Burnaby Hospital project marks milestone

The Burnaby Hospital redevelopment project has reached an important construction milestone with the structural building and concrete pouring completed.

Completion of the structural work means the focus will shift to finishing the building’s exterior and interior.

Phase 1 of the Burnaby Hospital redevelopment includes the construction of the new pavilion and the expansion and renovations of the existing Support Facilities Building. The pavilion will include maternity, neonatal intensive care, mental health in-patient and medical in-patient units. The estimated completion date for the new pavilion is 2025.

The expansion and renovations of the Support Facilities Building, which includes the Jim Pattison Surgery Centre and the Burnaby Community Emergency Department, will feature 10 new or upgraded state-of-the-art operating rooms, renovations to the emergency department and a new energy facility.

This announcement builds on the recently approved Phase 2 of the Burnaby Hospital redevelopment, which will add a new 160-bed inpatient tower and integrated cancer centre, which will include 54 ambulatory care rooms, 31 chemotherapy chairs, space for five linear accelerators, space for 2 PET/CT scanners, an oncology pharmacy, and clinical trials and research space.

The redevelopment project will result in 399 beds across the campus.

“I am pleased to celebrate this significant project milestone at Burnaby Hospital, which has been the heart of health care in this community for over 70 years,” said Dr. Victoria Lee, president and CEO, Fraser Health. “This redevelopment will add capacity to our hospital and bring in state-of-the-art equipment, enabling our staff and medical staff to provide high-quality care to our patients for many years to come. Thank you to our staff and medical staff who are epitomizing agility and innovation as they move this work forward.”

The total cost of the redevelopment is more than $2.4 billion with funding from the province, Burnaby Hospital Foundation and BC Cancer Foundation.

Effective customer review management strategies to boost your business

Customer reviews are crucial and should not be underestimated in their power to boost your cleaning business and help get your name out there. In today’s digital age, potential customers rely heavily on the opinions and experiences shared by others to make informed decisions about products or services. In fact, 92 per cent of customers read online reviews and testimonials and 72 per cent say that a positive review increases their trust in a business.

Positive customer reviews act as powerful endorsements, building trust and credibility for your company. When potential customers see positive experiences with your company, they’re more likely to choose you over competitors.

Let’s face it: customer reviews can make or break your business and provide valuable feedback to improve and enhance your cleaning or maintenance services. They offer insights into what is working and what needs attention, allowing you to make necessary adjustments to better meet customer expectations. Understanding the value and process for addressing reviews is vital to the success of your business, whether they are negative or positive:

Negative reviews – Responding to negative feedback promptly and professionally demonstrates your commitment to customer experience. Search engines also consider the quantity and quality of customer reviews when determining search rankings.
Positive reviews – Positive reviews can significantly impact your online visibility, helping you build your brand and attract more customers organically.

The main takeaway is that implementing effective customer review strategies is vital for driving your organization’s success.

Strategies to track and monitor customer reviews

It’s tricky to respond to online reviews if you don’t know how to find them. Tracking and monitoring customer reviews is crucial to effective customer review management. Unlock your business growth potential with these key strategies:

Utilize online review platforms: Identify and utilize popular business-to-business online review platforms such as Google Reviews or Yelp. Regularly monitor these platforms for new reviews and promptly respond to positive and negative feedback.
Set up alerts: Launch alerts or notifications for your business name or relevant keywords related to your industry. This will help you stay informed about new reviews across various platforms and enable you to address them on time. These alerts can also help you stay on top of your competition’s reviews, helping to see what customers are looking for in your industry.
Monitor social media channels: Monitor social media channels where customers might leave feedback or reviews about your products or services. Responding timely and professionally to customer feedback on social media can significantly enhance your brand reputation.
Implement customer satisfaction surveys: Conduct regular customer satisfaction surveys to gather valuable feedback directly. This will provide insights into specific customer experiences with your business, helping you identify areas for improvement, and provide better service.

Leveraging positive customer feedback to drive business growth

Positive customer feedback is a powerful tool that can significantly impact the growth and success of a cleaning or facilities maintenance business. Effectively leveraging this feedback can enhance your brand reputation, build customer loyalty, and attract new customers.

One key strategy to leverage positive customer feedback is to use testimonials and case studies. Sharing success stories and real-life experiences from satisfied customers serves as social proof and showcases the value and benefits of your products or services.

Testimonials can be featured on websites, social media platforms, or in marketing materials. Another effective way to leverage positive feedback is by encouraging customers to leave reviews on popular review sites or through online surveys. By actively monitoring these platforms and responding promptly to a customer review, businesses can demonstrate their commitment to excellent customer service.

Furthermore, businesses should use positive feedback internally by sharing it with employees as a form of recognition and motivation. This fosters a culture focused on delivering exceptional customer experiences.

Remember, effective management of customer reviews requires proactive monitoring, timely response, and constructive engagement. By implementing these techniques, businesses can enhance their reputation, build customer trust, and boost their overall success.

