Should your cleaning include RTUs?

As important as it is for cleaners to use the proper practices and protocols for optimum sanitation, it’s vital that they get the math right for increased safety and maximum efficacy. RTUs or ready-to-use products can offer the opportunity to skip the math required for dilution and head straight to cleaning and sanitizing.

RTUs come in all forms, including liquids, wipes, sprays, and more, all packaged and premixed, but are they right for your application? There are several things to consider before you make the switch.

Cost

RTUs are on the higher end of the cost spectrum because they skip the dilution step, but that also means they save you time, which results in less labour. As well, RTUs tend to cost less upfront, but that cost may well even out over the long term of purchasing cleaning products.

Risk

There is a lower risk with RTUs, because the correct mix does not depend on your staff, lessening the burden on your labour and mitigating that margin of error. Diluting chemicals by hand requires precision and safe practices to limit the risk that it is mixed incorrectly or that toxic gases are released. As well this step allows for the possibility of impurities entering the mix which could compromise the solution and your cleaning results.

Sustainability

Many of the RTU packaging comes from recycled material, making it a step towards lowering your carbon footprint with your cleaning products. Many of the concentrated products require special disposal, as they can be considered hazardous waste. This could add a cost to the process along with more damage to the environment.

The case for concentrate

For companies with smaller janitorial closets or limited space, storage can be an issue for RTUs, as they come in large quantities. As well, if you need to transport the solution from one area of your building to another, it can be cumbersome to carry or move the large containers of solution. Concentrates may also last longer, as the chemical is only part of the mix, so you may get a longer shelf life with a concentrated product over an RTU.

There are pros and cons to using both RTUs and concentrates, so you need to weigh all the factors to determine which best suits the needs of your team, your building, and your business.

IREM 90th anniversary to be feted in Toronto

The Institute of Real Estate Management (IREM) is celebrating its 90th anniversary this year. With 96 chapters and more than 18,000 members worldwide, the organization has long set a high standard for industry professionalism through education, certification and supporting collaborative networks for sharing information and experiences.

“This milestone is a testament to the enduring impact IREM has had on the real estate management landscape,” says Renee Savage, IREM’s 2023 president.

IREM is the developer and administrator of widely recognized certification programs for individual practitioners and management companies, including: Certified Property Manager (CPM); Accredited Residential Manager (ARM); Accredited Commercial Manager (ACoM); and Accredited Management Organization (AMO). It also promotes environmental management through the Certified Sustainable Property (CSP) designation, requiring a mixture of policies and measurable actions related to energy and water use, health, recycling and purchasing.

A new video chronicling nine decades of growth and evolution has fittingly been released 90 days in advance of the IREM’s annual Global Summit, which is set for October 9 to 12 in Toronto. The event offers a range of educational sessions, networking events and property tours, along with announcement of the year’s Real Estate Management Excellence (REME) Awards.

“We’re excited to celebrate IREM’s 90th anniversary this year, especially with our attendees at the 2023 IREM Global Summit in October,” Savage affirms. “It’s an honor to recognize how far IREM has come and set the stage for the future of this dynamic profession.”

Zibi launches Aalto ll rental development

Zibi’s newest rental offering, Aalto II, has opened doors to future residents looking to live in the sustainable community located on the Gatineau shores of the Ottawa River. Following on the success of Aalto, Zibi’s first rental building, Aalto II is now leasing 148 condo-like rental suites.

“We know the national capital region, like all of Canada, is suffering from a severe housing shortage, especially in the rental market,” said Justin Robitaille, Vice President of Development at Dream. “Aalto II is a response to that, and we look forward to unveiling some more innovative housing options at Zibi later this fall.”

The award-winning Zibi is Canada’s first One Planet Living community. The property features high transit, walkability and bike scores, and offers a unique interprovincial district energy system that heats and cools all buildings while producing zero carbon emissions.

The Aalto II leasing event is taking place Saturday, July 15 from 9 am to 5 pm at Zibi House, offering attendees the chance to lease a suite of their choice.

