CAF-FCA funding to help boost women in trades

The Canadian Apprenticeship Forum (CAF-FCA) announced a new partnership and $100,000 in funding from RBC, which will help support CAF’s National Leadership Program for Women in the Skilled Trades.

This funding will play a pivotal role in accelerating CAF-FCA’s DEI mandate to create more inclusive workplaces and ensure equitable opportunities in the trades for traditionally underrepresented individuals.

“Skilled tradespeople have always played a crucial role in Canada’s economy,” said Andrea Barrack, RBC. “Women can play a large role in addressing both the talent shortage as well as elevating themselves into more senior leadership roles.”

The program is offered at no cost and provides women and gender diverse individuals an opportunity to gain skills in a supportive environment.

To date, 23 participants have successfully completed the program. The participants indicated feeling empowered by conversations with peers and tradeswomen coaches and are now committed to helping other equity-priority groups succeed in the trades.

France Daviault, CEO of CAF-FCA, believes that this program is only the beginning of additional development supports that will help bridge the leadership equity gap.

“The goal of this program and other future CAF-FCA programs, is to support a pathway to leadership opportunities within the skilled trades. When there is equitable decision making and inclusive leadership in a place of work, recruitment, retention, and productivity are positively impacted.”

With RBC’s support, CAF-FCA is poised to help women in trades achieve success and lead the way in highlighting the benefits of diverse, equitable and inclusive skilled trades workplaces.

Maple-Knappett selected for CVRD sewer project

Maple-Knappett joint venture and Wacor Holdings have been selected by the Comox Valley Regional District (CVRD) for the construction of the Sewer Conveyance project.

The contractors’ proposals came in below the budgeted amount, allowing the CVRD to adjust the project’s projected total cost to $96 million. This figure stands $5 million lower than the approved project budget, signifying a noteworthy success in project procurement.

“Maple Reinders and Knappett Industries, are grateful for the opportunity to support the Comox Valley Regional District, community and the K’ómoks First Nation with the delivery of the Comox Valley Sewer Conveyance Project,” stated Reuben Scholtens, Maple Reinders Group Ltd. vice president and Yosef Suna, Knappett Industries Ltd. general manager. “We recognize the vital role this project plays in these vibrant and growing communities, and the significance that the completion of this project will have for the realization of Comox Valley Regional District’s Liquid Waste Management Plan.”

The Sewer Conveyance Project involves the construction of a new Courtenay Pump Station, retrofits to the K’ómoks First Nation and Town of Comox Pump Stations, and the installation of more than 9 kilometers of new sewer forcemain inland and away from the foreshore where it will no longer pose a threat to the environment.

“The Sewer Conveyance Project holds substantial importance as it will ensure the sustainability of the Comox Valley’s entire sewer system for years to come,” said Doug Hillian, CVRD sewage commission chair. “Undertaking a project of this considerable scale will yield a notably beneficial effect on the safety of this crucial infrastructure – a change of utmost importance in our commitment to safeguarding the environment and acting as stewards of the lands and waterways.”

Construction is scheduled to start March 2024 and last approximately 30 months.

City of Hamilton green lights 45-storey waterfront tower

A 45-storey tower has been approved as part of a redevelopment project that will transform Pier 8 in Hamilton, Ontario, into a waterfront community.

Waterfront Shores, the site’s developer, along with Tercot Communities and Cityzen, said its working with the City Council to follow the standards for a net-zero carbon building design.

“As the days come, we will review next steps with the City of Hamilton and work together to see how the project will evolve,”said Joe Valela, founder and principal of Tercot Communities. “For today, we are very excited to receive Council approval for the 45-storey building and celebrate with everyone that has worked diligently to make this approval possible”.

Development plans for Block 16 aim to bring family-sized units, new public spaces and a publicly accessible look-out terrace to Hamilton’s North End. The approval allows for an additional 150 residential units.

Bruce Kuwabara, founder of KPMB Architects, is overseeing the tower’s design, which envisions a “cylindrical and lily-design building” that brings new architecture to the revitalization of the Hamilton Harbour.

Multi-res plans for a former high school site in Calgary

Minto Communities has plans to transform the former Viscount Bennett High School site in Calgary into green space and multi-unit residential buildings that connect to the community of Richmond Knob Hill.

The developer acquired the property from the Calgary Board of Education earlier this year and is referring to the project as 2501 Richmond. The redevelopment plan envisions a variety of housing types with 2,500 residences close to employment and education hubs.

Calgary is expected to outperform Alberta, with its growth rates ranging between two to 2.5 per cent through 2026. The city is on target to add about 68,000 new residents this year, translating into a demand for roughly 22,000 residences.

“Calgary’s estimated population is growing at the fastest pace among major metropolitan centres with a 4.7 per cent increase compared to this time last year,” says Jackson Cornelius, lead economist, M3 Development Management Ltd. “The year-over-year increase of rental rates is substantial.”

The vision for the project includes three distinct and connected open spaces for year-round use. They are intended to encourage community connections and gatherings.

“The 2501 Richmond site is one of very few re-development opportunities of this scale within Calgary’s established communities and is centrally located along a transit route,” says Kathy Oberg, BEDs, MEDes, RPP, MCIP and Managing Partner with B&A Studios.

A land use re-designation was submitted on November 15. Work is expected to begin in 2024.

CCI Toronto names Condo of the Year

Number One York Quay, located at 77-99 Harbour Square and managed by Del Property Management, was awarded with the Condo of the Year (COTY) Award by the Canadian Condominium Institute Toronto and Area Chapter (CCI Toronto).

Since 1991, Number One York Quay has been one of Toronto’s iconic condo buildings, with two towers (39 and 40 storeys) and 812 waterfront condos.