Gwen Becknell is the Master Franchise Owner for Anago of Boise, part of the Anago Cleaning Systems brand supporting over 1800 franchises across the U.S. and Canada. For more information about Anago of Boise, visit www.anagocleaning.com/boise.

B.C. cities honoured for economic excellence

The City of Surrey, City of Richmond and Township of Langley have received a 2023 Excellence in Economic Development Gold Award from the International Economic Development Council (IEDC).

The award was for their joint work in the Resiliency, Recovery & Mitigation category that impacted an overall population greater than 500,000 residents. The municipalities were acknowledged and honoured at the recent IEDC 2023 Annual Conference.

The award recognized the Supply Chain Resiliency Program that identified existing industrial capabilities that could be retooled to support future emergency production needs, and helped manufacturers diversify their businesses by focusing on emerging opportunities in new sectors.

“I commend our award-winning Economic Development team for its success with the Supply Chain Resiliency Program,” said Surrey Mayor Brenda Locke. “This is the second award this program has received, and it is a testament to the great work being done by our team. Strong economic development work helps propel City’s to new heights, and there’s no question that is the case for Surrey. Congratulations to all involved in the program on receiving this honour.”

The Supply Chain Resiliency Program was a joint initiative of the three municipalities and involved three key deliverables – an industrial capabilities inventory; a toolkit for de-risking emerging market opportunities; and a seminar series educating manufacturers to adopt technology. Over 380 manufacturers participated in the program, and more than 200 manufacturing businesses took part in in Technology Adoption Workshops.

Every year IEDC looks specifically for economic development organizations, government entities, initiatives, and programs that have demonstrated consistent, exemplary performance in the economic development profession, leading the execution of projects that have a significant impact on revitalizing communities, and playing a major role in shaping and improving the practice of economic development.

Outdoor lighting principles hail the dark side

Emerging principles for outdoor lighting could help the stars regain lustre in the night sky. The Illuminating Engineering Society (IES), a leading developer of lighting standards, is collaborating with the research and advocacy organization, DarkSky International, in an effort to curb light pollution and promote installations that could also deliver energy savings and improve neighbourly relations.

“Human beings have evolved under a day-night cycle where darkness is just as important as light,” Brian Liebel, chief program officer with DarkSky International, observed during a recent IES-sponsored webinar. “We need to be conscious about how light affects people, flora and fauna and the view of the night sky, and we need to be responsible for what we are doing when introducing lighting that is not natural to the environment at night.”

Light cast in a upward direction is considered to be light pollution, while light that goes beyond the boundaries of the area it is intended to illuminate is defined as light trespass. Paul Mercier, principal of the firm, Lighting Design Innovations, and an international past president of IES, noted that untrained viewers of these effects are often mistaken about the cause.

“Visibility of light source is not glare. The biggest source of light pollution is reflected light,” he said.

It’s estimated that 83 per cent of the global population lives under a light-polluted sky and an even larger quotient of North Americans and Europeans cannot easily see the stars. Nighttime lighting can disrupt human and animal sleep patterns, divert navigation of birds and fish, and affect the flowering of plants with associated consequences for pollinators. It often trespasses across property boundaries, causing annoyance to those who do not need it, and is a significant electricity consumer, contributing to indirect greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in jurisdictions with fossil fuel powered grids.

Guiding principles expected to be integrated into lighting standards

IES and DarkSky International joined forces on the project in 2019 and have since developed five guiding principles for responsible outdoor lighting, which both organizations have adopted. Liebel, who participated in that process in his previous role as director of standards for IES, expects the principles will be integrated into IES standards and that maximum caps on outdoor illumination, which are currently absent from standards, could be added.

The five principles define how light should be applied, but, first, prospective installers should consider whether nighttime lighting is even necessary. The underpinning philosophy calls on designers, property owners, business operators and regulators to restrict lighting to: areas where it is needed; during the time it is needed; and in the amount that is needed. The guidance is meant to help users identify those parameters and then sensitively implement required lighting.

“Basically, responsible outdoor lighting is useful, targeted, low-level, controlled and warm coloured,” Liebel advised. “To begin, if a light doesn’t have a use then there’s no point having it there. Be conscious about that; think about that.”

If needed, light should be scoped as much as possible to the tasks that require it; it should be triggered with sensors or moderated with dimmers where possible; and it should not exceed the level that IES standards recommend. Warm colours in the red, orange and yellow wave lengths are a lesser factor in light pollution than blue, which is to be avoided unless it is required for a specific purpose or circumstance.

“Shorter wave lengths of blue are the ones that scatter in the sky and cause more sky glow. They are also the wavelengths that are principally involved with circadian entrainment,” Liebel said. However, he characterized the principles as a package of tactics that can be applied in various combinations to suit site-specific needs.

“If we target light, keep it at the lower level and control it, we’re 90 per cent to where we need to be so spectrum may not have as much of an effect,” he added. “In cases where we can’t do one of these things, spectrum may have more of an impact.”

