rental build‑out

Toronto’s apartment sector is set for another wave of new supply following a joint announcement from the City of Toronto and the Government of Canada, confirming up to $2.7 billion in federal funding to speed up housing delivery and expand purpose‑built rental stock. The City is adding $703.7 million of its own funding and incentives, a combined investment expected to bring 5,600 rental homes to neighbourhoods across the city.

The federal contribution includes more than $1.8 billion in low‑cost financing through the Apartment Construction Loan Program, backing nine projects that will deliver over 3,700 rental units. A further $310 million through Build Canada Homes will advance nine additional projects on City‑owned land, producing roughly 1,800 homes across a mix of affordable, rent‑geared‑to‑income, rent‑controlled and supportive housing. These City‑led developments will be delivered with public, non‑profit and Indigenous housing partners.

Prime Minister Mark Carney framed the announcement as evidence that intergovernmental collaboration can meaningfully shift rental supply: “Toronto is becoming a model for how a great city can build its way forward… This is what is possible when governments build together.”

Mayor Olivia Chow echoed the affordability focus, noting that the investment “means more people will have the opportunity to find a home they can afford, stay close to their communities and build a future in the city they love.”

The funding arrives as Toronto continues to roll out policy tools aimed at lowering project costs and accelerating timelines. Earlier this year, the City, Province and federal government introduced the Development Charge Reduction Program, a $1.5‑billion initiative that cuts development charges by 40–60% for more than three years. Toronto is also launching a new phase of its Purpose‑Built Rental Housing Incentives Stream, allowing development charges to be deferred indefinitely for projects that include at least 20% affordable units.

Taken together, these measures signal a coordinated effort to stabilize and expand rental supply at a time when demand remains high and construction economics are strained. For the apartment sector, the latest announcement adds momentum to a growing pipeline of projects supported by clearer partnership models, more predictable capital, and incentives aimed at long‑term affordability.

ASHRAE scholarships recognize worldwide merit

Canadian engineering students stand out among top recipients of 2026 ASHRAE scholarships to support professional studies related to built environment design, technologies and performance. This year, 47 students worldwide shared in the USD $225,200 (CAD $315,280) dispersed for the upcoming academic year.

“By investing in these students today, ASHRAE is helping develop the engineers and innovators who will create healthier, more resilient and more sustainable buildings for communities around the world,” observes Sarah Maston, ASHRAE Society president for 2026-27. “The future of our industry depends on the talent, curiosity and determination of the next generation.”

To qualify, scholarship applicants must: be enrolled at a post-secondary institution that grants accredited engineering or technology degrees or diplomas and/or hosts an active ASHRAE student branch; maintain above-average scholastic results; and demonstrate professional aptitude, community commitment and leadership skills. Students at four Canadian post-secondary institutions emerged from that field, along with beneficiaries pursuing studies in the United States, Bangladesh, Egypt, Ghana, Hong Kong, India, Lagos, Malaysia and Pakistan.

Junhyuk (Harry) Lee, a mechanical engineering student at University of Manitoba, has received the ASHRAE Presidents Scholarship. The USD $12,500 (CAD $17,500) bursary is awarded over a two-year period to a student enrolled in an undergraduate Bachelor of Science in engineering program.

Luna Marouf a mechanical engineering student at York University is one of the two winners of the USD $10,000 (CAD $14,000) Willis H. Carrier Scholarship. The award’s name honours the originator of the world’s first scientifically designed air conditioning system.

Genevieve Beirne, a mechanical engineering student at University of Toronto, has received the USD $5,000 (CAD $7,000) Lynn G. Bellenger Engineering Scholarship, which is awarded to a female enrolled in an undergraduate engineering program. The scholarship is named in honour of the first woman to serve as ASHRAE society president, which transpired in 2010-11.

Mathew Lynch, a student of heating, refrigeration and air conditioning technology at George Brown College, has received the USD $5,000 (CAD $7,000) Engineering Technology Scholarship. The bursary is bestowed to a student pursuing either a Bachelor’s or Associate degree in a discipline aligned with a career in the HVAC&R sector.

