Factors to consider when outsourcing your security

The security industry continues to evolve and grow with innovation and technology allowing facility managers to engage experts, save money, and increase efficiency. Globally, businesses spent 75.2 billion dollars in outsourced security last year, with the worldwide information security market expected to reach over 366 billion dollars by 2028.

When outsourcing your security, before you decide on the best fit for you, there are some factors to take into consideration.

Company size

The size of your company and the type of business you have may impact your decision-making. For example, are you looking for cameras, personnel, or something more elaborate? Do you have many entry points that need to be addressed? Try and narrow down your needs as the first step in the process.

The size of their business matters, too. Consider the size of the security company you want to engage. Smaller companies may have less staff to be able to attend to your needs, but larger companies often carry more overhead and a heftier bill.

Technology tools

Security has evolved to include real-time data about your property. Consider what type of reporting, storage, and access you need for the data gathered by your security firm. Ensure that everything is mobile-accessible and stored securely in the cloud. Part of outsourcing security means that you depend on them to provide the data you need, as soon as you need it.

Planned procedures

Planning ahead is key. Choose a company that has procedures in place to address issues or breaches. What resources will you need to manage that, contain it, and prevent it from happening in the future?

Look to your security company to help you develop an incident response system to address these concerns before they happen.

Pricing models

Companies will quote on a variety of services, so you won’t always be comparing apples to apples. Look carefully at the pricing models. Keep in mind that security services often include budget items like software updates, hardware, cost of licenses, and more, so calculate all the costs before making your decision. Also, if you have unique or specialized needs, be sure to communicate those so your quote is customized just for you.

Once you’ve decided to outsource the security for your building, asking the right questions and taking all the above factors into consideration will help you make the right choice for your business.

B.C. transportation contractors honoured

Top contractors responsible for B.C.’s transportation and infrastructure projects were recognized with Contractor of the Year Awards 2022.

The awards recognizes contractors for their outstanding achievement and commitment to the development and promotion of a culture of excellence in the road building industry.

Workplace Health and Safety
Yellowhead Road & Bridge (Vanderhoof) Ltd.
Underbody Blade Slide System for Snowplows

Changing plow blades can present workers with an uncomfortable environment and a potential for soft tissue and pinch point injuries. Yellowhead developed an engineered (patent pending) design for quick and safe blade changes which has the potential to significantly reduce worker injuries.

Bridges and Structures
Dorosh Construction Ltd.
Chehalis River Bridge

This project consisted of the construction of a 96-metre-long three-span bridge with steel girders including almost a kilometre of new two-lane roadway realignment on the downstream side of an existing single-lane bridge which was replaced by the new bridge.

Grading
Emil Anderson Construction (EAC) Inc.
Trans-Canada Highway 1 – Illecillewaet Four Laning

The scope of work for this project included two kilometres of four-laning on Highway 1, 7 kilometres east of Albert Canyon Hot Springs, and an expanded brake check for westbound commercial vehicles. Construction occurred in rugged, mountainous terrain, with a constrained work right-of-way with upslope mountains, downslope rail and river, and consistent high volume summer traffic on Highway 1.

Paving
O.K. Industries Ltd.
Road Resurfacing of Highway 19A Phase 2 (Nanaimo area) from Turner Road to Mary Ellen Drive

This project consisted of base repairs followed by a 50 millimetre asphalt overlay, removal of vegetated median and replacement with barrier and intersection improvements at Aulds Road and Dickinson Road. O.K. Industries completed this project during night shifts in an urban environment with heavy traffic volumes from the local community, commercial vehicles and tourists.

Community Service
Mainroad Mid-Island Contracting LP
Orange Bridge Project

The Riverbend Bridge in Port Alberni is known locally as the Orange Bridge.
The bridge was painted in a silver undercoat in the mid-1990s. After hearing from residential school survivors, the Tseshaht First Nation indicated they would like support to return the bridge to its original orange as a reminder of the community’s painful past, as well as a symbol of their resilience. Mainroad Mid-Island contractors approached their leadership to offer their support by acquiring the paint and supplies and developing a traffic management plan to successfully execute the project.

Road and Bridge Maintenance
Mainroad Lower Mainland Contracting LP
Service Area 6 – Lower Mainland

Mainroad is responsible for approximately 1,525 kms of roadway including 626 structures including bridges, retaining walls, culverts, and sign structures. Located in Surrey’s Cloverdale community with supporting facilities in Delta and Langley, Mainroad rises to a myriad of road maintenance challenges including communications, traffic monitoring and control, ferry and port terminals, international border crossings, freeways, major bridges, swing bridges and HOV lanes.