Curbing light pollution and saving energy are mutually supportive objectives

Bringing a designer’s perspective to the discussion, Mercier talked about navigating lighting ordinances and other planning controls, and the role lighting professionals can play in helping both property owners and local officials work through the technical nuances. He also pointed to some key concepts and instrumental products in responsible nighttime lighting.

Local ordinances are generally tied to at least one of three objectives — reducing energy use; mitigating light pollution; or establishing a design aesthetic — which can be mutually supportive. Mercier suggested that’s particularly the case with the first two goals, but also cautioned that drafters and interpreters of ordinances aren’t necessarily well versed in lighting theory or aware that some stipulations could actually be undermining the outcomes they’re seeking. Criteria for pole heights can be one such example.

“If you control wasted energy, you’re going to do a pretty good job of reducing the amount of light pollution and light trespass in the environment,” Mercier maintained. “Pole heights, in general, are a little suspect whether they help or hurt light trespass. At 20 feet (tall) you’re going to get less reflected light going into the sky because almost all light fixtures that are manufactured these days throw light downwards.”

Similarly, he cited an example of a local prohibition on laser lighting, counterproductively hindering opportunities to take advantage of recent product advancements. “Laser lighting is available as an architectural-style product that has the narrowest beam possible, the best control beam and it shoots light at long distance at a very low wattage. It is the best product for dark sky because it only hits what we’re trying to light,” Mercier reported.

Proponents of the principles for responsible outdoor lighting foresee that they could help fill in the knowledge gap around light pollution and trespass. DarkSky International is already recognized for its certification program for commercial lighting, and it is now promoting the principles through a wide network of connections.

“In the policies that we’re working on and will be advocating, we’re working towards developing concise language with obtainable outcomes and practical implementation so that it will be easier for cities to adopt ordinances or governments to adopt legislation that can have proven results without over-complicating things,” Liebel affirmed.

Keeping your employees safe through the winter

As the days get shorter and the temperatures drop, performing outdoor maintenance tasks can become more dangerous for your team. From hanging and removing holiday lights to spending long hours outside in the cold, there are many risks that maintenance workers face through the winter.

Create practices and protocols, train your team, and keep the following tips in mind to prevent injury and keep your staff safe this season:

Train staff members on all winter protocols so they know how to protect themselves and stay safe. This includes any seasonal staff you employ, making sure to give a refresher to existing staff as you train new hires.
The cold temperatures mean that workers need to dress appropriately with layers, taking breaks to warm up and hydrate throughout the day. Covering extremities with hats, gloves, and warm footwear will help protect workers from frostbite.
Train your teams to recognize symptoms of frostnip, frostbite, and hypothermia so that they can stay vigilant in helping to keep everyone safe. Setting up a buddy system with scheduled indoor breaks is a good way to have employees check on each other and look for any signs of concern.
Ladders may get slippery when cold, so ensure that if they need to be used, employees are wearing spiked footwear and that there is adequate grip. Avoid setting ladders up on snow or uneven ground and do not climb in heavy winds.
Getting dark earlier means that visibility can become an issue late in the day. Ensure delivery drivers stay visible with reflective clothing, start lengthy projects in the daylight, and set up adequate lighting that can help protect your team from slip, trip, and fall accidents.
Keep an eye on the weather, allowing flexibility when planning work to be completed. Choose optimal conditions when temperatures are higher to complete large-scale outdoor projects.
When shoveling paths and walkways, pile snow out of the way, where it is not a tripping hazard and will not cause a safety issue if it melts during the freeze-thaw cycle.

Maintenance can become more difficult in the winter but take steps to keep your team safe and on the job when the weather turns colder.

Housing affordability now “top priority” for Ontarians

New polling from the Ontario Real Estate Association (OREA) confirms that the majority of Ontarians are concerned about housing affordability and the high cost of living. According to a new poll, over half (51%) of respondents ranked housing affordability as their top priority for government focus. This represents a 16 per cent increase since June 2021, indicating Ontarians are becoming increasingly concerned about housing affordability despite recent government action.

Conducted by Abacus Data on behalf of OREA, the Housing Affordability in Ontario: Perceptions, Impacts, And Solutions (Wave 4) survey additionally found that Ontarians are struggling financially. While the majority of respondents (52%) said they are able to cover their expenses every month, but unable to save money, 17 per cent said they are unable to cover normal expenses such as rent without taking on debt or cutting back. For aspiring homeowners, this figure jumps to 29 per cent, which doesn’t bode well for their ability to save for their goal.

“For most of Canadian history, it was a given that every generation had a better shot at homeownership than the last,” said OREA CEO Tim Hudak. “Homeownership fostered vibrant and stable communities and was foundational to a great quality of life. But today, that dream is slipping from too many young families in Ontario as they are frozen out of the housing market due to a historic lack of housing supply driving up prices. These issues cannot be solved without governments taking bold action.”

While 80 per cent said they believe there are steps that could be taken to improve housing affordability, only 15 per cent said they approve of the job the Ontario government has done thus far. Meanwhile, 55 per cent said that they believe certain decisions by the provincial government has made it more difficult to buy a home. Top factors cited include: the availability/cost of land (47%); increased immigration to Canada; the cost of borrowing for builders, and foreign investors (42% each); and a shortage of skilled trade workers (34%).