The board of directors and management hold regular townhall and owner and resident exclusive meetings for the purpose of educating owners on current issues and projects and assisting in creating a great community.

The community also organizes several social events, including an Annual International Women’s Day party and Pride Month celebrations. The board and management team have also undertaken several proactive projects, including flood protection measures, ensuring the safety and security of residents, and reducing the environmental footprint of the property.

“From the dedicated Board of Directors, determined Management team, hard working employees and amazing owners and residents, it truly is a team effort to be recognized for such a prestigious honour,” said property manager Lubko Belej. “There are many people at Del that work very hard.”

CCI Toronto hands out the award every year. “Our selection committee was impressed with your exquisite grounds, phenomenal views, recreational facilities, inclusive community, and your continuous commitment to making your building more energy efficient,” stated Lyndsey McNally, CCI Toronto President.

Landmark II of Thornhill, managed by GPM Property Management Inc., received an Honourable Mention, as the runner-up.

Indigenous STEM Education fund application open

Applications are open for the third annual ḴEL,ḴELOŦEN ȻE S,ISTEW̱ education fund award. The ḴEL,ḴELOŦEN ȻE S,ISTEW̱ Fund is an annual award of $5,000 to an Indigenous, First Nations, Inuit, or Métis architectural or engineering student in Canada.

The fund’s mentorship program provides all applicants access to working professionals that provide industry relationships and support pivotal career choices. On the other side, this program creates a network for Indigenous technical professionals to draw from and collaborate together. Eligible students must identify as an Indigenous, First Nations, Inuit, or Métis persons from Canada, be working towards a career in engineering or architecture and be enrolled in post-secondary studies for the 2023-2024 academic year.

“There are very few Indigenous, First Nations, Inuit, and Métis professionals working in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM). Many engineering and architecture firms work with Indigenous communities but few have Indigenous people working within their organizations. Our partners recognize this and want to help Indigenous people pursue careers in our industry”, says Kear Porttris, committee chair and Métis engineering graduate.

Established in June 2021 by Diamond Schmitt, AME Group, Gwaii Engineering, Number TEN Architectural Group, AES Engineering, RJC Engineers, and the Victoria Native Friendship Centre; the ḴEL,ḴELOŦEN ȻE S,ISTEW̱ Fund aims to bring more Indigenous voices into architecture and building design, imbuing these industries with Indigenous values, perspectives and ways of knowing, being and doing.

The naming of the post-secondary education fund acknowledges the territories of Lekungen, W̱SÁNEĆ and Malahat Peoples. To honour the local Nations the team worked with the SENĆOŦEN Language-Revitalization Group to name the award and begin in a good way. What emerged through conversation was this phrase: ḴEL,ḴELOŦEN ȻE S,ISTEW̱. The English translation is “a dream for what becomes of you.”

The deadline for submissions is December 15, 2023.

The road to more rental housing

It’s no surprise that Canada’s insufficient rental housing supply featured prominently in the federal government’s fall economic update, delivered November 21st. Introducing a slew of new measures to help restore housing affordability, the federal government’s plan includes getting more shovels in the ground by addressing the skilled labour shortage, introducing billions of dollars in financing toward the creation of more purpose-built rental homes, and cracking down on short-term rental operations.

“Our economic plan is about building a strong economy that works for everyone, and this Fall Economic Statement is the next phase of our plan,” said Chrystia Freeland, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance. “With a focus on supporting the middle class and building more homes, faster, we are taking action on the priorities that matter most to Canadians today—and we will continue doing everything we can to deliver for Canadians from coast to coast to coast.”

So far, response from the sector has been largely favourable with advocates calling the new measures “promising”—or at the very least, a step in the right direction. Referring to the housing crisis as the worst in generations, Richard Lyall, president of the Residential Construction Council of Ontario (RESCON), put it this way: “Billion-dollar fixes are being proposed, but the housing supply crisis and affordability issue is a trillion-dollar problem, as noted by the CMHC. We are encouraged that housing is a main focus of the feds but there are still many impediments that were not addressed such as the enormous infrastructure funding gap faced by municipalities that impedes new home construction. We need a Marshall plan-styled strategy with respect to the chronic housing supply shortfall.”

Ontario REALTORS were more enthusiastic about the proposed measures, specifically those intended to jumpstart housing construction.

“We are pleased to see several pro-housing, pro-supply measures on the table today, including a commitment of $15-billion in low-cost loans for new purpose-built rentals and $1-billion dedicated to new non-profit housing,” said OREA CEO Tim Hudak. “As interest rates have increased over the past year, financing has become increasingly expensive – so programs such as this can help get rental housing construction underway. The Government of Canada’s housing-focused Fall Economic Statement is a clear indication the federal government is taking this issue seriously.”

Meanwhile, Toronto Mayor Olivia Chow expressed disappointment in the increased housing investments, referring to them as ‘not ambitious enough.’

“Toronto urgently needs more money to alleviate the dire housing crisis,” she told reporters after the update. “There’s a plan there, it’s promising—but the people need more, faster.”

Short-term rental deterrents

One way the government hopes to bring more rental housing to market quickly is by cracking down on short-term rental operators. It’s estimated that Montréal, Toronto, and Vancouver alone lost 18,900 homes to short-term rental use in 2020—homes the government says could have been used for permanent rental housing.

To harness them for long-term usage, short-term rental operators in Canada will soon be denied income tax deductions for expenses incurred to earn short-term rental income, including interest expenses in provinces and municipalities that have prohibited short-term rentals. The 2023 Fall Economic Statement is also proposing $50 million over three years to support municipal enforcement of restrictions on short-term rentals.

“We know that short-term rentals through sites like Airbnb and VRBO mean fewer homes for Canadians to rent and live in full time, especially in urban and populated areas of our country,” Chrystia Freeland said on October 17. “That is why our government is actively examining what options and tools exist at the federal level, to ensure more short-term rentals are made available as long term-rentals, as permanent homes, for Canadians to live in.”

