Reactivation care centre begins ascent in Hamilton

More patients who no longer require acute care services in Hamilton, Ont., will soon be able to transition into a new alternative facility for restorative and specialty care.

The province will invest more than $16 million into a reactivation care centre, which broke ground today. The project is in partnership with St. Joseph’s Healthcare Hamilton (SJHH) and Hamilton Health Sciences (HHS).

Once opened, the 28,000 square-foot centre will include 57 transitional care beds across three units to connect people to a variety of reactivation care needs, including complex care, dementia care services and behavioural support services.

There will also be four rooms with dialysis services for access to convenient, on-site hemodialysis treatment.

“Health care in our region will be more accessible for all because of this initiative,” said HHS President and CEO Tracey MacArthur. “More capacity in our region to transition patients out of hospital helps our services and teams function more effectively.”

In the Hamilton region, the government is also working on hospital projects including the St. Joseph’s Healthcare Hamilton psychiatric emergency service redevelopment, Hamilton General Hospital’s emergency department expansion, and the West Lincoln Memorial Hospital redevelopment.

“With an estimated 250,000 Ontario residents living with dementia, the new Reactivation Care Centre presents an opportunity to better serve our vulnerable populations, added Minister of Long-Term Care Natalia Kusendova-Bashta. “The innovative model of care used by reactivation care centres ensures that Ontario’s vulnerable population groups receive the care they need, freeing up much-needed hospital beds.”

How to hire the best for your business

As a franchise owner in the commercial cleaning industry, understanding the pivotal role that effective hiring practices play in the success of the unit franchisees is critical. It’s important to recognize that the industry thrives on the reliability, professionalism, and skill of cleaning technicians, making it crucial for franchisees to hire and retain the best talent.

There are a few steps that franchisees can take to build a dedicated cleaning team that delivers exceptional service and drives the success of their business.

Write an effective job posting

Crafting an effective job posting is the cornerstone of a successful hiring process for cleaning or maintenance staff. A well-structured job posting attracts qualified candidates and sets the tone for the company’s professional image. Here are some key elements to consider when writing a compelling job posting:

Clearly outline the job duties and responsibilities

Provide a detailed description of the job duties and responsibilities. What specific tasks will the candidate be required to perform? Be as thorough as possible to avoid any misunderstandings or mismatched expectations. This transparency also allows potential candidates to self-assess their fit for the role and helps attract viable candidates.

Use clear and concise language

Avoid industry jargon or technical terms that may confuse or deter potential candidates. Use simple, straightforward language that anyone can understand. Remember, the goal is to attract a vast pool of qualified applicants, so clarity is critical.

Highlight the benefits of working for your company

What makes your company a great place to work? Do you offer competitive salaries, comprehensive benefits, opportunities for professional development, or a positive work environment? Emphasize these perks to entice potential candidates and differentiate your job posting from others.

Tailor the job posting

Customize the job posting to align with the specific role and industry. Highlight the skills, experience, and qualifications essential for success in the cleaning or maintenance field. Research industry trends and incorporate relevant keywords to ensure your job posting stands out in search results.

Finding the best candidates

Identifying potential candidates is crucial to the hiring process. To attract the best cleaning or maintenance staff, it’s essential to cast a wide net and explore various channels.

One effective strategy is to tap into industry-specific job boards. These platforms cater to professionals within the cleaning or maintenance sector, increasing the chances of reaching qualified candidates. Websites like Indeed and CareerBuilder offer specialized job search options, allowing you to target your job posting to specific industries.

Leveraging social media platforms is another powerful tool for reaching potential candidates. Platforms like LinkedIn, Facebook, and X provide extensive networking opportunities and allow you to share job openings with a broader audience. Engaging with industry-related groups and forums on social media can help you connect with professionals actively looking for new opportunities.

Attending industry events and conferences is another excellent way to network with professionals in the field and identify potential candidates. These events provide opportunities to meet like-minded individuals, exchange ideas, and showcase your company’s values and job opportunities. Participating in industry associations or organizations can also help you stay connected to the latest trends and developments in the cleaning or maintenance sector, making you more attractive to potential candidates.