Cost-sharing builds scale to reclaim edible food

Calgary businesses are invited to participate in a new pilot program to reclaim edible food their property users have cast away. The not-for-profit Leftovers Foundation and the waste handling contractor Bluplanet Recycling will work with the City of Calgary to implement the program, which has previously been successfully tested in Ontario in the city of Guelph and its surrounding Wellington County.

Working together and providing a larger economy of scale for participating businesses, the three partners expect to reduce the costs of food recovery and organics recycling programs. The Circular Innovation Council — a national not-for-profit organization with a 40-year track record of programming and public awareness campaigns related to the 3Rs and resource conservation — devised the approach, which recently received an international award for results achieved in Guelph/Wellington County.

The program offers a platform for cooperative cost-sharing, and is also a finalist in the Canadian government’s Food Waste Reduction Challenge. The two service providers will ensure that edible food can be redirected to where it will be consumed and other organic waste is appropriately collected and recycled, while participating businesses realize reductions in greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions.

“We know that affordability is one of the barriers limiting business and organization organics diversion,” acknowledges Kayley Fesko, a waste diversion specialist with the City of Calgary. “This pilot has shown promising results in other jurisdictions. We are excited to be able to invite businesses and institutions in Calgary to get involved.”

“We look forward to testing the transferability of the pilot model in Calgary and hope this leadership inspires similar expansions in other jurisdictions across Canada,” says Jo-Anne St. Godard, executive director of the Circular Innovation Council.

Surging demand leads to tightening of rental market

Despite a marked increase in rental supply in most large cities, surging demand pushed the national vacancy rate for purpose-built rental apartments down from 3.1 per cent to 1.9 per cent in 2022, according to the latest Rental Market Report from CMHC. This represents Canada’s lowest vacancy rate since 2001, reflecting widespread tightening across the country, including in Canada’s three largest rental markets of Montréal, Vancouver, and Toronto.

The surge in rental housing demand in the country reflected higher net migration and homeownership costs. Higher mortgage rates, which drove up already-elevated costs of homeownership, made it harder and less attractive for renters to make the transition.

“Lower vacancy rates and rising rents were a common theme across Canada in 2022. This caused affordability challenges for renters, especially those in the lower income ranges, with very few units in the market available in their price range,” said Bob Dugan, CMHC’s chief economist. “The current conditions reinforce the urgent need to accelerate housing supply and address supply gaps to improve housing affordability for Canadians, as stated in our report: Housing Shortages in Canada: Solving the Affordability Crisis.”

The overall average rent growth for two-bedroom purpose-built apartments common to 2021 and 2022 surveys was 5.6 per cent. This is a new annual high, well above average rent growth recorded between 1990 and 2022. Higher rent growth for two-bedroom purpose-built rents was widespread across Canada.

New data also indicates that the average rent growth for two-bedroom units that turned over to a new tenant was well above rent growth for units without tenant turnover (18.3% vs. 2.9%). This increased affordability challenges faced by renters trying to enter the market or find new housing.

Meanwhile, rental condominiums accounted for 19.3 per cent of the total stock of rental units across major centres. In Vancouver, Calgary and Toronto, more than a third of all rental supply are rental condominiums. While overall rental condo supply increased by 7.2 per cent in 2022, the average vacancy rate for these units remained low at 1.6 per cent (compared to 1.8 per cent in 2021).

Report highlights:

The primary rental apartment vacancy rate in Toronto fell to 1.7% in 2022, from 4.4% the previous year. Fewer disruptions to economic activity and immigration in 2022 resulted in a surge in rental demand.
Strong demand in the Montreal rental market pushed the vacancy rate down from 3.7% in 2021 to 2.3% in 2022. Rent increases were also significant, especially for renters who moved.
In Vancouver, the vacancy rate decreased from 1.2% in 2021 to 0.9% in 2022. Higher homeownership costs and migration to the region led rental demand to increase faster than supply.
With Calgary’s economy growing beyond pre-pandemic levels, the rental market tightened to conditions not seen since Alberta’s last economic boom. Overall vacancy rate dropped to 2.7% (from 5.1% in 2021), the lowest since 2014.
A strong economic rebound and record migration flows in Edmonton contributed to rental demand outpacing new rental supply in 2022. The purpose-built rental apartment vacancy rate was 4.3% in October 2022, down from 7.3% in October 2021.
In Ottawa, strong demographic and economic conditions supported rental demand and as a result, the vacancy rate dropped from 3.4% in 2021 to 2.1% in 2022. The greatest declines occurred in central neighbourhoods, partly because of the return of post-secondary students.
Record high supply growth has helped alleviate rental market tightness, while rising demand has accelerated rent increases in the Victoria rental market. The vacancy rate rose slightly to reach 1.5 % (from 1 % in 2021), mostly from the expansion of the rental apartment stock.
In Hamilton, the vacancy rate for purpose-built rental apartments was the lowest since 2002 at 1.9%. The number of occupied units increased due to more student renters, higher full-time employment and fewer renters transitioning into homeownership.
The vacancy rate in Halifax did not change in 2022, staying at the record low of 1%. The number of rental apartment units increased by 1,348. This was the lowest number of annual rental completions since 2016.
In some of Canada’s largest centres, rented condominiums can be a driver of rental markets. Vancouver was the leader (with 42.5% of its rental stock made up of condominiums), followed by Calgary (37.5%) and Toronto (34%). Centres in Quebec generally reported smaller shares, including Montréal at 6.7%.
The average rent for a 2-bedroom rental condominium apartment saw a significant increase to $1,930 from $1,771, about 9% year-over-year.

You can download the complete Rental Market Report from the CMHC website.

ASHRAE 90.1 takes on expanded name and mandate

An expanded name signifies one of several new energy efficiency measures introduced with the latest update to ASHRAE’s widely referenced Standard 90.1. The newly released 2022 version is now known as the Energy Standard for Sites and Buildings Except Low-Rise Residential Buildings to capture energy use or generation — such as parking lot lighting or renewable generation equipment — associated with a building’s operations, but outside its enclosure.

“On-site renewables could count as credits towards energy usage across the entire building project, even if located in a parking lot or other on-site location, not only with in the footprint of the building,” explains Don Brundage, chair of the ASHRAE committee overseeing the standard’s development.

That’s potentially a key qualification for building designers, developers and owners since the updated standard prescribes on-site renewable generation for most new buildings or major additions. Along with traditional instructions for six major building systems or energy-consuming elements — building envelope, HVAC, service water heating, power, lighting, and other equipment — the updated standard also introduces a new section of additional requirements, termed energy credits.

“A new energy credits requirement has been added that enables approximately 4 per cent to 5 per cent cost-effective energy savings through 33 different energy-saving measures,” the foreword to the 2022 edition states. “The number of required credits varies by building type and climate zone.”

Some of the new requirements for the building envelope include: new directives related to thermal bridging; a mandate for whole-building air-tightness testing in structures smaller than 25,000 square feet; and solar reflectance performance comparable to high-albedo roofs for the walls of buildings in the hottest climate zone (zone 0), which encompasses cities such as Mumbai, Jakarta and Abu Dhabi.

Other new requirements are in line with steady advancements in lighting and heat recovery technology and improvements in HVAC and other kinds of mechanical equipment since the 2019 version of the standard was released.

“We are continuing to improve efficiency and reduce energy use through updates to Standard 90.1, meeting the needs of the design community and keeping Standard 90.1 pertinent, as demand grows for reduced energy use and carbon emissions,” Brundage asserts.

Broadway subway tunnel boring hits new milestone

The Broadway Subway Project in Vancouver hit a new milestone with the first of two tunnel-boring machines (TBMs) breaking through to the future Mount Pleasant Station site.

The custom-built 150-metre-long tunnel boring machine, named Elsie after B.C. born aircraft designer Elizabeth MacGill, bored a six-metre-wide hole in the station’s east wall.

The Broadway Subway Project will extend the Millennium Line 5.7 kilometres from VCC-Clark Station to West Broadway and Arbutus Street, providing people with fast, convenient SkyTrain service along the Broadway corridor. The corridor is home to B.C.’s second-largest jobs centre, world-class health-care services, an emerging innovation and research hub, and growing residential communities.

The project will result in faster travel, better access and fewer cars on the road in this heavily used corridor. Once in service, the trip from VCC-Clark to Arbutus Station will take 11 minutes, saving the average transit commuter almost 30 minutes a day and relieving congestion along Broadway.

Progress continues to be made on the project. The second TBM, named Phyllis after well-known B.C. naturalist and mountain climber Phyllis Munday, began excavating on Nov. 29, 2022. Phyllis is expected to arrive at Mount Pleasant Station this spring. Each machine will take approximately one year to journey from Great Northern Way-Emily Carr Station to Cypress Street near the future Arbutus Station.