Find out more at: Aalto Suites

Vancouver mass timber office receives funding

The federal government has made a $3.5-million contribution to the construction of 2150 Keith Drive, an innovative hybrid mass timber commercial office building in Vancouver’s False Creek Flats neighbourhood.

The contribution will be made through the Green Construction Through Wood (GCWood) Program that supports projects and activities that increase the use of wood as a low-carbon construction material in infrastructure projects.

Featuring a unique honeycomb-shaped exterior, 2150 Keith Drive will be 10 storeys tall and over 15,000 m². It will be constructed with advanced mass timber systems using prefabricated cross-laminated timber (CLT) panels and glue-laminated (glulam) timber columns, braces and beams.

Due to its wooden braced-frame system on the exterior, the design eliminates the need for an interior concrete core, thereby reducing its environmental impact. The replicable shape of its exoskeleton design also makes it ideal for more sustainable, cost-efficient and green construction.

Exposed wood will be a major feature of the interior spaces. The use of mass timber is complemented by a palette of earth tone materials, including composite metal panels, wood soffits, and ample glazing. With balconies located between brace bays on the south, west and east elevations, the building features unique alternating outdoor space on each floor. At the top of the building, the facade extends beyond the top office floor to create a windscreen and guard for an open-air roof deck with plants, urban agriculture, and views to the North Shore mountains and the downtown Vancouver skyline.

The building is the tallest braced-frame mass timber project or building in North America and will employ an innovative seismic resistance system. The building is also targeting a minimum LEED Gold certification. Construction began last year and completion is expected in 2025.

“The Dialog design team is grateful for the financial support from Natural Resources Canada that has driven the development of innovative design and construction strategies that are economical, replicable and an important part of a sustainable future,” said Justin Tompson, senior architectural technologist, associate, Dialog.

Canada needs trade infrastructure plan

A new Ipsos survey for the Canadian Construction Association reveals that while most (95 per cent) view Canada’s trade infrastructure, like highways, ports, railroads and airports as important to Canada’s economy, almost four in 10 (38 per cent) say Canada’s trade infrastructure is in poor (30 per cent) or bad (eight per cent) shape, leaving a wide gap between the perceived importance of trade infrastructure in Canada and the assessment of its current state.

Canadians also place a high degree of importance on a skilled workforce (95 per cent), supply chains, labour supply, and internal trade (94 per cent in each) and international trade (with other countries; 92 per cent) in relation to Canada’s economy.

All of these are considered even more important among those aged 55 years and over, compared to those aged 18-34 years. Labour supply is rated as statistically significantly more important among women (95 per cent vs. 92 per cent men) as well as internal trade (96 per cent women vs. 92 per cent men).

While a high degree of importance is placed on international trade, Canadians underestimate the proportion of Canada’s economic activity that relies on international trade. When asked to guess what proportion of Canada’s total economic activity (GDP) depends on international trade, on average, Canadians guessed 50.5per cent, underestimating the true figure (65.43 per cent). When told the true figure, the proportion who consider international trade “very important” increased from 52 per cent to 62 per cent.

The majority of Canadians would like to see changes to trade infrastructure and collaboration among governments and industry to create a national plan for long-term trade infrastructure and investment.

Over nine in 10 (93 per cent) Canadians strongly (55 per cent) or somewhat (38 per cent) agree that given how important trade is to Canada, we need to prioritize making sure that our trade infrastructure can effectively move people to jobs and products to market.

This sentiment resonates most strongly in Alberta (97 per cent) and Ontario (95 per cent). A similar proportion (94 per cent) of Canadians also strongly (54 per cent) or somewhat (40 per cent) agree that Canadian governments and industry need to work together to create a national plan to invest in building and maintaining long-term, trade infrastructure.