Screening candidates effectively

Moving beyond the initial applicant pool, screening candidates is key in identifying the most suitable individuals for your cleaning or maintenance team. To conduct effective screening, consider the following practices:

Ask specific questions about their experience and skills: During initial phone screens or interviews, investigate candidates’ past experiences. Ask about their proficiency in cleaning or maintenance tasks, familiarity with industry-specific equipment and techniques, and any relevant certifications or training they may possess.
Conduct thorough background checks: Background checks are essential for ensuring the safety and security of your workplace and clients. Verify the candidate’s identity, employment history, and potential criminal records.
Schedule in-person interviews: In-person interviews offer an opportunity to further assess candidates’ qualifications and compatibility with your company culture. Prepare a structured interview process with specific questions that delve into their problem-solving skills, communication style, and ability to handle challenging situations.

Implementing best hiring practices is essential for the success and growth of your commercial cleaning or maintenance company. By adhering to these best practices, your company will build a dedicated and competent workforce, ultimately enhancing service quality and customer satisfaction.

Mark Arduino is the Master Franchise Owner for Anago of Metro Detroit, part of the Anago Cleaning Systems brand supporting over 1800 franchises across the U.S. and Canada. For more information about Anago of Metro Detroit, visit AnagoCleaning.com/Metro-Detroit.

Qualico’s first high-rise condo breaks ground in Surrey

StreetSide Developments recently held a groundbreaking event in Surrey, B.C. for Qualico’s first-ever high-rise condo.

The 34-storey Juno tower will have 341 studio to three-bedroom lock‐off suites ranging from 374 to 1,294 square feet, six-storey podium and the largest amenity space within a standalone community in Surrey, B.C. at more than 37,000 square feet.

“Juno is going to be an exciting place to live. It’s centrally located in Surrey’s newly established business district in the city centre, which is undergoing a transformation as one of the fastest growing communities in Canada,” said Gary Mertens, regional vice-president, British Columbia,. “This ground-breaking represents a major step forward.”

Brenda Locke, Mayor of Surrey, also attended the groundbreaking event last week. “Congratulations to the Qualico and StreetSide Developments team,” she said. “This is the only project in Surrey to launch sales and break ground in the same year. Notably, it’s only the second high-rise in the entire region to break ground so far in 2024.”

The next step for Juno is excavation of the large six-storey parkade, and machines are now on site removing the old asphalt from the previous tenant.

Retail squeeze buoys mixed-use development

Retail rent movement was mostly in an upward direction across Canada’s largest urban markets during the first half of 2024. Toronto and Ottawa emerge as rent growth leaders in CBRE Canada’s newly released survey, while power centres have enjoyed the most consistent nationwide gains among nine retail segments monitored. Analysts foresee the meld of robust demand and continued reluctance to build new space will keep pushing rents up through this summer and fall.

“The Canadian marketplace is currently in a supply-deprived environment,” says Molly Westbrook, executive vice president and managing director with CBRE’s national retail group. “Retailers are being strategic, but are also having to move fast.”

Downward rent trends were rare anywhere within the 11 markets CBRE monitors — observed only in downtown mixed-use development in Vancouver and enclosed community shopping centres in Waterloo Region. In contrast, 40 different combinations of markets/retail segments posted rent gains above the second half of 2023, which CBRE reports as the most widespread improvement in any six-month period since it launched the rent survey.

Notably, power centres commanded higher rents than last year in all seven markets east of Alberta. Open-air community shopping centres and convenience/strip plazas each made rent gains in five markets, while retail in downtown mixed-use developments realized increases in three markets.

The latter trend is tied to the limited delivery of new retail supply, which is mostly occurring as new mixed-use residential-commercial projects are completed. Particularly in Toronto, where rents increased in five of nine retail segments over the course of the winter and spring, urban mixed-use developments are flagged as key to the competitive mix.

“Quality space is in very short supply and rents continue to appreciate,” says Arlin Markowitz, executive vice president with CBRE in Toronto. “In response, tenants are starting to widen their search area to include nodes farther outside the traditional core markets to sites with higher levels of intensification.”

“The next wave of retail supply will predominantly come in the form of mixed-use developments as city councils seek to increase density featuring CRUs (commercial retail units) at grade,” concurs Adrian Beruschi, a senior vice president with CBRE in Vancouver. “At present, there are over 120 multifamily developments throughout the Metro Vancouver region that are incorporating retail in some way.”

Asking rates for urban mixed-use retail locations are markedly higher in the two cities — in the range of $40 to $75 per square foot (psf) in Toronto, and $60 to $90 psf in Vancouver — than in other Canadian cities, particularly those in the prairie provinces. However, space in urban mixed-use developments is a bargain compared to key downtown shopping districts in the two cities.