“It’s clear that homeownership is top of mind for many Ontarians,” Hudak said. “Pro-growth, pro-housing solutions must continue to be championed if we want to get more shovels in the ground and bring more supply to market. This is the only way Ontario can meet the goal of building 1.5 million new homes in the next decade and improve affordability for our province’s would-be homeowners and families.”

According to OREA, the Ford Government has made some important progress toward this goal, including permitting secondary units as-of-right province-wide and introducing the Building Faster Fund to incentivize municipalities to hit or exceed their annual housing targets. However, the group says “more action can – and should – be taken to increase supply and improve housing affordability.”

Recommendations include:

helping mitigate availability/cost of land by ending exclusionary zoning (72% support or can accept);
helping lower the cost of borrowing for builders by providing provincial loan guarantees for affordable housing projects and purpose-built rentals (83% support or can accept);
addressing the shortage of skilled trade workers by increasing support and funding for colleges, trade schools, and apprenticeships (86% support or can accept).

Over 150 REALTORS met with their local MPP at Queen’s Park during OREA’s REALTOR Advocacy Day in November in support of the above recommendations, totalling 86 meetings across all parties.

Automating your maintenance management system

Smart technology has come a long way in enabling busy maintenance managers to streamline their information processes and simplify data access, automating everything from scheduling to ordering parts to maintenance management.

You may already have a computerized maintenance management system (CMMS), but if you are shopping for one or looking to upgrade, there are a few factors you need to consider before making your final choice.

Consider the scope

When deciding on a system, you need to know what makes the most sense for your business. Research the features that will help you achieve your goals, as well as define your end game to start to narrow down a fit. Be specific. For example, if, like 48 per cent of industrial organizations, you are looking to collect equipment-related data, ensure that you are looking at systems that are compatible with your equipment.

Plan long-term

Like most investments, taking a short-term approach can lead you to choose something that you will outgrow out of. Think about the future scope of your needs, and equipment you plan to invest in, and consider upgrades you might be looking for in the future. While these factors may shift, taking a broad, long-term approach will help you decide on a system that will grow with your business.

Long-term planning also includes your intent for the data you’re collecting. Create a plan to stay organized by sharing, storing, and understanding data effectively to make use of the data to better your business.

Keep moving forward

Regularly audit your system and your procedures to ensure they are still operating optimally for your business. Seeing a return on your investment means staying on top of its functionality and optimizing your use of the data you’re collecting.

Train staff to use the system and maximize the potential for improving maintenance operations. Conduct meetings with your team to brainstorm improvement, address system challenges, and use the technology to optimize your maintenance management.

Technology will do as it’s intended but it’s how you apply those tools that better your business. Choose a CMMS that addresses your needs, works for your business, and provides the data you need to grow together.

Alberta group focuses on cutting building emissions

The City of Calgary, City of Edmonton and Alberta Ecotrust have partnered to create the Emissions-Neutral Buildings Information Exchange (ENBIX).

ENBIX is a collaborative initiative that brings industry together to share knowledge, build capacity and support building and renovation practices across Alberta. The goal of this industry-led initiative is to accelerate the transition to an emissions-neutral built environment for new and existing buildings.

The City of Edmonton and The City of Calgary are the main funders of ENBIX, with a contribution of $1.7 million and $1.4 million respectively. Alberta Ecotrust is providing a $600,000 contribution from the organizations’ Climate Innovation Fund.

“We are creating momentum for action with ENBIX that will build over the next several years and beyond,” says Calgary Mayor Gondek. “Building capacity for emissions neutral construction across the whole development ecosystem – from construction to manufacturing, supply, training, operating and more is critical in getting us to net-zero buildings by 2050.”

Commercial and residential buildings are a major source of greenhouse gas emissions across Canada. In Calgary and Edmonton, the building stock accounts for 40 to 60 per cent of emissions. With Canada and the two largest municipalities in Alberta aiming for net-zero emissions by 2050, there is an urgent need to ensure that all new buildings are built to be emissions-neutral, and that existing buildings are retrofitted to the same standards.

“Our association is committed to advancing sustainable practices within the construction industry and embracing environmentally responsible approaches to development. We firmly believe that collaborative efforts, knowledge sharing, and skill enhancement are fundamental pillars for achieving long-term sustainability objectives, and we fully champion this approach” said Bill Black, president and COO, Calgary Construction Association.

Over the next four years ENBIX will be developing a variety of platforms to enable the local building industry to share knowledge and build capacity for low-carbon building and renovation practices across Alberta.

In early 2024, the Calgary Community of Practice will launch, providing a forum for Calgary-specific collaboration, while still learning from experiences across Alberta. With funding now committed to the program, ENBIX will continue to expand the ways in which it shares market research, industry experience and training, including webinars, site visits, communities of practice, technology demonstrations, training sessions and more.