LTB announces form changes to speed up “failing” process

Ontario’s Landlord and Tenant Board (LTB) announced it has made some key form changes in an effort to improve the landlord-tenant conflict resolution process, which has been long deemed sluggish and unsatisfactory. Specifically, it has replaced the Advance Resolution Request (ARR) form with the following two new forms:

Request to Withdraw an Application – Effective Septembers 30^th, 2023, this form can be used by applicants seeking to withdraw their applications.
Request for a Discontinuance Order Without a Hearing – Where the tenant has paid in full, including all arrears and the application fee, applicants can use this form to request their application be discontinued. An L1/L9 update sheet will no longer be required in support of a request for a discontinuance order. Instead, the applicant will now make a declaration and complete a draft order for the Board to review for issuance.

Moving forward, the memo states that parties seeking a consent order under section 206 should upload the Payment Agreement Form as a document type in the portal; there is no longer a need to also use the ARR form. The LTB said it will continue to accept the current ARR forms until September 30, 2023, after which, any ARR forms submitted will be returned and the applicant will be directed to complete one of the two forms outlined above.

“Overall, I think these are improvements for the landlord that will lead to faster processing of such matters,” commented Kristin A. Ley, Partner, Cohen Highley LLP Lawyers. “There is a little more work involved in the case of a discontinuance, but my hope is that by asking a party to submit the draft order, faster processing times will be achieved. At the same time, the Board has removed the need to submit an L1/L9 update with the request, so there may be a balancing out of the work involved.”

Ley also pointed out that the ability to submit the Payment Agreement Form on its own will benefit landlords in that it will reduce time spent preparing and submitting the former ARR form.

Other changes implemented by the LTB include updates to the Issues a Tenant Intends to Raise at a Rent Arrears Hearing form, which now requires the inclusion of a L10 application. Additionally, a new Videoconference User Feedback Survey has been added for proceedings held on Zoom. The survey, available in French and English, asks hearing participants for their feedback related to their technical experience using Zoom, appearing as a pop-up message linked to a Tribunals Ontario webpage. All feedback received is anonymous, and the LTB anticipates it will lead to “valuable insight and help improve the videoconference experience for those who come before our tribunal.”

Click here to see the memo: LTB-Stakeholder-Memo-Updates-July-4-2023-EN.pdf

Getting the return to office experience right: why hygiene management matters

Presented by Tork, an Essity brand

As businesses continue to prioritize return to office, the significance of the office facility manager’s role has never been greater. Their responsibility lies in guaranteeing a seamless and gratifying transition for employees as they settle back into the office routine. The job covers a lot of ground; everything from ensuring equipment like air conditioners are working properly to maintaining facility cleanliness. The latter has become increasingly important as consumer perceptions on hygiene have heightened during the pandemic.

Why focus on hygiene management is important today

In recent years, there has been a notable transformation in the way facility cleanliness is perceived, and this shift may have lasting effects. A survey by Essity reveals that half of employees now have elevated expectations regarding hygiene in their workplaces. For example, nearly 75% of employees expect their employers to conduct additional cleaning rounds to ensure optimal hygiene. It is imperative for every office facility manager to prioritize hygiene in order to meet and surpass the increased expectations of employees in their work environment.

The significance of workplace hygiene is evident in its potential impact on the employer-employee relationship. The same Essity survey revealed that three out of four office workers perceive inadequate office hygiene as a sign of the employer’s indifference towards their well-being. In the current landscape, where retaining top talent is exceptionally challenging, any negative sentiment towards an employer can influence employee retention. Therefore, prioritizing and maintaining high levels of hygiene in the workplace becomes crucial, as it can make or break an employee’s choice to stay with an organization.

What facility managers can do to meet (and exceed) hygiene expectations

Make hygiene a fundamental aspect of office values and norms

Ensuring that employees have convenient access to soap, sanitizer, and towel dispensers is an essential element in demonstrating an office’s dedication to hygiene. It is equally important to ensure that these dispensers are consistently stocked with the necessary products. Employees and visitors form judgments about offices based on the availability and quality of hygiene products provided. Facility managers can enhance the reputation of their office buildings by addressing these concerns and ensuring that the appropriate hygiene products are always readily available.