This comes a month after the B.C. government introduced measures of its own to limit short-term rental operations, including a rule that operators in the province must live in the same house or suite as the rental space. B.C. will also be providing municipalities with resources to penalize operators that don’t operate according to municipal bylaws.

Low-interest financing

On the construction front, Canada’s housing supply has not been keeping up with the growth of its communities, and rental housing in particular is short of where it should be. The government hopes to spur new development by giving builders access to low-cost financing offered through the new Apartment Construction Loan Program, previously known as the Rental Construction Financing Initiative. Since 2017, the program has committed over $17 billion in loans to support the creation of more than 46,000 new rental homes. Now, an additional $15 billion in funding will be used to support an additional 30,000 rental homes.

According to the feds, “the new Apartment Construction Loan Program will be available to provinces and territories that are ready to deliver thousands of new homes for the middle class, along with the community supports, such as affordable early learning and child care, that families depend on to get ahead.”

Speeding up approvals, reducing red tape

While it was noted that CMHC requires some processing time to ensure investments meet the right policy criteria and risk level, the government indicates that efforts will be made to get things done faster. As per the fall statement, future housing developers can look forward to improvements in the approval stage, with CMHC vowing to “streamline and simplify requirements and application processes and fast-track shovel-ready projects and applications from trusted partners.”

Overall, the government concedes that the road to increasing housing supply requires the removal of zoning, financial, and regulatory barriers that disincentivize construction, particularly for rental and affordable housing.

“Outdated and unnecessary zoning restrictions delay development and increase costs—and in too many cities across the country, they prevent housing from being built at all,” the Fall Economic Statement concludes. “The federal government is working with governments across Canada to help them cut red tape, speed up permitting approvals, lift zoning restrictions, and build more homes, faster.”

For the full host of measures, including details on previously announced initiatives such as the Enhanced GST Rental Rebate program, visit: 2023 Fall Economic Statement (canada.ca)

FC&M’s Fall 2023 issue is now available!

Facility cleaning and maintenance continue to grow and evolve, improving efficiencies, increasing technology adoption, and finding ways to prosper amid continuing industry challenges. In the last quarter of this year, we look back at how far we’ve come, and we look ahead to what the future brings.

Our Fall 2023 issue recognizes a bright future, as technology like AI becomes more mainstream. As commercial cleaners and maintenance professionals make use of these tools to enhance operations and increase efficiencies, we head into a promising and prosperous 2024. We also look at how the industry is changing, highlighting tips and tricks to grow a successful commercial cleaning business.

With the temperatures dropping as we head into the colder months; we focus on the benefits of taking a proactive approach to winter maintenance. From cleanliness to health and safety, now’s the time to plan for an effective and reliable winter cleaning and maintenance program. With the change in temperature comes the risk of pests in your building, so we offer some practical advice to safeguard your facility and protect your business.

In our cover story, we examine women in the commercial cleaning industry, asking four members of the Hygieia Network for their insight on what the industry looks like these days, what tools have helped them get where they are today, and for their insight on the best tools for women looking to lead the commercial cleaning industry.

For our expert Q&A, we share our interview with Michael Kroupa, CEO at United Services Group. We focus on successful succession, what it’s like for the next generation to take over the business, shifting leadership styles, and where United sees itself in the future.

This issue spotlights some of the challenges and changes that the cleaning and maintenance industry face in the fall, as we head into the colder months and the end of 2023.

Read the full Fall 2023 issue here.

Waste biomass generation tapped for tax credits

Systems using waste biomass to produce electricity, heat or combined heat and power (CHP) will now qualify for the federal tax credits already extended to other designated clean technologies. This new eligibility for the 30 per cent clean technology investment tax credit, or 15 per cent clean electricity investment credit for larger systems capable of inter-provincial/territorial transmission, was announced in the Canadian government’s fall economic statement, released November 21.

“Turning waste biomass into electricity and heat is, on a life cycle basis, a carbon-neutral energy solution, with potential to be carbon-negative when combined with carbon capture, utilization and storage, while providing new opportunities for major Canadian industries,” it states.

To qualify, electricity generating or CHP systems must rely solely on specified waste biomass fuel sources, including: wood waste; plant residue; municipal waste; sludge from an eligible sewage treatment facility; spent pulping liquor; food and animal waste; manure; pulp and paper by-product; or separated organics. The same criteria applies to heat generation systems, with the exception of spent pulping liquor, which contains chemicals used in pulp processing. Additionally, all eligible systems must have a heat rate threshold no greater than 11,000 British thermal units (Btu) per kilowatt-hour.

The tax credit applies on capital costs of: electricity, heat and CHP generating equipment; heat recovery equipment; equipment such as gasifiers used to enhance the combustibility of waste biomass fuel sources; and devices or systems associated with the operation of the other eligible equipment. Cooling towers, fuel storage and handling equipment and equipment related to district energy or carbon capture, utilization and storage do not qualify.

Investors acquiring generating systems fuelled with waste biomass will qualify for the 30 per cent clean technology investment credit as of November 21, 2023. For larger electricity generating systems, the 15 per cent clean electricity investment credit will apply for generating facilities that commenced construction as of March 28, 2023.

Highway 3 in Alberta awarded to Ledcor

The first phase of twinning for Alberta’s Highway 3, between the town of Taber and the hamlet of Burdett, is set to start in the spring. The contract for the 46-kilometre project was recently awarded to Ledcor Highways Ltd.

Pre-construction work, including acquiring the right of way and relocating utilities, is underway and will be completed this year. Construction will begin in spring 2024, with completion anticipated in 2025. The project is expected to support 755 jobs.