Latinx real estate professionals to gather

Latinx real estate professionals can discuss career perspectives at an inaugural half-day forum sponsored by NAREIM, the U.S. National Association of Real Estate Investment Managers. The event, set for next May in New York City, follows the model of NAREIM’s roundtable for black real estate professionals.

A six-member advisory board from NAREIM member companies is providing input on the proceedings, which will include a professional development workshop and networking opportunities. Jason Hernandez, head of real estate debt in the Americas for one of the world’s largest investment managers, Nuveen Real Estate, has been confirmed as the keynote speaker.

“NAREIM will provide backstory on how this event came to be, what attendees can expect throughout the day and how to get involved in future Latinx programming,” the organizers promise.

Registration is complimentary, but organizers are capping attendance at 65 and no more than two professionals per NAREIM member company. Some registrations may also be open to non-members.

AB security deposits resume earning interest

After 16 years, residential rental security deposits will resume earning interest in Alberta in 2024. Landlords will be required to pay out 1.6 per cent interest on funds they hold as security deposits when renters mark a completed year of tenancy, unless the parties have agreed in writing to an alternative arrangement. This is the first time interest payments have been triggered since 2008 under the formula established in provincial regulations.

Those rules set a threshold for the interest rate on security deposits at 3 per cent below the rate for the Alberta Treasury Branch (ATB) Financial cashable one-year GIC as of November 1 of the previous year. In November 2023, that GIC rate was 4.6 per cent.

“Landlords have been required to pay interest on security deposits since 2004, but only when interest rates reach a certain level. This year, for the first time in a long time, they’ve reached that level,” observes Dale Nally, Alberta’s Minister of Service Alberta and Red Tape Reduction.

Tenants, including renters of mobile homes, can generally expect to receive the interest payment on the anniversary of submitting a security deposit. However, some landlords and tenants may have signed an agreement for the interest to be compounded annually and paid out at the end of the tenancy. Additionally, landlords who have contractually agreed to pay a higher level of interest must hold to it regardless of the regulated rate.

SIOR central Canada names top brokers for 2023

SIOR, the Society of Industrial and Office Realtors, central Canada chapter has named brokers of the year for 2023. The honours have been conveyed in four categories, for industrial, office, young professionals and industry leadership and contribution. This year’s winners include:

Kyle Hanna, vice chairman CBRE Canada, based in the Toronto West region, is industrial broker of the year;
Ron Jasinski, senior vice president with Colliers, based in Toronto, is office broker of the year;
Emily Everett, sales representative with CBRE’s urban retail team, based in Toronto, is young professional of the year; and
Lyndsay Hopps, principal and industrial/office sales representative with Avison Young, based in the Toronto West region, has received SIOR board recognition for industry leadership.

The SIOR central Canada chapter encompasses most of Ontario’s urban regions, with the exception of Ottawa and Cornwall, which are part of the Canada east chapter.

Canada rekindling war-time housing plan

Canada is creating a catalogue of pre-approved home designs that builders can use to boost density and help solve the housing crisis.

The concept has roots in the post-Second World War era when housing was scarce for returning veterans and their families. The Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation made a series of housing design catalogues from the 1950s to 1970s to expedite construction.

Consultations on the new catalogue will begin in January 2024. The initiative will start with low-rise designs and explore the potential for higher density construction, from mid-rise buildings to modular and prefabricated homes. The government will also help municipalities, provinces and territories to implement their own housing design catalogues.

Sean Fraser, Minister of Housing, Infrastructure and Communities, made the announcement yesterday.

“In order to build more homes faster, we need to change how we build homes in Canada. We are going to take the idea of a housing catalogue which we used the last time Canada faced a housing crisis, and bring it into the 21st century,” he said. “This is going to help accelerate future developments, and tap into new and innovative construction methods that will make a real difference in building communities across Canada.”

Sometimes the solutions we need can be found in our history books.

Canada’s “war-time” housing response created simple pre-approved designs that could be built quickly, to build homes we needed when our soldier came home.

It’s time to take that idea into the 21st century. pic.twitter.com/GlCtHLWEoa

— Sean Fraser (@SeanFraserMP) December 12, 2023

B.C. Transportation contractors celebrated

The B.C. Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure announced the winners of the 2023 Transportation Contractor of the Year Awards of Excellence.

The awards celebrate achievements in construction, road and bridge maintenance, safety and community service.

“These companies have gone above and beyond to provide excellent service to British Columbians, often during some challenging circumstances like extreme weather and wildfires,” said Rob Fleming, minister of transportation and infrastructure. “They have shown extraordinary commitment to innovation, diversity, community service and the environment.”

Bridges and Structures Award
Gitga’at Park Derochie Industrial Services Inc., Old Skeena Bridge Rehabilitation

Rehabilitation work on the Old Skeena Bridge near Terrace ensured the preservation of the 1925 bridge’s historical significance, a symbol of the region’s rich heritage and scenic beauty. Facing a significant increase in the project’s scope, the firm added a second shift and finished the work four months before schedule.