Leverage data-driven technology to optimize efficiency and effectiveness

As facility managers monitor the public’s preferences and implement the proper hygiene solutions, they can leverage technology to build out data-driven cleaning strategies to improve the overall operations and level of cleanliness in a facility. For example, data-driven cleaning technology, such as sensors in dispensers, provide real-time usage data to facility managers. Managers can provide real-time updates to cleaning staff advising when and where refilling is required in a facility.

Beyond this, managers can easily monitor restroom attendance levels and determine staffing needs to ensure they’re providing the optimal cleaning frequency while cutting costs. It’s been shown that utilizing data-driven cleaning services can reduce dispenser checks by up to 91%, save up to 20% of cleaning hours, and achieve up to 30% higher customer satisfaction.

Champion sustainability as a guiding principle for decision-making and actions

Facility managers have a wide range of sustainably created products to consider across various aspects of their facility, ranging from soap ingredients to paper hand towels. Eco-sustainable hand soaps made from biodegradable formulas derived from renewable sources like vegetables are now readily available. Additionally, there are paper hand towel dispensers that compact the towels to maximize space and dispense only the necessary amount, reducing waste by up to 50%. Facility managers can also explore products with sustainable packaging, such as those crafted from renewable and recyclable resources like paper or cardboard. All these decisions help offices show their employees and visitors how seriously they take sustainability and how it is incorporated into the everyday operations of the company.

Maintaining high standards of health and safety is crucial for businesses to thrive, as the public’s expectations in these areas remain elevated. In particular, restrooms undergo close scrutiny and are a key focus for facility managers to uphold exceptional hygiene standards. Return to office initiatives rely heavily on facility managers to get the office experience right: hygiene management plays a crucial part in that.

To learn more, visit www.tork.ca

First Nation to build clean energy facility

Andion, in partnership with Semiahmoo First Nation, is proposing to develop, build, own and operate a commercial scale waste organics-to-renewable natural gas facility.

The Semiahmoo RNG (renewable natural gas) project has moved into the closing phase on the development of a full-scale Anaerobic Digestion facility on Semiahmoo Reserve Lands in Surrey with funding from Natural Resources Canada (NRCan).

The project recently received $14.4 million from NRCan’s Clean Fuels Fund which supports production projects and feasibility studies related to hydrogen and other clean fuels.

“We are very proud to have formed and progressed this very unique partnership with the Semiahmoo First Nation. The facility will be of enormous value to the local communities both environmentally and economically,” said Phillip Abrary, Andion CEO. “The facility will process organic waste from surrounding communities, reducing the waste that would otherwise end up in landfill. The resulting biomethane from the facility is a carbon-negative gas that will be conveyed via existing gas pipelines to power and heat local communities.”

The project will process organic waste from households, multi-family residences and businesses in the surrounding area, and generate RNG, a carbon-negative energy source that can displace fossil fuels customers who receive RNG via FortisBC’s existing distribution network.

The project will offset fossil fuel use, divert organic waste, create jobs and revenue for the Semiahmoo Nation while recycling nutrients back into ecosystems.

“We have carefully and thoughtfully chosen a project that aligns with our core values to preserve and protect the natural environment while bringing economic benefits to the nation,” Semiahmoo Chief Harley Chappell says. “We will be a partner and a co-owner of the project which will be situated on the Semiahmoo lands. This project sets a new precedent in B.C. for environmental stewardship by creating clean, carbon-negative renewable energy.”

Andion, headquartered in Vancouver, has delivered more than 50 biogas facilities over the past two decades.

Vancouver launches program to help finance retrofits

The City of Vancouver has launched the Rental Apartment Retrofit Accelerator (RARA) program to help future-proof existing rental buildings. The new pilot program aims to make the city’s aging residential buildings more resilient to the impacts of climate change, while improving energy efficiency, increasing indoor comfort and decreasing emissions with minimal impacts to tenants.

“Collaborating with other levels of government and partners is key to making housing more resilient to extreme weather events,” said Mayor Ken Sim. “By upgrading our existing rental buildings, we’re prioritizing safety, health and comfort while making Vancouver’s housing stock more energy efficient.”