Toronto’s Bloor-Yorkville district is Canada’s priciest retail real estate, where rising rents hit the range of $225 to $300 psf during the first half of 2024. The most moderately priced of Toronto’s five downtown retail districts, along Ossington Avenue, also saw rent gains in the first half, bumping them up to the range of $60 to $80 psf.

Meanwhile, rents in Vancouver’s four downtown shopping districts held steady this winter and spring. Alberni Street continues to command rents in the range of $195 to $300 psf, while rents on Granville Street, the most affordable of the four areas, hover around $85 to $125 psf.

Looking to markets with differing land use patterns, Calgary charted rising rents in mixed-use suburban developments. That’s a retail segment that doesn’t even exist in three of the surveyed markets (Ottawa, Waterloo Region and Winnipeg), while incoming tenants in Calgary forked out $35 to $55 psf in the first half of this year.

“Record-setting migration into Alberta of over 202,000 people last year has continued the demand from retailers and service providers for suburban centres in the city, but there is a scarcity of options for them and, as such, rents have continued to increase,” says Alistair Corbett, a CBRE senior vice president in Calgary.

While power centre rents held steady in Calgary during the first half, at $27 to $55 psf, they are on par with or higher than most of the markets that experienced an uptick. Meanwhile, Calgary was among the five markets where convenience/strip plaza rents increased, continuing the upward trajectory of 2023.

Demand for grocery store space is a factor in all markets, although areas experiencing residential intensification are deemed to be the best bet for expanding retailers. Major grocers’ discount brands, including No Frills, FreshCo and Food Basics and ethnic food specialists are currently active. Analysts also speculate that grocery retailers will be the drivers of most new development that may occur in the near term.

“The competition for real estate and market share is ultimately driving up rents on larger boxes with no grocery restrictions,” says CBRE vice president, Matthew Jackson. “As population growth has moved to secondary and tertiary markets, brands have been forced to look at new build opportunities (despite construction costs) in order to remain competitive.”

VRCA announces 2024 Silver Award winners

The Vancouver Regional Construction Association (VRCA) has announced the 2024 Silver Awards of Excellence Awards winners.

This year, 50 Silver Award winners were chosen across 17 diverse project categories, highlighting the best of industrial, commercial, institutional, multi-family residential, and special projects. There was a total of 91 outstanding submissions representing 61 projects with total construction value exceeding $2.9 billion.

ETRO Construction was a big winner this year, earning four Silver Awards in various categories. A new category this year is recognition of civil/industrial construction projects.

“We are incredibly proud of the exceptional work that VRCA members continue to deliver year after year,” said VRCA president Jeannine Martin. “This year’s submissions set a new benchmark for excellence in the construction industry, and we are thrilled to recognize and celebrate these achievements as we mark the 35th anniversary of the Awards of Excellence.”

The general contractor category winners are:

General Contractors – Over $100 Million
EllisDon Corporation and Kinetic Construction (Joint Venture)
The University of Victoria Student Housing and Dining Project

ITC Construction Group
The City of Lougheed – Neighbourhood One

PCL Constructors Westcoast Inc.
Vancouver Post Office Redevelopment

General Contractors – Over $20 to $100 Million
ETRO Construction., Berkeley Tower Renovation
ETRO Construction., 411 Railway Commercial Build
Kindred Construction, 50 Electronic Avenue, Phase 2

General Contractors – Up to $20 Million
ETRO Construction, 402 West Pender Exterior Revitalization
Edge Vancouver Construction Group, The Peak
Kindred Construction, Estítkw Place

General Contractors, Tenant Improvement – Up to $5 Million
Canadian Turner Construction Company, Plenty of Fish
PCL Constructors Westcoast, YVR Pier D World Duty Free
Mercury Contracting, Elio Volpe

General Contractors, Tenant Improvement – Over $5 Million
Canadian Turner Construction Company, YVR26 The Post: Premises A1
Century Group Inc. (dba CGI Constructors), West Fraser Mills Ltd. – Office Relocation
ETRO Construction, Aritzia 411 Railway Head Office