New research suggests rising risks for Canada’s housing market

Canada’s housing market is straining under the weight of shifting economic conditions, cooling demographic growth, and a sharp reversal in investor sentiment. A new report from Signal49 Research paints a picture of a sector adjusting to a very different reality than the one that fuelled its rapid expansion just a few years ago.

After months of relief from falling mortgage rates, that momentum has stalled. The report notes that the U.S.–Iran conflict has rattled global investors, pushing bond yields higher and keeping them elevated even as tensions ease. At the same time, employment insecurity is weighing on consumer confidence, limiting buyers’ willingness to take on new debt.

The recent strength in housing starts—particularly in the apartment sector—reflects decisions made when Canada’s population was expanding at record speed. With much lower federal immigration targets now in place, rental demand has softened. This shift is undermining the outlook for both purpose-built rentals and investor-owned condos that were expected to be rented out.

The resale market showed modest improvement in April and May. Prices have corrected enough in some regions to draw buyers back in, even as many remain cautious. Still, sales volumes are running below levels normally expected relative to Canada’s population, suggesting that confidence has not fully returned.

Apartment backlogs

The report highlights stark regional differences in unsold apartment inventory:

Vancouver and Montréal continue to carry the largest number of unsold units.
Calgary’s inventory is smaller and appears to have stabilized.
Toronto, however, stands out: its backlog of unsold apartments grew more than fifteenfold between December 2024 and May 2026. Even this dramatic increase, the report argues, does not fully capture the depth of the market’s weakness.

The findings underscore that Canada’s housing landscape is currently in transition, moving away from the boom conditions of the early 2020s and into a more uncertain, demand‑sensitive era. For policymakers, developers, and investors, the full implications are only beginning to emerge.

The full Signal49 Research report is available here: Canada’s Five-Year Housing Outlook—August 2026 – Signal49 Research

Mastering cleaning schedules

As cleaning companies get busier, struggling to better manage labour shortages, employee turnover, and scaling the business, efficient scheduling is more important than ever. Research shows that small businesses spend about 20 hours per week on manual administrative tasks, so improving operations and leveraging automation where you can, will cut down on that manpower and boost efficiency.

Leveraging tech to improve scheduling is an important tool for growing cleaning companies. From setting alerts and reminders to allocating teams, proper scheduling can maximize your margins, provide better balance for your staff, and offer an improved experience for your customers.

Start at the beginning

Creating “client cards” for your customers will allow you to access those jobs quicker and update the status, issue invoicing, or access contact information better. Once your customers have been organized, set schedule reminders, alerts for recurring services, and flag booking conflicts or overlapping appointments, so you don’t have to worry about missing something or double booking either your customers or your teams. As part of your setup, ensure that you set permissions and parameters for your system, only allowing approved access to scheduling and related features.

Some software even offers a “self-booking” feature, which can help save you admin time, but ensure that there are parameters like time limits, blackout dates, and service-type filtering so a client can’t accidentally book a post-construction clean when only a standard team is available.

Optimize fleet management

Whether you have a full fleet or not, maximizing labour allocation comes with route optimization. Use technology here to group locations together for maximized scheduling, allocate travel time to provide accurate and reasonable start times to clients, and look for software that can divide staff into specific zones for larger sites.

Along with helping with scheduling and labour cists, these features can also work towards you ESG goals by lowering emissions, reduce gas costs, and decrease vehicle wear and tear.

Enhance scheduling

Some software allows you to go beyond scheduling, with features like adding job notes like alarm codes, chemical restrictions, entry protocols, and more right into the event so that the cleaner heading to the job has all the info they need.

You may also be able to use your scheduling tools to allow employees to better manage their time with mobile availability for digital sign-ins, task signoffs, and instant notifications regarding last-minute shift modifications.

Commercial cleaners are managing so many tasks that simplifying your scheduling can reduce your headaches, improve efficiency, and save you money.

Designing a civic plaza for an iconic Calgary Corner

Located at the eastern gateway to Calgary’s Mission district, Broadway on 17th is a three-tower mixed-use development that transforms a long-underutilized site into a dense, walkable urban destination along one of the city’s most important pedestrian corridors.