Funded by the City in partnership with CleanBC and BCHydro, and administered through LandlordBC, the RARA program has $3.5 million in grant funds available for owners of market rental buildings to undertake critical energy retrofit upgrades, including building electrification and fuel-switching using new heat pump technology. Findings from the pilot program will inform future investment in Vancouver’s existing rental stock.

“As the leader in the rental housing sector in BC, LandlordBC is continuing to support both research and practical programs that accelerate building decarbonization and improve the rental housing stock,” said David Hutniak, Chief Executive Officer of LandlordBC. “This program is designed to help us learn how to retrofit apartments to reduce carbon pollution and to provide better, more efficient, and more comfortable homes for residents.”

Anticipated benefits

Retrofitting and electrifying Vancouver’s existing buildings with air source heat pumps will add cooling and create healthier, more comfortable and safer living spaces during extreme heat and forest fire smoke events.
Upgrading space heating, water heating and ventilation to low carbon and more energy efficient versions will improve comfort and may reduce operational costs.
Assisting building owners with the tools to plan for other building retrofits and monitoring ongoing energy consumption will support future upgrades.
Technical and administrative support along with clear expectations for landlords to effectively retrofit buildings will minimize impacts on residents and maintain stable tenancies.

“Renovating our existing buildings presents a significant opportunity for climate action, along with many health benefits for residents,” said Sean Pander, Green and Resilient Building Manager. “This program not only supports our goal of cutting carbon pollution from Vancouver’s buildings in half by 2030, compared to 2007 levels, it also makes funds available for necessary upgrades to protect residents from extreme weather and smoke events. We see this pilot as a springboard to a program which serves the retrofit needs of typical rental buildings and their occupants.”

Building owners with market rental apartments located in Vancouver are eligible to apply to the pilot program. Click in the link to learn more about the program and eligibility requirements.

Residential sales in Montreal dipped in June

Residential sales in Montreal reached 3,627 in June 2023, representing a decline of 10 per cent overall compared to the same period last year. According to the Quebec Professional Association of Real Estate Brokers (QPAREB), this low level of sales for a month of June hasn’t occurred since 2015.

“The spring started with a note of optimism for both buyers and sellers since the Bank of Canada had decided to stop raising its key interest rate after nine consecutive rate hikes,” said Charles Brant, QPAREB Market Analysis Director. “Combined with the effect of buyers returning to the market, May saw a significant upturn in transactional activity. While it is true that June usually experiences less sustained transactional activity, a further rise in interest rates and the decline in new listings are sending a negative signal to market participants who could consider postponing their purchase or sale project.

This dampening of market momentum was felt in all categories, including small income properties, which stood out with a 16 per cent drop in transactions. For condominium units, the decline represented 11 per cent for a total of 1,389 completed transactions. Meanwhile, sales of single-family homes dropped to 1,899, a decrease of 8 per cent compared to the same period last year.

The slowdown in transactional activity also resulted in longer average selling times. For small income properties, selling times reached 77 days — 33 days longer than the same period a year ago. Condominiums and single-family homes followed at 53 days and 45 days respectively.

The Montreal CMA, where median prices are the highest in the province, saw the most decline in sales activity for June. Vaudreuil-Soulanges, with 146 sales, posted the largest drop at 28 per cent. Laval followed with 336 transactions, representing a decline of 20 per cent. The sectors of the Island of Montreal (1,327 sales), the North Shore (840 sales), Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu (98 sales) and the South Shore (880 sales) experienced slightly less marked respective decreases of 10 per cent, 8 per cent, 7 per cent and 6 per cent.

Notably, active listings across all property types recorded an increase during the month of June, and according to QPAREB, the inventory of available properties was stable compared to May.

Read the full update at: Accueil – APCIQ – Site web

Ontario extends deadline for energy/water data

The deadline to submit consumption data to Ontario’s energy and water reporting and benchmarking program has been extended to October 31 to help accommodate a large new cohort of participants in 2023. This year sees the final phase of designated reporters — owners/managers of commercial and multifamily buildings in the range of 50,000 to 99,999 square feet — join the exercise that was first launched in 2018.