General Contractors – Civil/Industrial Construction – Over $25 Million
Jacob Bros. Construction, YVR South Airfield Pavement Rehabilitation Project
Kiewit Infrastructure BC ULC,
BC Highway Reinstatement Program: Highway 5 – Category B Project
RAM Engineering, Vancouver Airport Fuel Delivery Project

General Contractors – Civil/Industrial Construction – Up to $25 Million
Graham Construction and Engineering, Waterfront Station Power Upgrade
Graham Infrastructure LP, Woodfibre LNG Pre-Construction Works
Smith Bros. & Wilson (B.C.), Dicklands Biogas Plant

All Silver Award winners will be recognized at the Awards of Excellence Gala October 24th at the Vancouver Convention Centre West. Gold Award winners in their respective category will be selected from Silver Award winners and will be announced at the Gala.

Read the full list of Silver winners here.

New short-term rental regulations coming to Nova Scotia

Taking effect on September 30th, Nova Scotia’s new short-term rental regulations are intended to help make more long-term housing available to residents across the province. Regulations under the new Short-term Rentals Registration Act will include additional registration requirements, host categories, rates and penalties.

“Nova Scotians need housing. We know that many houses and apartments that could potentially be long-term homes are being rented short term,” said John Lohr, Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing. “We’re working to get more homes built. In the meantime, these changes will help address the urgent need for housing now.”

Under the new registration requirements, all tourist accommodations and short-term rentals will be required to provide supporting documentation, such as proof of compliance with municipal bylaws and, where applicable, written consent from the property owner(s) or condo board, and proof of primary residence. In addition, annual registration rates will range from $50 to $2,000 per unit depending on the accommodation type and location; higher rates apply to short-term rentals in areas where the need for housing is greater.

Unregistered or non-compliant short-term rental operators may be subject to fines of up to $100,000. Annual registration rates for traditional tourist accommodations, such as motels, hotels and inns, are not changing.

More detail on Nova Scotia’s new short-term rental regulations can be found at: https://nslegislature.ca/legislative-business/bills-statutes/consolidated-public-statutes

Canada’s share of global CRE value nudges up

The global value of professionally managed real estate dipped in 2023, while Canada’s share of the total market nudged up modestly. MSCI’s newly released annual calculations peg the global investment property market at USD $13.2 trillion as of last Dec. 31, with approximately USD $423 billion worth of those holdings in Canada.

Last year global value fell 0.9 per cent relative to 2022, largely attributable to a 6.4 per cent or USD $410 billion slide in the United States, whereas Canada posted a USD $19 billion uptick and a 17 basis point (bps) gain in its weighting in the total market. Canada continues to rank 9th among the 37 nations MSCI monitors, but now represents 3.2 per cent of global market size, up from 3 per cent in 2022.

MSCI analysts highlight the moderating steepness of the decline in market size in 2023, following a 4.2 per cent year-over-year drop in 2022. However, the drop-off in investment transaction volume was more dramatic, with the 2023 tally plunging by 48 per cent from 2022. Accordingly, the global turnover ratio, which represents transaction volume as a percentage of total market value, averaged 4 per cent in 2023 versus 8.7 per cent in 2022.

In his introduction to the 2023 details, MSCI co-head of private capital, René Veerman, reiterates the now familiar reasons for sluggish activity as vendors and would-be purchasers fail to find common ground. “Moves in the pricing of commercial real estate have come through at a glacial pace in comparison to other asset classes. Publicly traded real estate vehicles, for instance, repriced quickly in 2022 in response to the interest rate shocks,” he observes.

It appears deal-makers were somewhat more amenable in Canada, which registered the sixth highest turnover ratio at 6.1 per cent. That was topped by South Korea (7.3 per cent), Taiwan (7.2 per cent), Spain (6.8 per cent), the U.S. (6.2 per cent) and Portugal (6.2 per cent), as 20 countries surpassed the global turnover average.

The U.S. remains the largest player by a wide margin, but dropped from 40.3 per cent to 37.5 per cent of global value last year. As well, Belgium, Taiwan, Malaysia, Austria, Japan, Germany and Norway all experienced a smaller degree of shrinkage in 2023.

The five largest markets — also including China, the United Kingdom, Japan and Germany — represent about 65 per cent of total global value. Canada is part of the next quintile — along with France, Australia, Hong Kong and Switzerland — which collectively makes up another 18 per cent of the market size.

Olson Kundig-designed condo launches in Cambie Village

A new, seven-storey, 53-home condo development in Vancouver’s Cambie Village launched today. W16 takes inspiration from the single-family homes created by architectural firm Olson Kundig.