Rather than treating the development as a standalone residential project, the design by Zeidler Architecture positions the site as a city-building opportunity — repairing a gap in activity along 17th Avenue and establishing a new anchor for future growth along the corridor.

Organized around a generous public square and a network of mid-block pedestrian connections, the project extends the public life of the street into the site and creates a new gathering space designed to support everyday use as well as larger community events.

A vertical extension of the public realm
At the core of the project is a layered podium designed as a vertical extension of 17th Avenue rather than a conventional base condition.

Retail, grocery, daycare, and shared residential amenities are stacked to create continuous activity throughout the day, reinforcing the relationship between the public square and the life of the building. Terraces and shared spaces overlook the plaza, supporting visual connection between residents and the surrounding neighbourhood while strengthening the sense of the square as an inhabited civic room.

This sectional approach allows the public realm to extend beyond grade, creating a multi-level pedestrian experience that supports year-round activity in Calgary’s climate.

Built form shaped by the street
The development maintains a strong streetwall condition along 17th Avenue before transitioning to taller residential towers that frame the site and respond to surrounding neighbourhood scale.

A brick podium references the historic character of the corridor while establishing a durable urban base suited to the intensity of activity at grade. Above, the three residential towers introduce a varied skyline presence that marks the eastern gateway to the Beltline and Mission districts.

Together, the podium, plaza, and towers establish a new urban threshold that strengthens the transition between downtown Calgary and its surrounding inner-city neighbourhoods.

A catalyst for corridor transformation
Broadway on 17th demonstrates how large-scale residential growth can be aligned with meaningful public-realm investment to support long-term neighbourhood evolution.

By integrating housing, daily-life services, and flexible gathering space within a single coordinated framework, the project contributes to the continued transformation of 17th Avenue as a year-round destination for residents and visitors alike.

Broadway on 17th demonstrates how architecture can support city-building at multiple scales — from the design of individual residential towers to the creation of new civic space that strengthens the structure of the surrounding neighbourhood. By pairing density with an active public realm and vertically integrated daily-life programming, the project establishes a new model for mixed-use growth along Calgary’s primary urban corridors.

The project is scheduled to complete in 2030.

North Vancouver opens its largest recreation centre

The new Harry Jerome Community Recreation Centre in North Vancouver has officially opened. The complex represents the largest community recreation facility on the North Shore and a landmark investment in recreation, health and community well-being.

The 189,000 square-foot building was designed by architecture firm HCMA Architecture and Design with a unique focus on publicly accessible spaces designed to bring community together. The project is Canada Green Building Council Zero Carbon Design certified. Smith Bros & Wilson was the general contractor.

“The Harry Jerome Community Recreation Centre is a generational project that will amplify community building in the City of North Vancouver. Shaped by the distinct geography of the North Shore, this building will redefine the role of recreation in this city. It will set new standards for accessibility and social inclusion, ensuring that anyone, regardless of background or ability, will find their place here,” said Paul Fast, project architect and principal, HCMA Architecture.

The aquatics centre, opening this fall, is only the second facility in Canada to feature an advanced low energy, low chlorine water filtration system. The aquatic centre includes a leisure pool with a lazy river, spray features and toddler play area; a 25-metre, 10-lane lap pool; a three-metre diving platform, three-metre springboard, and two one-metre springboards; an all-ages hot pool; and universal as well as gender-inclusive change rooms and washrooms.

The NHL-sized arena can accommodate hockey, para ice hockey, ringette, public skating, lacrosse, inline hockey, and other dry-floor sports, with seating for up to 500 spectators. Additional amenities in the centre include eight flexible multi-purpose rooms, expansive indoor and outdoor fitness areas, an Olympic-sized gymnasium, arts studio, youth and early years spaces, a community kitchen, and gathering spaces designed to support activities for residents across every stage of life.

“I am incredibly proud that after more than 20 years of planning, engagement and determination, the new Harry Jerome Community Recreation Centre is finally open to the residents of North Vancouver. The new Harry Jerome Community Recreation Centre is absolutely incredible. It is bright, welcoming, modern, and filled with enriching amenities. More importantly, it has been designed with people of all ages and abilities in mind,” said Mayor Linda Buchanan.