“Highway 3 is a key economic corridor in southern Alberta between Saskatchewan and British Columbia, south of the Trans-Canada Highway,” stated Devin Dreeshen, the province’s Minister of Transportation and Economic Corridors. “It is critical infrastructure for Alberta’s growing agri-business industry and will enhance tourism and improve safety in the region as well.”

The province is providing almost $180 million in funding, for the project, which impacts a section of the highway that sees about 3,900 vehicles per day.

The process of twinning Highway 3 from border to border will be completed in eight phases, which the province says will limit costs and minimize disruption to people and businesses along the route. The other seven sections of the project are in various phases, including consultation, planning and design, land acquisition, environmental assessment, engineering or contract tendering.

“This is great news for our association members and municipalities all along the agri-food corridor, in addition to all southern Albertans who will be ecstatic when dirt begins to move next spring,” said Bill Chapman, president of the Highway 3 Twinning Development Association. “Our association extends our thanks to Premier Danielle Smith and Devin Dreeshen, minister of Transportation and Economic Corridors, for your commitment to this vital project.”

Bill 91: permission given but details missing

No one expects to be grateful for a pandemic. However, condominium corporations and property managers can thank the pandemic for one thing – the modernization of how meetings, voting and service of documents occur for condominium communities in Ontario.

Thanks to the recent permanent changes to the Condominium Act (the Act), courtesy of Bill 91, Less Red Tape, Stronger Economy Act, 2023, which came into effect on October 1, 2023, many of the temporary pandemic-imposed changes, which allowed for virtual meetings, voting and electronic service, have now become something that is permanently permitted without the necessity of a bylaw.

There has also been one new change with the addition of section 45(9), which puts an end to any debate about whether an owner who casts a vote ahead of the meeting counts towards quorum for the meeting.

Below is a summary of the three main areas in which the Act has been permanently changed:

Virtual Meetings – Owners and Directors

Whether the meeting is completely virtual, in person or a combination of both (hybrid), condo corporations can now legally hold a valid owner meeting in any of these formats without a bylaw authorizing it.

In terms of director meetings, they can be held in person, virtually or a combination of both, and the consent of all directors to the format of the meeting is not required. In order for the meeting to be valid, all directors and those participating in the meeting must be able to communicate with each other “simultaneously and instantaneously”. If the meeting is virtual, instructions for how to connect to the meeting and how to vote must be included in the Notice of Meeting.

It is interesting to note that section 45(8) of the Act requires that all owners must be able to reasonably participate, regardless of the format of an owner meeting.

What is “reasonable” participation is not defined in the Act or in Bill 91. Despite this lack of clarity in the legislation, it will be important when planning the format of your meeting to keep this requirement in mind, especially if you are choosing a virtual or hybrid model. It is also interesting to note that this requirement is different from the simultaneous and instantaneous requirement for director meetings. Obviously, the government intended a different standard for director meetings from that of owner meetings as they used different language in the description of the requirements for each.

Only time will tell whether this will have a practical impact or not. Based on the use of the word “reasonable”, it appears that the standard for participating at an owner meeting will be interpreted as something less stringent and more flexible than a director meeting and could be dependent on the community itself.

What is reasonable in one community may not be reasonable in another. Despite the different wording used in the legislation, I see no reason why an owner meeting should not be conducted to the same standard as that required for a director meeting. Would it not be reasonable for an owner, who attends a meeting, to be able to participate at the same time as other owners regardless of how they joined the meeting? One explanation for the difference in standards could be due to the new addition of s. 45(9).

Voting

Section 45(9) is one of new changes to the Act that was not part of the temporary provisions in place during the pandemic. Section 45(9) deems that an owner who casts a vote before the meeting date is to be counted towards quorum as if the owner were present at the meeting.

This change is welcomed as it settles any debate about whether an advanced vote counts towards the quorum requirements for a meeting. However, this change also makes it impossible for owners, who are deemed present at a meeting that they are not physically attending due to casting a vote in advance of the meeting, to participate simultaneously and instantaneously with those who are actually attending the meeting days if not weeks later.

While the amendment in this section clarified the debate on the quorum issue, the legislative changes have fallen short as they fail to address the practical issues which can occur when owners are not in attendance at the actual meeting and have voted in advance of the meeting, such as amendments to motions from the floor, nominations from the floor for candidates, etc.

While advance voting will be convenient and may encourage more participation, owners need to be made aware of the limits of advance voting and should be encouraged to attend the actual meeting, which can be facilitated with virtual or hybrid meetings.

Although advance voting is permitted, condo corporations may want to consider if it makes sense for the particular meeting they are having and may want to set some parameters regarding advance voting in their bylaws.

Section 52(1.1) and (1.1.1) also confirms that voting can take place by a variety of methods or a combination of those methods. Voting can take place entirely by electronic or telephonic means (the definition is now contained in the definition section of the Act) unless the corporation provides for something else in their bylaws.

Section 55(1) has also been updated to deal with record keeping requirements for ballots and proxies. It includes all ballots or instruments appointing a proxy that are submitted for a meeting or delivered before the meeting, including any record of votes cast through telephonic or electronic means both before and after the meeting.

Service by methods other than in person or mail

We all know how difficult it was to obtain the signed agreement to receive electronic notices forms from owners to allow service of documents to owners electronically. This method of service has saved condominium corporations a great deal of money as they did not need to pay for printing and postage costs. Thankfully, the temporary measures, which allowed service by electronic means without the owner’s consent by way of the prescribed form, have now been made permanent.

As such, if an owner provides an email address at any time to the condominium, then the corporation can use email as a way of serving notices or things unless the bylaws say otherwise or the owner has advised in writing that they will not accept notices or things by email.