The extension provides an extra four months to submit 2022 energy and water consumption data. Ontario’s Ministry of Energy announced the adjustment in a June 28 memo, but noted that building owners/managers were still encouraged to “take all reasonable steps” to comply with the conventional July 1 deadline.

“The Ministry will accept the 2022 reporting year data until October 31, 2023, to allow new reporters more time to gather data and to increase their comfort with the reporting process,” the memo states.

Under the original stipulations of the provincial regulation, owners/managers of buildings in the range of 50,000 to 99,999 square feet were slated to begin participating in 2020 — just one year after owners/managers of buildings ranging from 100,000 to 249,999 square feet began submitting information. However, that requirement was amended in early 2020 to grant three more years of reprieve.

Avoid cross-contamination in your facility

As the pandemic continues to influence how, when, and where we clean, cross-contamination remains a top priority among maintenance managers and commercial cleaners. The practices and procedures we once used may not be adequate by today’s standards, so take a look at your cleaning plan to determine if you are sanitizing as effectively as you need to be.

Cross-contamination can compromise the health of the people in your building, spreading germs, viruses, and bacteria. Practice the safest cleaning you can by lowering the chance of cross-contamination.

There are several steps you can take to minimize the risk of cross-contamination in your facility:

Clean in the right order. Cleaning and then disinfecting will maximize the effects of your efforts, removing the dirt from the area before sanitizing.
Identify “hot spots,” or high-traffic areas where there may be a higher risk for contamination, and give those areas extra attention.
You may want to create a system with colour coding to indicate where high-risk or high-traffic areas are so you can be specific with your cleaning strategy for each area.
Use the appropriate amount of cleaning product. Using too much can inhibit the cloth from latching onto germs, spreading them rather than removing them from the area.
If you are using products that require dilution, be sure to follow all instructions exactly, including the recommended dwell time, which is required for the product to be able to effectively kill pathogens.
Create simple processes, with easy-to-follow instructions to train your team to follow the protocols that best avoid cross-contamination. Everyone needs to be on the same page so that cleaning remains consistent and safe for everyone in your building.
Conduct an audit of all your tools to determine whether they can be improved to increase sanitization. Things like string mops or single mop buckets need to be upgraded to make cleaning safer and more hygienic. Consider switching to HEPA filters, flat mops, and more.
Similarly, keep your janitor’s closet or equipment storage neat and tidy so that dirty and clean tools are separated, and it is easy to access the tools you need when you need them.

We’ve heard a lot about hand hygiene in the last few years, but keeping it top of mind for staff and visitors will also help to stop the spread of germs on surfaces. Creating a strategy of best practices to reduce the risk of cross-contamination will keep your building clean, people safe, and your business running.

B.C. scholarship launched for electrical apprentices

The Construction Foundation of BC (CFBC) and the Electrical Contractors Association of British Columbia (ECABC) have announced the creation of the ECABC Jack Funk Scholarship, providing financial support to electrical apprentices in British Columbia.

The scholarship honours the memory of Jack Funk, a long-time electrical contractor and leader in British Columbia. Funk ran his electrical contracting business for 45 years and served as President of ECABC from 1994-96. The scholarship reflects his commitment to training and supporting future generations of electrical apprentices and contractors.

“Providing financial and educational supports to electrical apprentices is an important action for ECABC to encourage the next generation of electrical workers,” said Derek Fettback, chair of ECABC and vice president of Western Pacific Enterprises. “An electrical apprenticeship is a great way to gain experience and make money while pursuing an education and developing your skills.”

Registered apprentices enrolled in years 1-4 of their electrical apprenticeship and employed by an ECABC contractor member can apply for the scholarship. They must be receiving their electrical apprenticeship training through an approved B.C. training institution. There are six individual $1,000 scholarships available, including:

Three for electrical apprentices in Metro Vancouver.
One for electrical apprentices on Vancouver Island.
One for electrical apprentices in the interior and Northern B.C. regions.
One for a line technician apprentice.