Preparing for the senior workforce shift

More Canadians over the age of 65 are continuing to work, whether full time, part time, or through multiple jobs. For employers, this is no longer a temporary trend; it is a workforce shift that is reshaping hiring, workplace policies, accommodations, benefits, and long-term planning. It is also an opportunity to re-think workplace design to ensure facilities provide safety and functionality for older workers.

Statistics Canada reports that 2025 marked the fifth consecutive year of increasing workforce participation among seniors. Participation rates now exceed pre-pandemic levels and are the highest recorded since tracking began in 1976. Approximately two out of five working seniors logged an average of 16 hours per week, and many worked more than one job.

The reasons behind this shift are complex. Older Canadians continue to face rising costs of living, food insecurity, personal debt, and declining access to pension plans. For many, working beyond age 65 is less about choice and more about financial stability.

The Government of Canada’s 2025 Economic Scan for Ontario noted that labour force participation among workers aged 65 and over has risen in recent years as the cost of living has increased. It also highlighted that the proportion of seniors is projected to rise from 18.8 per cent in 2025 to 22.5 per cent in 2035.

For employers, this means older workers will increasingly remain part of the workforce for longer periods of time. Businesses that proactively review their employment practices now will be better positioned to reduce legal risk, support retention, and create stronger workplace cultures moving forward.

This area of employment law can be nuanced because it often requires employers to balance employment standards obligations, human rights protections, benefits considerations, accommodations, and workplace policies simultaneously.

Here are some key considerations when employing older workers:

Age discrimination remains prohibited

Age discrimination is not permitted in hiring, promotions, training opportunities, workplace treatment, or terminations. As older workers remain active in the workforce longer, employers should ensure workplace decisions are based on legitimate business considerations rather than assumptions connected to age.

Mandatory retirement is largely gone

Mandatory retirement has mostly disappeared in Ontario workplaces, subject to limited exceptions that can be difficult to establish legally. The Ontario Human Rights Commission has confirmed that employees over the age of 65 who believe they lost employment because of age may pursue human rights claims based on age discrimination.

Benefits plans require careful review

Benefits and health insurance programs involving employees over age 65 remain legally complex. Differential treatment in benefits plans may create tensions between legislation, insurance structures, and evolving human rights tribunal decisions. Employers should carefully review how their current plans apply to older workers and seek legal advice where needed.

Practical steps employers can take now

One of the best places to start is with a policy review. Employers should ensure workplace policies:

avoid age-based assumptions or language;
are written clearly;
align with current legal requirements; and
reflect how the workplace actually operates today.

Policies worth reviewing may include:

anti-discrimination and human rights policies;
recruitment and hiring policies;
pay equity policies;
accommodation and accessibility policies;
health and safety policies;
leave of absence policies;
training, development, and performance policies;
flexible work and part-time employment policies; and
termination policies.

Workplace culture matters, too

Legal compliance is important, but workplace culture also plays a significant role in reducing risk and improving employee experience. Employers should consider:

encouraging intergenerational collaboration;
addressing ageism proactively;
supporting knowledge sharing between employees; and
ensuring older workers feel included and respected.

Accommodation also remains an important consideration. Appropriate ergonomics, flexible scheduling, technology support, and accessible workplace practices can help employees continue working safely and effectively.

Whether or not your business actively hires employees over 65, there is a growing likelihood that existing employees may continue working beyond traditional retirement age.

With Canada’s aging population and increasing financial pressures on seniors, employers who proactively assess their workplace policies, benefits structures, accommodations, and employment practices now will be far better positioned to reduce risk and support a stable workforce moving forward. A proactive review today can help prevent costly disputes, human rights complaints, and policy gaps tomorrow.

Creating Work Spaces for an Older Labour Force

When designing for older adults, incorporating principles from inclusive and neurodiversity-focused design is a great starting point. It is essential to get a good brief from your clients or the buildings’ potential tenants, so you understand what is unique to their workplaces and the relevant design demands.