Electronic means would also allow for service by fax. While many condominiums already ask for the owner’s email address, it would be a good idea for condominiums to send out yearly owner and tenant information forms instructing owners and tenants to provide updated contact information including email addresses.

This will ensure the most current information is always on file should a corporation need to provide notice to a tenant or owner. The email address will become a record of the corporation, but this information is not to be shared with other owners.

While it is great that Bill 91 has given permission to continue to operate in the same manner as during the pandemic, the government has failed to provide the necessary details with respect to process and procedures required to make the concepts of virtual/hybrid meetings, electronic and advanced voting and service by electronic means work in the day-to-day operations of a condominium.

As a result, they are still forcing condominiums to deal with many of the specific details by way of a bylaw amendment. Some corporations have implemented processes and procedures to deal with virtual and hybrid meetings, electronic voting, advance voting and service of notices and updated their bylaws in the last year or two. However, it would be advisable for condominium corporations to speak with their legal counsel about whether an update or further update to the bylaws is required.

For the few condo corporations that do not want to embrace these permanent changes, the Act has allowed them to opt out, but it will require an amendment to their bylaws. Corporations who are considering this should speak to their legal counsel about any concerns. Rather than opting out, the solution may lie in implementing parameters regarding procedure to address your concerns.

Sonja Hodis is a litigation lawyer based in Barrie who practices condominium law in Ontario. She advises condominium boards and owners on their rights and responsibilities under the Condominium Act, 1998 and other legislation that affects condominiums. She represents her clients at all levels of court, various Tribunals and in mediation/arbitration proceedings. She also acts as mediator or arbitrator in condo disputes. Sonja can be reached at (705) 737-4403, [email protected] or via her website at www.hodislaw.com.

This article is provided as an information service and is not intended to be a legal opinion. Readers are cautioned not to act on the information provided without seeking legal advice with respect to their specific unique circumstances. Sonja Hodis, 2023 All Rights Reserved.

Primaris REIT to acquire Halifax retail properties

Primaris Real Estate Investment Trust (REIT) will add two prominent Halifax retail properties to its portfolio. The $370 million deal for the Halifax Shopping Centre and its associated open-air Annex is slated to close at the end of November. Vendor, OPB Realty Inc., is to receive $200 million in cash, with the remainder of the purchase price to be conveyed in units.

“We are very pleased to add Atlantic Canada’s premiere shopping centre complex to the Primaris portfolio,” says Alex Avery, the REIT’s chief executive officer. “This acquisition further demonstrates Primaris as an attractive buyer for Canadian pension fund vendors of market leading Canadian shopping centres, with multiple discussions continuing for further acquisitions.

Halifax Shopping Centre is a 562,000-square-foot enclosed mall located on a 21-acre site along Mumford Road, a major arterial on the edge of the Halifax Peninsula. A $54-million redevelopment of the former Sears’ anchor space is now substantially complete and a number of new leases are in place. The mall will be at 96 per cent occupancy once those tenants move in.

The Annex is an adjacent 416,000-square-foot open-air retail centre on a 26-acre site. Both sites are well connected to public transit and the Halifax Regional Municipality has designated the Annex for potential future in-fill residential development.

“With very strong sales performance trending above $1,000 per square foot, this acquisition enhances the REIT’s portfolio value proposition with retailers, and offers a significant income growth opportunity consistent with the growth we see ahead for our existing assets,” says Patrick Sullivan, president and chief operating officer at Primaris.

The REIT is Canada’s second largest owner of enclosed shopping centre. The Halifax deal follows the acquisition of Conestoga Mall in Kitchener, Ontario, earlier this year.

Harrison Street acquires two Kingston student housing assets

Chicago-based Harrison Street announced it has acquired two new student housing assets in Kingston, Ontario, via its open-ended Canada Alternative Real Estate Fund. Combined, the two adjacent properties known as “Division” and “Garrett” consist of 53 residential units and 145 beds. Both properties were recently completed (within the past year) and both are currently 100 per cent occupied.

This portfolio acquisition provides Harrison Street with direct exposure to Queen’s University—a top student market serving approximately 30,000 students, in an area with a notoriously low vacancy rate of 1 per cent.

“We are thrilled to announce the acquisition of these exceptional student housing communities in Kingston, marking another milestone for the Fund,” said Jonathan Turnbull, Head of Transactions and Business Development, Canada. “Through leveraging Harrison Street’s global experience and relationships in the student housing sector, we continue to focus on finding compelling investment opportunities and expanding our portfolio into high-growth markets across the country. This project not only strengthens our growing presence but underscores our commitment to providing excellent living spaces that cater to the unique needs of students.”

Varsity Communities, one of the leading PBSA operators in Canada, will oversee property management for both the Division and Garrett properties. Founded in Kingston in 2003, the company has gained significant student housing experience and currently manages 1,959 beds in Kingston and 4,004 beds throughout Ontario.

“Our Varsity team is thrilled to begin operating Canadian PBSA’s with Harrison Street. Jonathan and his team have selected an exceptional asset in a highly desirable location in the heart of the Kingston’s University District,” said A.J. Keilty, President & CEO, Varsity Communities. “We look forward to providing residents at this new community with an exceptional programmatic living experience.”

Following this transaction, Harrison Street’s open-ended Canada Alternative Real Estate Fund has closed on investments valued in excess of CAD$1.0 billion since launching in 2021. The fund has invested in over 1,200 student housing beds, nearly 1,000 senior housing units, 220,000 square feet of medical office space, and over 77,000 square feet of life sciences.

IESO on standby to address municipal councils

Ontario’s Independent Electricity System Operator (IESO) is now on standby to address municipal councils deliberating proposals for new or expanded generating facilities. The availability effort comes after the provincial Minister of Energy, Todd Smith, called on the IESO to meet with local decision-makers and/or attend community information forums to explain electricity supply needs and impartially answer technical questions.