Paving Award
Dawson Construction Limited, Resurfacing Highway 97

Dawson resurfaced more than 54 km of Highway 97 at Hixon, south of Prince George. The company’s use of 15 per cent recycled-asphalt pavement created a smoother and sustainable road. The company switched gears and helped manage traffic during the fire season. The company completed the project well ahead of schedule and within budget.

Grading Award
Thompson Brothers Construction, Highway 29 – Lynx Creek Bridge Replacement and Highway Re-alignment

As a response to flooding from a reservoir, the project included a large highway-embankment fill, a 150-metre bridge and a 280-metre causeway crossing Lynx Creek. The company moved more than two million cubic metres of material, extended a stability berm, provided embankment-wave protection and adapted final grading while adjusting schedules to accommodate new work and delays due to wildfire evacuations.

Workplace Health and Safety Award
AIM Roads, SIPT System

The Safety Intelligent Protection Technology (SIPT) system protects road-maintenance crews by creating a virtual fence and AI-driven hazard alarms, in addition to traffic-control devices. SIPT’s alerts mean that workers now react more swiftly to potential hazards. AIM has had fewer incidents and worker injuries since it began using SIPT.

Road and Bridge Maintenance Award
Capilano Highway Services, Service Area 5 – Sunshine Coast

Capilano Highway Services is redefining industry standards to keep people and goods on the move on the Sunshine Coast, with innovations like safety and quality software programs, smartphone apps and improvements to winter maintenance. The company supports a range of community activities and is committed to diversity and inclusivity, including hiring First Nations subcontractors.

Community Service Award
Yellowhead Road & Bridge

For five years, the company has partnered with the non-profit Murray Ridge Ski Area, providing crucial road maintenance, snow removal and parking-lot care to ensure safe travel for students on ski days.

Rent growth moderates for third consecutive month

The annual rate of rent growth in Canada moderated for the third consecutive month, with the average asking rent for all property types coming in at $2,174 in November. This represents a slight 0.2 per cent decrease from October’s high, according to the latest data from Rentals.ca and Urbanation.

“Rent inflation in Canada is slowly starting to moderate, a trend being led by a notable slowdown in rents in the country’s most expensive big cities of Vancouver and Toronto,” said Shaun Hildebrand, president of Urbanation. “Renters are adjusting to record high housing costs by shifting into less expensive markets,”

Studio apartment rents accelerated to an annual growth rate of 12.1 per cent in November, while one-bedroom apartments maintained the strongest annual rent growth at 13.6 per cent, although at a slower pace compared to previous months. Meanwhile, two-bedroom apartments saw a slowdown in annual rent growth from 11.8 per cent in October to 11.2 per cent in November.

Regional variations were observed, with Alberta leading in annual growth with a year-over-year increase of 16.1 per cent to reach an average of $1,695. British Columbia, despite having the highest average apartment rents at $2,582, experienced a 2.2 per cent decrease and a notable slowdown in annual growth to 6.5 per cent in November.

Edmonton surpassed Calgary as the leader in rent growth among Canada’s largest markets, with asking rents for apartments rising by 11.9 per cent from a year ago.

Notably, Vancouver and Toronto, the nation’s most expensive cities, experienced a sharp slowdown in rent increases. Vancouver’s average asking rents increased by 0.7 per cent annually to $3,171, while Toronto’s average apartment rents decreased for the second straight month, down 2.4 per cent to $2,913.

Canada’s 25 most expensive small and medium-sized markets are concentrated in British Columbia, Ontario, and Quebec, with Greater Vancouver and Greater Toronto dominating the top rankings. Côte Saint-Luc in Quebec remained the fastest-growing market for apartment rents in October, with a remarkable 29.4 per cent annual increase.

Average asking rents for shared accommodations in British Columbia, Alberta, Ontario, and Quebec reached a record high of $960, growing by 16.2 per cent over the past year.

For the full National Rent Report, visit Rentals.ca

Out in the cold

Every year, over 40,000 working Canadians are injured due to slip and fall accidents, particularly during the winter months. Ice, accumulated snow, and moisture outside facilities increase the risk, but that isn’t the only cleaning and maintenance challenge the winter season brings. Tracked in dirt and debris ruins floor finishes and can even permanently damage flooring materials.

It’s never too early to start planning for the winter season, and taking these four steps will ensure you’re well-prepared:

Step 1: The Right Product

To combat ice build-up through the winter season, it’s important to select the right product, and that starts with understanding the differences between rock salt and ice melt to be able to make an informed choice.

Ice melt combines a brine solution and various chemicals which generate heat to melt ice faster and keep it from refreezing for longer periods of time. While rock salt will also melt ice, its effectiveness is slower, and limited to temperatures of -15 degrees Celsius or higher. In contrast, ice melt is effective to temperatures as low as -26 degrees Celsius, making it more feasible for those colder months. Here are a few tips on using your products:

Choose an ice melt with a bright colour to make it easier to see where it has been applied, identify areas that need more product, and avoid overuse.
Check that the product is not harsh for vegetation or damaging to the environment, particularly if your facility’s landscaping or lawns border walkways and entrances.
Look for a low effective temperature to ensure the product will work well in all conditions.