For starters, your facility can provide:

variable lighting that allows for brighter spaces when eyesight diminishes;
wide traffic areas, free of clutter and accessible design to allow for mobility aids;
assistive technology that provides voice options or alternatives to traditional keyboards, and mouse setups for computers with appropriate acoustic controls in office spaces;
private bathrooms;
different workspaces and furniture that allow for postural changes, such as standing, sitting and comfort;
break rooms; and
high contrast markings along stairs.

Shannon Baker is a Litigation Law Clerk at SpringLaw with 20-plus years of experience, specializing in employment law. An early adopter in virtual law clerking, she previously ran her own business supporting international lawyers. Her expertise in legal tech and writing contributed to a company’s IPO. Shannon is also a visual artist who combines analytical precision with creativity. She holds an ILCO certification, an Honours B.A. in Art History and a Diploma in Interior Design.

This article originally appeared on the SpringLaw Blog on May 13, 2026, and includes updates geared to the facility management field.

Ontario invests in first medical school for family doctors

The Ontario government is investing $55.8 million to help fund the province’s first medical school focused on training family doctors. The York School of Medicine, located at York University, is expected to open in 2028 with 80 undergraduate seats and 102 postgraduate seats, growing to 240 undergraduate seats and 293 postgraduate seats at full capacity.

“This will be a school where physicians are trained for the health system Ontarians need,” said Lisa Philipps, interim president and vice-chancellor of York University. “Together with our hospital and other health care partners, we are building a community-based model of medical education that will expand access to care across northern Toronto, York Region, Simcoe County, Muskoka and beyond as we move toward accreditation and prepare to welcome our inaugural class in 2028.”

The investment will fund initial planning such as accreditation, curriculum development, faculty recruitment, establishing a medical library, training costs, and operating costs.

“In building a medical school dedicated to training family and generalist physicians, we aim to transform how doctors are educated, equipping them to adapt to the changing needs of our communities and our health system,” said Dr. David Peters, dean of the faculty of health and dean of record at York University School of Medicine. “Through our unique-in-Canada curriculum, including an accelerated three-year MD program, residency training, and partnerships with local health care providers, we’re championing person-centred care that leverages deep community learning experiences to strengthen community health from home to hospital.”

The Ontario government is leading a large expansion of medical education that includes additional seats at all six medical schools across the province, as well as the establishment of the new Toronto Metropolitan University Medical School, which welcomed its inaugural cohort last fall in Brampton.

When procedural changes backfire

An ongoing dispute at an apartment building in Etobicoke is drawing attention across the sector as tenants push back against their landlord and property manager for what they are describing as “abrupt changes” to rent‑payment procedures. The conflict at 24 Mabelle underscores the risks Ontario landlords face when operational shifts collide with long‑standing lease terms, aging tenant populations, and evolving provincial legislation.

According to the Toronto Tenant Union, tenants staged a demonstration at Compten Property Management’s head office, delivering an oversized “mock cheque” to protest the company’s refusal to accept rent payments by cheque. Residents say the lobby mailbox was taped shut, cutting off the usual on‑site method of submitting rent, and that management now expects all tenants to use an online payment portal — a system many seniors cannot navigate. The conflict comes on the heels of a 9 per cent Above Guideline Rent Increase (AGI) application, intensifying pressure on long‑term tenants already coping with rising housing costs.

Legal opinions on the matter diverge. Benjamin Ries, Executive Director of South Etobicoke Community Legal Services, argues that many tenants have a defensible right to continue paying rent by cheque, either because their leases specify it or because landlords have accepted cheques consistently for years.

“The method and location of rent payment is a contractual matter that one party cannot unilaterally change just because they feel like it,” he said.” Landlords who refuse to accept the rent where and how they have already legally agreed to receive it… must not need the money too badly.”

On the flipside, Joe Hoffer of Cohen Highley LLP says most leases give landlords the authority to change payment methods, provided they do not require PAP or post‑dated cheques: “If the leases in question support the landlord’s right to change the manner of payment and contain a ‘no waiver’ clause (which most do) then the hysterical response by the Toronto Tenant Union is just political and has no basis in law,” he said.

Hoffer added that even if leases do not explicitly permit such changes, landlords may still impose reasonable rules — including requiring the use of a portal — if justified. Past challenges to landlords refusing cash payments were unsuccessful, he noted, because eliminating theft risk was deemed reasonable.