The building reflects many trademark design elements of the Seattle-based firm, such as ten-foot ceilings, vertical panelling and darker finishes, as well as new features inspired by its Vancouver location.

“Homebuyers shouldn’t have to give up urban living in order to experience Olson Kundig’s world-class architectural design,” said Dean Johnson, vice president of development at Wesgroup Properties. “W16 gives buyers the opportunity to live in an Olson Kundig-designed home in the heart of Vancouver.”

Located at 480 West 16th Avenue, W16 features a mix of one-, two- and three-bedroom homes ranging in size from 537 to 1,665 square feet. Building amenities include an expansive rooftop deck with outdoor kitchen, putting green and panoramic views of downtown Vancouver.

Rooftop amenities at W16.

Dynamic shifting – used by Olson Kundig for the first time on this project – staggers the positioning of each floorplate, which, when combined with insets along the sides of the building, creates corner windows for most units that improve airflow and covered balconies that are protected from Vancouver’s notoriously wet weather. Expansive windows maximize daylight even on gloomy days and are balanced with thoughtfully placed privacy walls.

“W16 demonstrates Olson Kundig’s design ethos of form following performance,” said Tom Kundig, Principal at Olson Kundig. “The building’s expression is a natural outcome of designing to enhance the residential experience, with each movement maximizing the potential for capturing daylight and framing views.”

Wesgroup partnered with Vancouver-based interior designer Inform Projects to source Stosa cabinetry from Italy that has been specially designed to be smudge- and fingerprint-resistant. Vancouver-based Matthew McCormick also created versions of his famed Line Light for each home and certain amenity spaces.

Wesgroup unveils W16 condo by Olson Kundig

Wesgroup Properties has unveiled a new, seven-storey, 53-home condo development in Vancouver’s Cambie Village designed by internationally recognized architectural firm Olson Kundig.

The condo called W16 takes Olson Kundig’s iconic single-family home designs and adapts them for city living.

“With W16, we wanted to bring Olson Kundig’s innovative, award-winning home designs into the city,” says Dean Johnson, vice president of development at Wesgroup Properties. “Homebuyers shouldn’t have to give up urban living in order to experience Olson Kundig’s world-class architectural design. W16 gives buyers the opportunity to live in an Olson Kundig-designed home in the heart of Vancouver.”

Seattle-based Olson Kundig was founded on the idea that inspiring surroundings can have a positive effect on people’s lives and that buildings can be a bridge between nature, culture, histories and people. While originally known for its single-family homes, the firm has gone on to design civic buildings, museums, places of worship and even lead the renovation of the Seattle Space Needle.

“W16 demonstrates Olson Kundig’s design ethos of form following performance,” says Tom Kundig, principal at Olson Kundig. “The building’s expression is a natural outcome of designing to enhance the residential experience, with each movement maximizing the potential for capturing daylight and framing views.”

The design team also includes Vancouver-based Inform Projects and Matthew McCormick Studio.

Feedback deadline approaching for Condo Buyers’ Guide

The Condominium Authority of Ontario (CAO) is looking for sector feedback on its Condo Buyers’ Guide that it plans on updating later this year.

Individuals who are familiar with the guide and anyone interested in reviewing it to help buyers understand the purchasing process and prepare for condo living are asked to complete the Condo Buyers’ Guide Consultation Survey by August 16.

According to the CAO, the guide is a consumer protection resource that supports those who are in the market for a pre-construction or resale condo unit in Ontario. It empowers buyers with essential condo information so they can make an informed purchasing decision.

The feedback will help revise and enhance the guide’s content so it meets the evolving needs of today’s condo communities.

GTA sees uptick in homes sales for July

Home sales in the Greater Toronto Area in July were up year-over-year. According to the Toronto Regional Real Estate Board (TRREB) there was more choice for buyers, with annual growth in new listings outstripping that of sales.

“We may be starting to see a positive impact from the two Bank of Canada rate cuts announced in June and July,” suggested TRREB President Jennifer Pearce. “Additionally, the cost of borrowing is anticipated to decline further in the coming months. Expect sales to accelerate as buyers benefit from lower monthly mortgage payments.”