Under Ontario’s program and rules, the IESO procures new electricity supply through a competitive process, but municipal councils in the host jurisdictions must give formal approval before projects can proceed. Smith’s instructions were sent out in a November 14 letter, the same day Greater Napanee Council was to consider a proposal for a 400-megawatt (MW) expansion in generating capacity at the existing gas-fired plant in that town.

“I have heard from a number of elected municipal officials that, while our government’s approach to putting local decision-making first is welcome, more can be done to ensure municipal councils have access to the information needed to make informed decisions,” he wrote.

The IESO representatives would have to refrain from expressing opinions in favour or against any proposed projects. Alternatively, the Minister urges them to explain how procurement of new supply supports the government’s goal for electrification of transportation and industrial processes and the need for “system reliability” with projected increased electricity demand.

“As elected officials at all levels have an increasing role to play in this transition, supporting the knowledge and understanding of electricity planning and our electricity grid is a key responsibility of Ontario’s Independent Electricity System Operator,” Smith submitted.

Prospective IESO delegations are also told to “prioritize appearances at municipal councils that are considering projects that can produce energy on demand”. That definition would include the gas-fired generation and energy storage projects procured last year through requests for proposals (RFPs) and targeted for an in-progress procurement process, still accepting submissions until next month.

For its part, the IESO website reports: “The IESO made itself available at the Greater Napanee Council on November 14 and will continue to do so going forward.” Meanwhile, the Council deferred making a decision at that time and will resume deliberations later this month.

ISSA Show North America celebrates 2023 Innovation Awards winners

Informa Markets’ ISSA Show North America announced the recipients of the 2023 ISSA Show Innovation Awards. The Innovation Awards program honours trailblazing companies in the commercial, institutional, and residential cleaning community.

“As we celebrate 100 years of ISSA at this year’s show, it’s also important to look towards the future,” said Ed Nichols, ISSA Show North America Show Director for Informa Markets. “This year’s award recipients are truly elevating the cleaning industry and leading the charge for innovation into the next century of ISSA.”

GP PRO (Georgia-Pacific) was honoured with the Innovation of the Year Award for its Compact Quad^® Plus 4-Roll Toilet Paper Dispenser. Designed for maximum waste reduction, hygiene, and ease of maintenance, this coreless toilet paper dispensing system holds up to 6,000 two-ply or 12,000 one-ply sheets.

The Innovation of the Year Award Honourees include:

PathogenFocus Air/Surface Disinfection Biosecurity by PathogenFocus is a clean tech solution—a chemical free organic technology that protects people and processes.
Proline WAVE^™ 1-liter manual dispenser by SC Johnson Professional uses the equivalent of 16.9 fl. oz. of recovered coastal plastic waste in its plastic bottles, making it a great choice for facilities that care about sustainability and want a reliable solution for their busy restrooms.
All Floor^™ cleaning system by Kaivac Inc. is designed to deeply clean high volumes of both hard surface flooring and carpeting on a single platform, with the ability to easily switch between modes for the best of both worlds.
Multi-Surface Ceramic Clearcoat PURE AIR Coating by SIMIX LLC transforms all HVAC systems, floors, and roofs into air purifiers that never stop working.
Evogen^® Tri-Vend High-Capacity No-Touch Menstrual Care Product Dispenser by Hospeco Brands Group provides comfort and convenience for patrons with an inviting, hands-free experience.

The recipient of the Environment & Sustainability Award, for its dedication to environmental innovation, is Natura Yarn by ABCO Products Corp., the first and only line of Green Seal-certified wet and dry mopping products.

Honourees of the Environment & Sustainability Award include:

Super Hydro Pod Foaming Hand Soap by Soap2o allows you to completely eliminate single-use plastic and the shipping of water, while saving up to 40% on your costs.
Tork Carbon Neutral Dispensers by Tork, an Essity brand, are a line of 11 innovative dispensers that have been certified as carbon neutral.

The recipients of the Innovation Industry Choice Awards include:

Distributors: Natura Yarn line of mopping products by ABCO Products Corp.
Facility Service Providers: All Floor^™ cleaning system by Kaivac Inc.
Manufacturer Representatives: TOPFILL^™ No Touch Counter Mount Soap Dispenser by Kutol Products use an innovative locking refill dock that allows for refilling from above the counter—instead of below—saving labour time, strain, and stress.
Residential: SIMPL: Smart Inspect Machine Predictive Learning by SmartInspect^™ applies the power of machine learning to your inspection data.

For more information about this year’s award winners, please visit this link.

B.C. issues RFP for standardized housing design

The B.C. government is working to create new standardized designs to streamline the development process for small-scale, multi-unit homes, such as townhomes, triplexes and laneway homes.

The province has issued a request for proposals (RFP) to select a consultant team for the new Standardized Housing Design Project and will accept proposals until Dec. 13.

The consultant’s scope of work will include collaborative engagement with industry professionals and local governments to develop the design parameters that can be used to create standardized housing designs. The consultant will also support the province in reviewing the draft and completed designs.

The province will work with the consultant for nine months, with the goal to procure design services by spring 2024. Standardized designs and plans are expected to be available to local governments by summer 2024.

The goal is to substantially streamline the permitting process to make it easier for local governments to give building-permit approvals quickly and save builders and homeowners the costs that come from expensive design services. The project will also assist smaller local governments that may not have the resources to develop standardized designs to help approve developments efficiently and quickly.

As many as 10 different designs will be developed. The designs will comply with the BC Building Code and are expected to be as close as possible to building-permit ready, recognizing minor amendments may be required by local designers or architects to take into account specific site conditions. The designs will be created for various lot sizes and configurations to be widely applicable throughout B.C. and are expected to help builders and homeowners add increased density to their existing properties quickly and more affordably.