The successful candidates will be selected by a panel comprised of ECABC board members and staff, following a review process and recommendations from the CFBC.

“There has never been a better time for young people to pursue a career in the electrical trades,” said Matt MacInnis, ECABC president. “ECABC’s members and their employees are making remarkable contributions to building B.C.’s sustainable future – from constructing new hospitals, to building world-class clean energy projects, to supporting the creation of new homes, and installing the infrastructure needed to power electric vehicles.”

Housing and healthcare under one roof

In a city lacking affordable housing and access to family physicians and quality healthcare for all, one condo project is setting out to combine these uses under one roof through an innovative model that serves the surrounding communities.

On a 3.5-acre site at 1635 Lawrence Ave West and Black Creek Drive in Toronto, Spotlight Development intends to transform a strip mall into The Inclusive, a four-tower development of 15 to 35 storeys. The project, currently awaiting approval, will include a mix of 60 to 70 per cent affordable units and 30 to 35 per cent market-rate units, a 24-hour daycare, retail, employment services, on-the-job training and schooling programs embedded into the project, and a 100,000-square-foot medical centre.

For people in the area who lack a family or referring physician, the facility will deliver health services, including urgent care, a diagnostic centre, mental health supports and a pharmacy for those without transportation to access medications. Addressing women’s health concerns is also part of the conversation.

The exact same healthcare-housing model is being repeated in a condo development at Courtland Avenue East near Block Line Road in Kitchener-Waterloo, which is fully approved and zoned. The plan for that 6.5-acre site shows four residential towers with more than 2000 units, 60 per cent affordable and 40 per cent market-rate.

Sherry Larjani, president of Spotlight Development, has been involved in many other residential projects that offer diverse and inclusive communities. She says the vision for adding a medical centre comes from extensive research into the underserved communities around the sites.

The data revealed healthcare-related factors that hadn’t been considered, from families with children on the autism spectrum who are either waiting for a diagnosis or resources, to an elderly population in need of mental health supports. These groups benefit from early intervention, which is often delayed due to access and financial instability.

“How do we help them so they can get the services that they need and take the burden off of our healthcare system?” Larjani posed during a phone interview. “Future problems could multiply if these problems are not addressed early on. We think of this as a solution to many problems our healthcare system is currently dealing with.

“On the other side, we also think about it as housing providers. We can offer incentives to the people who would be working within these healthcare components of our projects.”

The Toronto iteration of The Inclusive features four residential towers and mid-rise buildings. Photo by Spotlight Development.

Workers would be offered housing and subsidized units so they’re giving back to the communities they are living in. As immigration soars to unprecedented levels, the workforce-housing aspect is also geared to Canada’s many newcomers, including youth, who will be living within the towers.

“The training and schooling programs would be PSW workers or nurses, where we can train families or youth living within our community and then take them into a project and give them jobs at different locations,” says Larjani.

“So, it will all be feeding each other, but also benefiting the youth living in transitional housing who are going to be needing jobs and education.”

Spotlight has partnered with various non-profit agencies for both projects. Government approvals and finding the right mix of stakeholders is integral to providing the proper services. The KW project involves Habitat for Humanity Waterloo Region, Trillium Housing and Good Shepherd Ministries, which already focuses on mental health support for the elderly.

These groups will all help deliver the affordable housing portion geared for low-to-moderate income families, seniors, newcomers and various underserved groups. “Veterans are still dealing with PTSD and other matters, so we are going to be working with providers on the veterans side to offer the right healthcare directed to those groups,” says Larjani.

Feature photo: At the Kitchener-Waterloo site where The Inclusive will rise with the same healthcare model envisioned for the Toronto project. From left is Sherry Larjani and Habitat for Humanity Waterloo Region CEO Philip Mills. Photo by Eventgraphers.

Construction begins on FRAME in Vancouver

Construction work began on FRAME, one of two new concrete projects that will bring 217 homes to Vancouver’s Kingsway and Earles Street. The condo is located in what is regarded as the most connected corridor in the city, with a short walk from major emerging rapid-transit hubs.