At the same time, he acknowledges that there are some limits: if the change is motivated solely by landlord convenience and unsupported by lease provisions, it may be unenforceable.

“The claims by the Union that these 90‑year‑olds may lose their housing are simply fear‑mongering to gain support for their own cause,” he said. “No tenant will be evicted for declining to pay rent as demanded, even if the landlord has a right under the lease to require the change.”

Bill 60 and future legal challenges

The 24 Mabelle dispute is emerging as a cautionary example for landlords across Canada, particularly in Ontario, where Bill 60 will soon reshape the eviction process. With shorter timelines to correct paperwork issues and fewer defences available at hearings, operational changes — such as shifting to digital‑only payment systems — could escalate into eviction risks more quickly, even when tenants attempt to pay their rent. Sudden procedural adjustments may trigger legal challenges, reputational harm, and heightened scrutiny from tenant advocates and community legal clinics.

More broadly, the situation highlights the tension between digital modernization and tenant accessibility. As online portals become more common, seniors, newcomers, and tenants without reliable internet access may struggle to comply. Without alternative payment options, these residents become vulnerable to administrative eviction notices despite long histories of timely payment. In a climate shaped by AGIs, rising operating costs, and regulatory change, operational consistency and clear communication are becoming essential risk‑management tools.

In Hoffer’s view, clear communication and adherence to lease terms are not just best practices but essential safeguards in an environment where administrative missteps can quickly escalate into legal challenges, public scrutiny, and avoidable arrears.

“By ensuring tenants have reliable, legally compliant ways to pay rent,” he noted, “landlords reduce friction, minimize the likelihood of contested notices, and reinforce the operational consistency that underpins long‑term asset performance.”

Plans unfold for new Saint John recreational facility

The federal government is committing up to $29.8 million to construct the Saint John Multipurpose Recreational Facility in New Brunswick.

The investment from the Build Communities Strong Fund will complement a municipal contribution of $20 million to help build two ice surfaces, a library, and a dedicated space for community support services.

The facility will connect to the Irving Oil Field House and complement its indoor fitness programs. An integrated heating and cooling system shared between the two facilities will also support Saint John’s net-zero greenhouse gas emissions targets.

This project aims to improve accessibility, inclusivity, and quality of life for residents.

“Investing in modern, energy efficient community infrastructure is an investment in the future of our city and our region,” said Mayor Donna Noade Reardon. “This exciting initiative strengthens our ability to meet the needs of an increasingly growing, healthy and active population, while also supporting our long-term vision for a more sustainable, inclusive, and resilient Saint John.

How Modular Construction Accelerates Patient Access to Life Saving Diagnostic Imaging

Medical providers rely on diagnostic imaging to identify, evaluate, and track a broad spectrum of medical conditions. While the Ontario Ministry of Health emphasizes that the province completes more scans than ever, a recent independent report by the Canadian Institute for Health Information (CIHI) confirms that patients still experience delays that routinely exceed recommended targets.

Over the past twenty years, the average age of imaging equipment in Canada has increased, with at least one-third of equipment now being over ten years old. Funding for renewed equipment is urgently needed; with that comes the need for infrastructure to house it.

While traditional construction follows a linear sequence where one event must be completed before another, modular construction allows for work to progress in parallel workflows. Cassette® fabrication occurs off-site in a factory-controlled environment, meaning site preparation — laying foundations, utilities, and building the physical shell — begins simultaneously rather than sequentially, substantially reducing the pressure point of diagnostic imaging wait times.

Faster deployment means faster patient access

There is a clear timeline difference between traditional building and prefabrication: a conventional on-site expansion of a diagnostic imaging department can take an average of 24-36 months to construct. In contrast, prefabricated MRI/CT Cassettes arrive substantially complete, compressing that timeline to 12-16 months for site prep, placement and commissioning. Every month saved translates to reduced wait times; more patients screened means potentially, more lives saved.