2023 marks the 10-year anniversary of the launch of Canadian content in ENERGY STAR® Portfolio

Natural Resources Canada

Developed and released in 2000 by the United States (US) Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), ENERGY STAR Portfolio Manager is the industry standard for benchmarking and comparing energy use, greenhouse gas emissions (GHG), and water and waste consumption in large buildings. Free to use in a secure online platform, ENERGY STAR Portfolio Manager is a valuable management tool that can help building owners and managers identify underperforming buildings, set investment priorities, and verify efficiency improvements and savings.

Responding to demand from users for Canadian building data and features, Natural Resources Canada (NRCan) and the EPA entered into a cooperative agreement in 2011 to develop Canadian content for ENERGY STAR Portfolio Manager. Officially launched in 2013, the Canadian adaptation of the tool includes multiple features specifically geared towards Canada, including Canadian site and source energy, Canadian GHG emissions factors, weather data, metric units, a bilingual user interface, and the ENERGY STAR^® score rating system for Canadian buildings.

Ten years on, the US and Canadian collaboration on ENERGY STAR Portfolio Manager ensures the tool remains relevant to users on both sides of the border.

What data has been collected over the past 10 years?

In Canada, ENERGY STAR Portfolio Manager is widely used by government, industry, and professionals to deliver on energy savings and sustainability initiatives. All data collected is made possible thanks to users of the tool, primarily the real estate management industry, who see the value in adopting benchmarking as a strategy to improve building energy performance.

ENERGY STAR Portfolio Manager offers users a comprehensive suite of over 100 metrics to track and assess building performance. The most common building types in Canada, such as offices, retail spaces, supermarkets, warehouses, and multi-use residential buildings, are eligible for the 1-100 ENERGY STAR score to assess energy use relative to similar buildings. Users can tailor their experience by incorporating custom use details and intensity metrics, to align with organizational priorities.

ENERGY STAR Portfolio Manager is not just a tool for individual building or portfolio assessment. The data captured contributes to the broader understanding of Canada’s building sector and is used by provincial, territorial, and municipal governments to shape sub-national policies and strategies that can help Canada meet its climate targets. To support these efforts, NRCan publishes energy benchmarking snapshots of data and trend analyses of buildings registered in the tool and, upon request, provides aggregated building data to these users and the public. Work is underway to enhance the ability for users to obtain and query aggregate data from ENERGY STAR Portfolio Manager.

NRCan is proud of its collaboration with the EPA on ENERGY STAR Portfolio Manager and improving energy efficiency in buildings is crucial to help Canada and the US meet their climate targets.

What have we learned from the past decade?

It’s been an incredible decade of growth for Canadian content and representation in ENERGY STAR Portfolio Manager. In 2013, there were over 4,000 Canadian buildings captured in the tool, equivalent to approximately 0.8% of the commercial and institutional building floor space in Canada. As of 2023, there are over 42,000 buildings, equivalent to approximately 40% of the commercial and institutional building floor space in Canada. This underscores the pivotal role that ENERGY STAR Portfolio Manager plays in meeting the demand for robust energy management solutions throughout Canada.

A growing number of jurisdictions and organizations are adopting benchmarking, labelling, and disclosure and building performance standards (BPS) programs. ENERGY STAR Portfolio Manager is the cornerstone of many of these, offering a unified platform for users to gather, report, and share data, or to be recognized for superior energy performance through ENERGY STAR certification. Further, many utilities have integrated ENERGY STAR Portfolio Manager web services into their offerings to upload utility data securely and automatically into the tool.

As user needs evolve, ENERGY STAR Portfolio Manager is about to undergo a significant upgrade to refresh the user interface, enhance current functionality, and add new features. Some measures include expanded functionality to track energy use and GHG emissions, and new functionality to track progress on BPS targets. These improvements will help organizations to reduce their energy use, achieve cost savings, and increase competitiveness.

How can you join us in celebrating 10 years of ENERGY STAR Portfolio Manager?

This summer we launched our 10th anniversary Recognition Challenge, a one-time recognition initiative for all organizations that certify 5, 10, or 25 buildings for the 2023 certification year. Recognized organizations and buildings will be celebrated on a new NRCan webpage and recipients will receive recognition materials to use in their communications.

We are also about to launch a recognition initiative to acknowledge individuals, teams, and organizations pivotal to the success of the Canadian adaptation of ENERGY STAR Portfolio Manager. The 10th anniversary is a fitting occasion to celebrate the significant contributions that have played a vital role in the success of the program.

More activities and recognitions are planned throughout the year, so please check our website and ENERGY STAR social media channels. To learn more, visit: https://natural-resources.canada.ca

2023 marque le dixième anniversaire du lancement du contenu canadien de l’outil ENERGY STAR^® Portfolio Manager^®.

Ressources naturelles Canada

Conçu et diffusé en 2000 par l’Environmental Protection Agency des États-Unis (EPA), ENERGY STAR Portfolio Manager est une norme de l’industrie en matière d’analyse comparative de la consommation énergétique, des émissions de gaz à effet de serre (GES), de la consommation d’eau et de la production de déchets des grands bâtiments. D’utilisation gratuite et sécuritaire, cette plate-forme en ligne est un outil de gestion fort utile qui permet aux propriétaires et aux gestionnaires de bâtiments d’identifier les bâtiments de moindre rendement, d’établir les priorités en matière d’investissement et de suivre les améliorations et les économies écoénergétiques.

Afin de répondre aux demandes des utilisateurs de données et de fonctionnalités canadiennes, Ressources naturelles Canada (RNCan) et l’EPA ont conclu une entente de collaboration en 2011 pour concevoir le contenu canadien de l’outil ENERGY STAR Portfolio Manager. Lancé officiellement en 2013, l’adaptation de l’outil comprend plusieurs fonctionnalités spécialement conçues pour le Canada comme le site canadien et les sources d’énergie, les facteurs canadiens d’émissions de GES, les données météo, les unités métriques, une interface bilingue et le système de cotation ENERGY STAR^® pour les bâtiments canadiens.