As Metro Vancouver expects to reach 3.8 million inhabitants by 2050, the Metro 2050 plan primarily emphasizes the necessity for homes in neighbourhoods that are conveniently close to rapid transit systems and urban centres.

FRAME will be a mix of new commercial ownership and homeownership opportunities, with one, two, and three-bedroom residences located near the 29th Avenue Skytrain Station, Queen Elizabeth Park and Trout Lake,

“We see the long-term potential of the Norquay Village Neighbourhood Centre Plan and evolution of the Kingsway Corridor,” Brendan Yee, director of development at Peterson Group noted in a press release last week. “The vibrancy of the neighbourhood is what gets us most excited as FRAME is located at the centre of an evolving new retail hub and future community plaza.”

Spanning over the East and West towers, FRAME includes homes ranging from 515 to 1,127 square feet to meet the spatial needs of a variety of new families. Designed by GBL Architects, the condo’s ‘frame’ architecture seamlessly transitions into its interiors, where contrasting materials are found throughout.

There will be a wide range of building amenities, including two rooftop green space patios, a four-season entertainment lounge, a dining terrace with mountain views, and a cardio and strength training studio. At ground level, a collection of strata retail and commercial business spaces will further add to the community.

HCMA appoints new associate principals

Interdisciplinary design firm HCMA has appointed Aiden Callison, Ali Kenyon, and Darin Harding to the new roles of associate principal.

For Callison, Kenyon and Harding, the new associate principal role will involve broadened participation in the firm’s strategic direction, increasing the diversity of voices that inform HCMA’s efforts to maximize social impact.

Aiden Callison is an Indigenous architect who brings a perspective that is essential to advancing reconciliation in the work that HCMA does with an extensive history of co-creation and collaboration amongst communities on the projects he leads.
Ali Kenyon contributes an interdisciplinary lens to all projects through the integration of placemaking, inclusive design, and communication design, blazing new trails on projects that veer boldly off the beaten path.
Darin Harding leads the delivery of high-performance sport and recreation focused facilities that are inclusive to community members with varying needs and desires.

Not only does the new role recognize the outstanding contribution of these three individuals, it also creates future advancement opportunities for leaders without architectural backgrounds to participate at the principal level within the firm. This move reinforces the firm’s commitment to interdisciplinary impact.

“I’ve had the pleasure of witnessing the significant growth and vital role that Aiden, Ali, and Darin have played since they each joined the firm and carved a path forward. With this announcement, the principals and I recognize the contributions they’ve made, and our faith in them as current and future leaders,” said Darryl Condon, managing principal.

“With our sights set far ahead, it is important that we make decisions now that empower the next generation of HCMA, while increasing the diversity of voices that guide both the delivery of projects and the broader direction of the firm. Through this, we place our best foot forward in our collective effort to make a difference to the issues that matter.”

The announcement comes as the firm reaches its 46 year milestone.

Heritage properties on 125th birthday wish list

Local councils and residents throughout Saskatchewan are urged to identify heritage properties within their communities leading up to the province’s 125th birthday in 2030. The provincial government has launched a campaign to add 125 designated sites to its roster of buildings and landmarks that have played a role in Saskatchewan’s history.

“Heritage allows us to touch the past and embrace the future, to understand who we are as a province and people. Through the 125 for 125 Initiative, we want to work with communities to preserve and protect these places for our future generations,” says Laura Ross, the provincial Minister of Parks, Culture and Sport Minister.

Currently, there are more than 800 locally designated heritage properties throughout the province, but they are located in fewer than half of all municipalities. Although local councils must pass a bylaw to formally convey a designation, interested parties can put forward candidates. In 2020, the provincial government published a guide to help steer community groups and local governments through the process.

Designations can recognize a relatively broad range of heritage elements or characteristics, including: age, architecture and/or aesthetic details; serving as a venue for a historic or culturally important event; playing a role in the community’s social, economic, political or industrial history; or connections to notable individuals or organizations.

BOMEX 2026

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