On other parts of the project, the 21 columns for the guideway between VCC-Clark Station and the future Great Northern Way-Emily Carr Station are nearing completion. Installation of girders for the track will begin this spring. Excavation and construction of the station foundations continue at the Broadway-City Hall, Oak-VGH, South Granville and Arbutus station sites in preparation for TBM arrivals.

The line is scheduled to open in 2026. Acciona and Ghella are delivering the Broadway Subway Project.

Tools for effective project management

Data analytics is proving highly valuable for the construction industry, and it is utilized more and more in the face of budgeting issues, cost management and poor planning which have dogged the industry for decades. Here are seven types of data analytics for the effective management of construction projects.

Risk analysis

Risk analysis is critical for construction project management and is top of the list of things to consider. When managing all aspects of planning, monitoring, operations, and delivery, risk analysis is vital for estimating future asset gains, outcomes and possible complications. It provides the tools and the technology to consolidate and predict risk, make accurate estimates, and gather data in real time. Plus, quality risk analysis enables investors to make critical decisions on current and future projects.

Predictive analytics

Predicting the myriad of factors related to construction projects can make the endeavour challenging. There’s all manner of factors to consider – project type, complexity, location of site, the interplay of technical elements, and the number of stakeholders. Digital tools for risk analysis use probability approaches and these predictive tools can offer valuable insights for stakeholders, allowing them to act pertinently regarding existing and future projects. “This kind of predictive analysis means collecting huge amounts of data on jobsites in real-time is a game-changer for the construction industry,” says James Smith, a business writer at British essay writers and Paper Fellows, “meaning that multiple scenarios can be predicted with the data gathered, and costs, estimates and outcomes can all be tweaked accordingly.”

Warranty analysis

Warranty data analysis is the one sure-fire way to keep a building operation on track by studying the data from previously failed projects as well as a multitude of competing external factors. Warranty analysis aids in avoiding complications pertaining to well-being on site, client satisfaction, and, most importantly, safety measures during the project’s construction. Special conditions can then be put in place to fulfil the provisions of the warranty.

The tracking of construction equipment and assets

Asset management and tracking analytics are vital for construction project managers as they keep in place the time-efficiency of all projects and operations. Problems can arise with delays in the delivery of machinery and materials, and schedules can be undone by delays and failures in contractual obligations regarding vehicles and hired equipment. Andrew Mulholland, a technical writer at Boom Essays and State of writing review, says, “Asset management and real-time tracking technology can address all these issues and arrest any problems, with 24/7 monitoring and the management of all resources and staff working on a particular project.”

Optimization of the building process

Profit margins are vital for all construction project management teams. How time, money, and labour are tracked as part of the building process is absolutely crucial, so intuitive, measurable, attainable, time-sensitive and reasonable systematic processes are needed in order to collect data throughout the build, to improve outcomes and meet goals.

Optimizing contractor’s performance

The performance of contractors is crucial, and it can be tracked by integrated management software, so the performance level can be assessed and sifted through for future improvements. It is also preferable to relying on contractors themselves for reports, for obvious reasons.

Construction robotics

Automation is becoming more and more prevalent in labour and construction. This includes construction robots, printing robots, 3D brick-laying and masonry printing, masonry, autonomous vehicles, demolition robots, and many others. They speed up design processes and build times and AI-generated software and tools can only lead to further efficiency for construction projects, as their activity is automatically tracked and monitored.

Data analytics and its supporting technology are increasingly playing an important role in the construction industry and is revolutionizing it day by day, project by project. As we’ve seen above, with our seven markers, it offers valuable new opportunities to contractors, sharpening and refining project management, shortening the length of projects, and reducing costs. Data analytics are building blocks that provide firm foundations for every construction project.

Rebecca Leigh is a writer on marketing strategy for Essay help and UK Writings. She contributes to tech and marketing conferences, is a business consultant, and writes articles for online magazines and blogs like OX Essays.

Calgary student wins NKBA design competition

Beatriz Hernandez, a recent graduate from the Calgary Bow Valley College, has been awarded first place in the National Kitchen and Bath Association (NKBA) Student Design Competition.

Hernandez’s recommendations for a kitchen remodel stood out among dozens of applicants in Canada and the United States, securing the top prize.

“I couldn’t believe it. It is an honour to be recognized for something I’m passionate about and that I put a lot of passion into,” she says. “I wanted to provide the clients with a beautiful and functional renovation that will work for them now and in the future. I put together a construction plan and design statement that offers a combination of meeting personal tastes and needs and timeless finishes that will add to the value of their home.”