Step 2: The Right Application

Winter safety not only depends on the right ice melt product but without the correct application, effectiveness will be compromised:

Apply ice melt in advance of a winter storm to prevent ice build up before it starts. Take a proactive, rather than a reactive, approach.
Use the product consistently once snow has been cleared to maximize its effects. Don’t forget to sweep up excess ice melt to reduce environmental impact.
Combine ice melt with a traction product for additional safety and to extend the duration of the product’s effectiveness.

Step 3: The Right Protection

Snow, ice, moisture, and debris tracked into entryways soil floors, damage floor finishes and substrates, and create a slip and fall hazard. Fortunately, the right matting program can collect up to 24 pounds of dirt and debris, preventing it from being tracked into indoor spaces. There’s a cost savings, too. It costs approximately $500 to remove just one pound of dirt from a commercial facility, so implementing a proper matting system before winter comes can save you time, labour, and expense. To achieve the best results, lay a minimum of 12 to 20 feet of matting, even in low-traffic entranceways. The matting system should include three components:

Scraper mats: The first point of contact with your facility’s entryways should be a scraper mat placed outside the doors. Scraper mats are made of rubber and designed to remove and trap coarse debris, including ice melt. They should run at least five to six feet in length to maximize the dirt and debris collected from foot traffic and feature anti-slip surfacing to help avoid slip-and-fall accidents.
Wiper/scraper mats: The second set of mats commonly sits in a vestibule inside the facility. About five feet of wiper/scraper mats will capture leftover debris and trap most of the snow and moisture. Wiper/scraper mats can both wipe and scrape debris and are perfect for facilities that don’t have enough space for multiple sets of matting.
Wiper mats: These mats are often made with carpet or fibre surfaces. Most, if not all, of the major debris and moisture from boots and shoes, should be trapped by the last five feet of these absorbent mats, protecting the floors beyond them and throughout your building.

Step 3: The Right Tools

When it comes to maintaining the outside of a facility during the winter, ice melt alone is not enough. Ensuring the right tools are available and in good condition will improve your winter cleaning program and make it quicker and easier to clear entry and walkways.

Consider adding these three essentials to your winter maintenance program:

Snow shovels: Invest in high-quality snow shovels with sturdy blades and ergonomic handles to efficiently clean accumulated snow from sidewalks, entrances, and small parking areas.
Sidewalk scrapers: Designed specifically for icy surfaces, sidewalk scrapers are crucial to break up dense layers of ice and help prevent slips and falls. Remember: always clear ice away from your facility to avoid melting and refreezing.
Broadcast spreaders: Broadcast spreaders can be used to spread ice melt evenly and accurately. They help to prevent excessive application and reduce cost and waste, and they come in a variety of spread patterns and hopper capacities to suit the size of each area.

Investing in winter safety not only protects employees and visitors from slip and fall injuries but also preserves the floors and improves the cleanliness of your facility. Taking a proactive approach that includes ice melt, matting, and essential winter tools ensures an effective and reliable winter cleaning and maintenance program.

David L. Smith is the cleaning, hygiene & sanitation director at Bunzl Cleaning & Hygiene, Canada’s largest specialist distributor of cleaning and hygiene products and equipment. For more information or to book a comprehensive Facility Assessment please contact [email protected].

CRE gets peripheral standing on Manitoba council

Commercial real estate is relegated to peripheral standing on the newly struck 36-member Premier’s Business and Jobs Council, tasked with developing an economic strategy for Manitoba. Three of the appointees — representing Canada Life, True North Sports & Entertainment and Winnipeg’s Fort Garry Hotel — hold large real estate assets as part of their business ventures, but no companies or industry associations primarily focused on real estate development and management are included.

Ash Modha, chief executive officer of the Winnipeg-based sportswear manufacturer, Mondetta Clothing, and Kevin Rebeck, president of the Manitoba Federation of Labour, have been named co-chairs of the advisory group, which has a mandate to share expertise, develop “creative solutions” to economic challenges and advise the provincial government on job creation, trade partnerships and business opportunities tied to low-carbon technologies, products and practices.

“The members of this council bring with them a range of experiences from different regions and sectors of our province,” says Manitoba Premier Wab Kinew. “Together we will ensure Manitoba is a leader on not only the national, but global economic stage.”

Council membership includes representatives from business, labour, Indigenous, community and cultural organizations and local government, along with business leaders from various industry sectors. That includes groups that should bring some insight on commercial real estate’s economic contribution, such as Manitoba Building Trades, the Business Council of Manitoba, Economic Development Winnipeg and four chapters of the Chamber of Commerce.

What’s next for condominium insurance?

In recent years, we navigated a challenging insurance environment known as a “hard market”. This term describes a period when multiple factors make it more challenging to secure and maintain suitable insurance coverage. In essence, the insurance companies were paying out more in claims than they were collecting in premiums.