Realtors reported 5,391 home sales last month—a 3.3 per cent increase compared to 5,220 sales reported in July 2023. New listings amounted to 16,296 – up by 18.5 per cent year-over-year. On a seasonally adjusted basis, July sales and new listings edged lower compared to June.

The average selling price of $1,106,617 was down by 0.9 per cent from last July when it was $1,116,950.

“As more buyers take advantage of more affordable mortgage payments in the months ahead, they will benefit from the substantial build-up in inventory,” said TRREB Chief Market Analyst Jason Mercer. “This will initially keep home prices relatively flat. However, as inventory is absorbed, market conditions will tighten in the absence of a large-scale increase in home completions, ultimately leading to a resumption of price growth.”

New partnerships support diversity in construction

Procore announced strategic partnerships with the Afro Canadian Contractors Association (ACCA) and the Canadian Association of Women in Construction (CAWIC) to support diversity, inclusion, and innovation within the construction industry.

Through the partnerships, Procore will provide training, technology solutions, and support to minority contractors, diverse-owned firms, and women in construction across Canada.

“We are excited to partner with ACCA and CAWIC to empower minority contractors and diverse firms in Canada with the technical tools and skills they need to thrive in the construction industry,” said Dr. Irish Horsey, Procore’s director of industry advancement. “By providing access to Procore’s innovative construction management solutions and training resources, we aim to break down barriers and foster a more inclusive ecosystem.”

Procore will offer comprehensive training programs, access to our industry-leading construction management platform, and discounted buying programs to eligible members. These initiatives aim to equip contractors and construction professionals with the skills and resources they need to succeed in today’s competitive landscape.

“This collaboration is a testament to our shared commitment to fostering diversity and inclusion within the construction industry. By providing minority contractors with cutting-edge technology and comprehensive training, we are equipping them with the tools they need to thrive in a competitive market. Together, we are paving the way for a more equitable and innovative future in construction,” said Stephen Callender, ACCA president.

In addition to providing access to technology and training, Procore, ACCA, and CAWIC will collaborate on thought leadership initiatives, including webinars, articles, and industry insights. These efforts will provide valuable insights and best practices to support the growth and drive innovation and excellence within the Canadian construction industry.

“Together, we can break down barriers and foster a more inclusive and innovative construction industry,” said Lisa Laronde, CAWIC president.

Rent growth slows to lowest rate in two years

Average asking rents for all residential property types in Canada increased by 5.9 per cent year-over-year in July, reaching an average of $2,201 per month. This, according to Rentals.ca, represents the slowest annual rate of rent growth in over 31 months.

“As we move past the peak of summer, we’ve seen very little of the uplift typically expected with the warmer months,” said senior analyst, David Aizikov. “However, as the weather cools and days become shorter, rental demand typically slows, which may further slow market rent growth.”

Rents for purpose-built and condominium rental apartments increased by 0.5 per cent in July, averaging $2,156. Year-over-year, apartment rents grew by 7.4 per cent, driven by an 8.9 per cent rise in purpose-built rental rates, which now average $2,131. In contrast, condominium apartment rents saw a smaller increase of 1.9 per cent, averaging $2,334. Studio rents for condominiums declined by 2.8 per cent annually to $1,887, while purpose-built studio rents surged by 13.7 per cent to $1,610.

Toronto rents showed a slight monthly increase of 0.2 per cent but remained down 4.6 per cent annually, averaging $2,719. Vancouver saw a 1.9 per cent monthly increase but a 7.2 per cent annual decrease, bringing the average rent to $3,101.

Edmonton experienced the highest rent growth among major cities, with a 14.3 per cent annual increase to $1,579, while Calgary’s rents grew by 3.7 per cenr to $2,111.

Montreal’s rents declined for the third consecutive month by 0.5 per cent to $2,003 but were up 0.8 per cent annually. Ottawa showed the second highest annual pace of rent growth this month at 4.1 per cent, reaching an average rent of $2,218.

Saskatchewan continues to lead as the fastest-growing province annually, with rents for purpose-built and condominium apartments increasing by 22.2 per cent year-over-year to $1,331, despite a monthly decline of $8. Meanwhile, British Columbia and Ontario were the only provinces with overall annual rent declines, with BC down 2 per cent to an average of $2,570, and Ontario down 1.5 per cent to an average of $2,396.