Dix ans plus tard, les États-Unis et le Canada collaborent toujours pour s’assurer que l’outil ENERGY STAR Portfolio Manager demeure pertinent pour les utilisateurs des deux côtés de la frontière.

Quelles données ont été collectées au cours des 10 dernières années?

Au Canada, ENERGY STAR Portfolio Manager est largement utilisé par le gouvernement, l’industrie et les professionnels pour mettre en œuvre des initiatives d’économie d’énergie et de développement durable. Toutes les données collectées sont rendues possibles grâce aux utilisateurs de l’outil, principalement le secteur de la gestion immobilière, qui voient l’intérêt d’adopter l’analyse comparative comme stratégie d’amélioration du rendement énergétique des bâtiments.

ENERGY STAR Portfolio Manager offre aux utilisateurs une gamme complète de plus de 100 mesures pour suivre et évaluer le rendement des bâtiments. Les types de bâtiment les plus courants au Canada, comme les bureaux, les espaces de vente au détail, les supermarchés, les entrepôts et les immeubles résidentiels polyvalents, sont admissibles aux cotes de rendement ENERGY STAR de 1-100 pour comparer la consommation d’énergie par rapport à celle de bâtiments similaires. Les utilisateurs peuvent personnaliser leur expérience en intégrant des détails personnalisés sur l’utilisation et des mesures d’intensité pour s’harmoniser aux priorités de l’organisation.

ENERGY STAR Portfolio Manager n’est pas seulement un outil d’évaluation de bâtiments ou de portefeuilles individuels. Les données saisies contribuent à une meilleure compréhension du secteur du bâtiment canadien et sont utilisées par les gouvernements provinciaux, territoriaux et les administrations municipales pour façonner les politiques et les stratégies nationales qui peuvent aider le Canada à atteindre ses objectifs climatiques. Pour soutenir ces efforts, RNCan publie des aperçus des données de l’analyse comparative énergétique des bâtiments enregistrés dans l’outil et, sur demande, fournit des données agrégées sur les bâtiments à ses utilisateurs et au public. Des travaux sont en cours pour améliorer la capacité des utilisateurs à obtenir des données et à faire des recherches dans ENERGY STAR Portfolio Manager.

RNCan est fier de sa collaboration avec l’EPA en ce qui concerne ENERGY STAR Portfolio Manager. Améliorer l’efficacité énergétique des bâtiments est essentiel pour aider le Canada et les États-Unis à atteindre leurs objectifs climatiques.

Qu’est-ce que nous avons appris au cours de la dernière décennie?

La dernière décennie fut incroyable pour la croissance du contenu et la représentation canadienne d’ENERGY STAR Portfolio Manager. En 2013, plus de 4 000 bâtiments canadiens ont été pris en compte dans l’outil, ce qui équivaut à environ 0,8 % de la superficie des bâtiments commerciaux et institutionnels au Canada. En 2023, il y avait plus de 42 000 bâtiments, ce qui équivaut à environ 40 % de la superficie des bâtiments commerciaux et institutionnels au Canada. Cela souligne le rôle central que joue ENERGY STAR Portfolio Manager pour répondre à la demande de solutions robustes de gestion de l’énergie partout au Canada.

Un nombre croissant d’instances et d’organisations adoptent des programmes d’analyse comparative, d’étiquetage, de divulgation et d’élaboration de normes de rendement. ENERGY STAR Portfolio Manager est la pierre angulaire de bon nombre d’entre eux, offrant une plate-forme unifiée permettant aux utilisateurs de collecter, de rapporter et d’échanger des données, ou d’être reconnus pour leur rendement énergétique supérieur grâce à la certification ENERGY STAR. De plus, de nombreux services publics ont intégré les services Web d’ENERGY STAR Portfolio Manager dans leurs offres pour télécharger les données des services publics de manière sécurisée et automatique dans l’outil.

Comme les besoins des utilisateurs évoluent, ENERGY STAR Portfolio Manager est sur le point de subir une mise à niveau importante pour actualiser l’interface utilisateur, améliorer les fonctionnalités actuelles et en ajouter de nouvelles, comme le suivi de la consommation d’énergie et des émissions de GES, ainsi que de nouvelles fonctionnalités pour suivre les progrès vers les objectifs de norme de rendement. Ces améliorations aideront les organisations à réduire leur consommation d’énergie, à réaliser des économies et à accroître leur compétitivité.

Comment se joindre à nous pour célébrer les dix ans d’ENERGY STAR Portfolio Manager?

Cet été, nous avons lancé notre Défi de reconnaissance du 10^e anniversaire, une initiative de reconnaissance unique pour toutes les organisations qui certifient 5, 10 ou 25 bâtiments pour l’année de certification 2023. Les organisations et les bâtiments reconnus seront célébrés sur une nouvelle page Web de RNCan et les récipiendaires recevront du matériel de reconnaissance à utiliser dans leurs communications.

Nous sommes également sur le point de lancer une initiative de reconnaissance pour les individus, les équipes et les organisations qui ont joué un rôle essentiel dans le succès de l’adaptation canadienne d’ENERGY STAR Portfolio Manager. Le 10e anniversaire est l’occasion idéale pour célébrer les contributions importantes qui ont joué un rôle essentiel dans le succès du programme.

D’autres activités et reconnaissances sont prévues tout au long de l’année, alors veuillez consulter notre site Web et nos réseaux sociaux ENERGY STAR. Pour en savoir plus, visitez: https://ressources-naturelles.canada.ca

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