To counter this situation, insurers adopted a more cautious underwriting process, resulting in increased rates and additional or more stringent requirements on condominium corporations during the renewal process, and fewer insurance companies participating in the condominium space altogether. In practical terms, a hard market often translated to increased premiums, stricter underwriting criteria, and a diminished selection of insurance choices.

Due to the hard market, many condominium corporations faced substantial premium increases that exceeded their budgeted insurance expense, along with higher deductibles that necessitate covering more losses from their own pockets.

The significance of the broker-board relationship was emphasized during the hard market, as brokers played a pivotal role in providing advance notice of premium increases for budgeting purposes, educating the board and manager about rising premiums, offering strategic claims service, and advising on proactive risk management.

Present realities: a mixed bag of progress and challenges

We are currently witnessing some improvements in pricing. The insurance market overall has begun to soften slightly, offering a ray of hope for condominium corporations seeking more manageable premiums. Deductibles, once on a continuous upward trajectory, are now stabilizing, with the exception of increases in response to claims.

The increasing costs of materials and labour have highlighted the importance of replacement cost appraisals to ensure adequate property insurance coverage is in place. These appraisals, if not completed from time to time, often reflect significantly higher values that the existing property limits; this results in a corresponding increase in overall premium.

A corporation’s declaration may specify a timeframe for how frequently an appraisal must be conducted but the wording is often vague and open to interpretation. While appraisals can potentially lead to higher premiums, they also serve the crucial purpose of ensuring that corporations maintain sufficient coverage, reducing the likelihood of having to cover additional costs out of pocket in the event of a large claim.

Insurance renewals for aging buildings now include a requirement to provide information about heating, electrical and plumbing components within the individual units, specifically focusing on their age and condition. These components are typically the responsibility of the unit owners for repair and maintenance, and as a result, the condominium corporation often lacks records for these components.

The presence of aluminum wiring, fuses, galvanized plumbing, and aging water heating and furnace equipment all contribute to an increased perceived risk for a building. As a result, buildings 40 years of age and older are asked to provide proof of proper maintenance or updates of these components prior to receiving renewal terms. Conversely, brand-new constructions are considered riskier due to potential component failures, demanding greater scrutiny during the underwriting process.

Future expectations: the road ahead

As climate change increasingly influences our weather, there will continue to be a heightened focus on the geographical areas where flooding, wind, and fire risks are higher.

Condominiums located in vulnerable zones may face increased premiums and stricter coverage terms related to their geographic location.

The availability of municipal fire protection services will be under close scrutiny, impacting insurance pricing for those properties considered to be “unprotected” or without fire services within close proximity.

Insurance companies will continue to emphasize updates to electrical, plumbing and heating components within the units. Timely maintenance and improvements will play an important role in securing favourable coverage terms and avoiding delays in the renewal process.

Compliance with reserve fund studies will be closely monitored. Condominiums that update and follow the reserve fund study demonstrate financial responsibility and the commitment to preventative maintenance and repair parameters set out in both the insuring agreement and the Condominium Act.

A frequently overlooked aspect of insurance costs is reinsurance, which can be viewed as insurance for insurance companies, serving as a safety net that allows them to distribute the risk of substantial losses. It is important to work with insurance companies that possess a reinsurance relationship and strong financial standing, as indicated by their rating on the AM Best Rating Scale. This rating offers insights into the insurer’s financial strength, ensuring their ability to effectively fulfill indemnity obligations in the event of a catastrophe.

Continue to do things right

In addition to adapting to changing insurance landscapes, condominium corporations can continue doing several things right while adding on their current risk management programs:

✓ Preventative Maintenance Programs: Continue programs for leak detection, dryer vent/duct cleaning, and fire safety planning. These programs remain crucial in helping to prevent losses and reduce the risk of insurance claims while providing evidence of continued risk management.
✓ Learning from Losses: Analyzing the reasons behind previous claims can assist in developing strategies to prevent similar incidents in the future. When multiple claims of the same nature occur, it signals the need to review current risk management practices. During the renewal process, the insurance company will likely seek assurances regarding plans to address and improve the situation.
✓ Collecting Information on Heating Systems and Water Heaters: Gather information on the age and condition of these components within the units. This data can assist insurers in assessing the risk and pricing coverage accordingly. A property with proof of newer components within the units can potentially be viewed as “updated” by the insurance company and premium savings may be possible.
✓ Inspect Old Wiring: Have a professional conduct an inspection of aluminum wiring and follow through with any recommendations made. To minimize the risk of fire, any improper connections between copper-rated fixtures and aluminum wiring must be correct and documented.
✓ Choose a Condominium Broker: Collaborating with a specialized insurance broker is of utmost importance. Condominium specialists possess expertise in the distinct challenges and requirements of condominium corporations, making them an invaluable source of advice and support throughout the policy term.

Tricia Baratta, R.I.B. (Ont), LCCI, is a commercial insurance professional at Gallagher and president of CCI London and Area.

Guiding principles expected to be integrated into lighting standards

Curbing light pollution and saving energy are mutually supportive objectives

BOMEX 2026

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