Shared accommodation listings recorded a 9.1 per cent annual increase in asking rent across four provinces, reaching an average of $1,005 in July, the highest average rent of the past five months. Roommate rents in Toronto declined 0.3 per cent monthly and 4.9 per cent annually to $1,232, while Ottawa saw a 0.3 per cent monthly increase but a 1.2 per cent annual decline to $941. Calgary led the growth in roommate rents with an 8.9 per cent annual increase to $923, while Vancouver remained the most expensive city for shared accommodations at $1,476, up 1.4 per cent annually.

Visit www.rentals.ca for the full report.

ASHRAE and World Filtration Institute Sign MOU

ASHRAE and the World Filtration Institute (WFI) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding formalizing the organizations’ relationship.

The agreement outlines how both organizations will work cooperatively on common public affairs initiatives and leverage the strengths of both organizations to address critical challenges in the industry, while promoting innovative solutions that benefit the global community.

New opportunities for collaboration include advocacy, conferences and meetings, research, publications, education and technical activities coordination.

“This agreement signifies our mutual commitment to advancing sustainability, fostering innovation and establishing global standards,” said 2024-25 ASHRAE President M. Dennis Knight. “Together, ASHRAE and WFI will work to enhance the built environment by championing energy efficiency, decarbonization, resilience, and improved indoor air quality.”

Dr. Christine Sun, WFI president, said the agreement marks a significant milestone.

“This partnership underscores our shared commitment to tackling global challenges through innovative filtration solutions and sustainable practices,” she said. “By combining our expertise and resources, we are honored to work together with ASHRAE to drive advancements in energy efficiency, decarbonization, resilience, and indoor air quality towards a cleaner, healthier, and more sustainable world for all and future generations.”

Steveston Park playground set for upgrades

The Steveston Community Park playground is set to undergo an exciting transformation with construction starting this August.

Centrally located just northeast of the intersection of No. 1 Road and Moncton Street, the 30 acre park will soon feature a refreshed destination playground inspired by Steveston Village’s rich history.

It is time to replace the current playground equipment and surfacing, which are nearing the end of their life, with updated options to support Richmond’s ongoing commitment to create leading-edge parks and play environments.

The overarching goal of renewing the playground is to ensure it remains a fun, well-visited, inclusive, and safe environment for everyone. The new design will feature accessible and welcoming equipment and surfacing, offering play opportunities for a wider range of ages and abilities.

The refreshed playground will draw inspiration from both the historical and contemporary aspects of Steveston Village. New features to look forward to include custom salmon- and fishing boat-inspired climbers with interactive panels, a lighthouse tower with two big slides, a large sand play area with a water table and diggers, a new train, and a double zipline.

Additionally, there will be multiple spring toys, spinners, and swings that are not only fun but also offer physical literacy through the development of balance, agility, and strength.

The new playground will be located on the same footprint as the existing one, and for everyone’s safety, the playground will be closed to the public during construction. The water park and surrounding park areas will remain open.

Construction is expected to be completed by summer 2025.

Construction starts on Lynn Valley Elementary

Construction is starting on an expansion to Lynn Valley Elementary school in North Vancouver.

“As more communities like North Vancouver experience population growth, our government is continuing to invest in building and expanding schools,” said Rachna Singh, minister of education and child care. “I am proud that Lynn Valley Elementary will soon have space for more students and additional modern learning environments that will benefit this community for years to come.”

The province is providing more than $9 million for the project, which will add six classrooms and allow the district to eliminate four portable classrooms in use at the school. The new classrooms are expected to be ready for students by spring 2026.

“I’m thrilled we are breaking ground on the expansion at Lynn Valley Elementary, which will provide more modern and safe learning environments for students and staff,” said Susie Chant, MLA for North Vancouver-Seymour. “Lynn Valley is continuing to grow because it’s a fantastic place to live and our government is committed to ensuring families have the services they need.”

This project is part of the government’s $172 million in investments over the past seven years for new, expanded and upgraded schools in North Vancouver. This includes new funding for a 585-seat Cloverley Elementary school, funding for a prefabricated addition at Westview Elementary school, the recently completed seismic upgrades at Mountainside Secondary, and the seismic replacement and expansion at Handsworth Secondary.

“Adding capacity to accommodate our growing student population continues to be a top priority for our school district,” said Linda Munro, chair, North Vancouver board of education. “The board is pleased the ministry continues to recognize the importance of providing students and staff with modern, healthy and safe teaching and learning environments that encourage a real sense of belonging and community.”

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