Headwaters Health Care Centre, Orangeville, ON (2025)

Cost Vs Quality Vs Time

Definitively, modular Cassette infrastructure is breaking the construction triangle of cost vs quality vs time. On-site work in hospital settings is often restricted to small windows to reduce impact on clinical operations, which can double or triple construction timelines. With modular construction, there is minimal disruption to active clinical environments — a critical factor for hospitals facing prolonged construction adjacent to patient care areas.

As well, weather conditions frequently stall traditional construction delaying exterior site preparation for months out of the year. Cassette fabrication happens entirely in a factory-controlled environment, improving labour efficiency, quality control, and reducing cost overruns. The site logistics that consistently plague conventional healthcare construction are eradicated. Instead, predictable delivery dates enable coordinated equipment procurement, vendor scheduling, and clinical planning with far less risk of cascading delays.

No Compromise on Code

Despite the speed at which modular construction is built, the units never compromise in standards. Neither temporary or trailer-grade, prefabricated Cassettes are engineered to meet the same CSA Z8000, National Building Code, and provincial healthcare facility standards as conventional construction. They are also fully compliant with RF shielding performance requirements, magnetic siting criteria, HVAC/pressurization standards, and infection prevention and control (IPAC) design guidelines.

Cassette® CT suite during factory production (2025)

Quality assurance happens in a controlled environment with repeatable processes, including RF shielding installation and testing before the unit ever reaches the site. Once the site preparation is complete, the prefabricated modular Cassettes are shipped to the site and crane-assembled, often complete with medical gas lines, electrical wiring, and plumbing already pressure-tested and certified in the factory, cutting down the final operational readiness phase by several months.

Once in place, the modular Cassettes provide the same stability and longevity as stick-built construction and have the same lifecycle expectations with a 50+ year lifespan.

However, the integration of a prefabricated diagnostic suite is entirely dependent on the speed of government procurement — a process which often exceeds the physical construction timeline itself. A suite can be delivered in months, while the lengthy administrative procurement processes undermine the modular’s core speed advantage. This inefficiency leads to financial waste, as inflation and equipment costs compound during the prolonged waiting periods.

Meanwhile, patients absorb the cost of administrative timelines through longer diagnostic wait lists and deferred diagnoses.

Once funding is approved, SDI Canada can react quickly. Their prefabricated modular Cassette solution can be designed, built and delivered in as little as 6 months, installed in 2 days, and ready to receive patients within 5 weeks.

Consider this: In 2024, Brockville General Hospital saw its first patient scanned in a new MRI suite just 12 months after the construction contract was awarded. Similarly, St. Joseph’s Hospital in Estevan, SK, saw a high-spec MRI Cassette delivered within 9 months of starting construction.

The Sioux Lookout Meno Ya Win Health Centre in Northern Ontario — where patients previously had to travel to either Thunder Bay or Winnipeg to receive care — established an MRI department in 2026 within 13 months of the contract being awarded. And at the Upper River Valley Hospital in Waterville, NB, a high spec MRI Cassette was delivered to the site within 9 months of construction beginning.

These are not outliers; this is the new benchmark for diagnostic infrastructure in Canada.

Founded in 2003, SDI Canada is the Canadian leader in the implementation of MRI and biomedical equipment, the design and construction of medical infrastructures and the distribution of specialized accessories. To learn more, visit www.sdicanada.ca or email [email protected].

Manitoba funds 43 school playground projects

The Manitoba government is investing $3 million through the new Healthy Kids, Healthy Communities Play Structure Fund to support 43 playground projects across the province.

Introduced in Budget 2026, the new fund helps reduce fundraising pressures on parent councils and supports school divisions as they transition to budgeting for playground construction and replacement projects that boost safety and accessibility. Under the program, the government provides funding for up to 75 per cent of eligible costs to a maximum of $100,000 per project.

The investment includes 38 new projects, including Bison Run School and Springfield Heights School, funded through the Healthy Kids, Healthy Communities Play Structure Fund; and five playground projects at recently built schools funded through school capital project budgets.

“Every child deserves a safe and welcoming place to play, learn and connect with classmates,” said Education and Early Childhood Learning Minister Tracy Schmidt. “By investing in playgrounds, we are investing in healthy kids, stronger communities and better opportunities for children to be active and thrive.”