Hernandez graduated from Bow Valley College in December 2022 with a Kitchen and Bath Design Post-Diploma Certificate. An international student from the Dominican Republic, she chose the program to supplement her degree in architecture, expanding her expertise in residential interior design. She gained practical experience with Krista Hermanson Design in Calgary, where she is now working full-time as a designer assistant.

“Beatriz’s award-winning achievement is an inspiration for all aspiring students in our program,” says Alison Anderson, dean of Business, Technology and the Centre for Entertainment Arts, Bow Valley College. “This post-diploma certificate is a great fit for people like Beatriz, looking for additional specialized credentials and an opportunity for experiential learning. We are thrilled to see her take top honours in this competition and look forward to her journey as an emerging professional in the design industry.”

The NKBA Prairie Provinces Chapter will honour Hernandez at a lecture at Bow Valley College on Thursday, January 26, 2023. Her award includes a $5,000 scholarship and an all-expenses paid trip to Las Vegas for the annual Kitchen and Bath Industry Show (KBIS), the largest trade show of its kind in the world.

A path to barrier-free buildings: Facility assessments and strategic accessibility plans

A pressing issue facing facility managers across all building types is the crucial impact that barrier-free accessibility can have on a strategic renewal plan—one created from the risk management assessment.

Accessibility is a human rights issue, which stands to reason why it’s an integral part of the Ontario Integrated Accessibility Regulations (IASR). Those with accessibility challenges have the right to work, live and enjoy life with the rest of us. Removing barriers is also deeply entrenched in provincial building codes and various provincial accessibility legislation. Would it not also stand to reason that businesses have a duty and responsibility to remove barriers?
In doing so, it is necessary to understand how we have socially tied the need for barrier-free access to an “aging population.”

In part this is true. As Baby Boomers and Gen-Xers continue to age, many of facilities have fallen behind in making suitable changes. In reality, the needs may be physical, mental, emotional, socioeconomic, cultural or language based—none of which are solely tied to one generation.

This limited view is changing.

Definition of a disability clarified

Language matters when discussing disabilities. According to The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, “A disability is any condition of the body or mind (impairment) that makes it more difficult for the person with the condition to do certain activities (activity limitation) and interact with the world around them (participation restrictions).”

Every workplace should focus on becoming barrier-free. Free of impairments, activity limitations and participation restrictions. No other definition or explanation is needed.
However, disability advocates continue to highlight the many barriers that persist. In a 2021 study from the non-profit Angus Reid Institute in partnership with the Rick Hansen Foundation, those living with disabilities face barriers when trying to enter the workforce and encounter further challenges if hired. These range from inaccessible workplaces to not being provided with the appropriate tools for the job.

As conscious consumerism continues to grow, 62 per cent of Canadians said they would be more likely to give their business to an organization or company that has specific policies to support those living with disabilities.

Priority of service

“Once you start thinking about who I want to serve, rather than who I want to be, you have taken the first step to becoming a positive leader who makes a real impact on others.” – Jean-Philippe Courtois.

As facility managers, we are aware that we not only serve the customer but also our staff and coworkers. All building code accessibility requirements are specifically created to remove as many barriers as possible, considering the physical, mental, developmental or other health conditions that can interfere with many or all daily activities.

Not all existing building conditions should be considered a barrier. Stairs are not a barrier to persons with hearing impairment. To persons with partial or full vision impairment, they are no longer a barrier if the tread edge of stairs and railings are marked with contrasting colours.
If the path to a barrier-free facility can be addressed with simple, cost-effective solutions, we are making progress. Where that is not physically possible, institute an improvement plan, training and policy to address.

Emergency preparedness and response

Anyone can experience an access or functional need at any time. A broken leg requiring crutches is a health condition that is disabling. It can create a temporary disability that changes your response to an emergency, for example.

People with access and functional needs and anyone assisting or working with them should create a risk management plan. Addressing these potential challenges ahead of time will reduce the physical and emotional stresses during an emergency. This is the core of a comprehensive risk management program where every facility manager has a key role.

The challenge for facility managers is to look at typical building elements in a new way. Accessibility barriers to customers and coworkers may be some traditional design elements such as full-height glass entrance doors without markings, or lack of high contrast colour difference between walls and floors. Working towards a barrier-free facility could be a great real estate leasing plus, adding value to the service you provide.

Arnie Wohlgemut is the senior consultant and president of KP Mylene & Associates, a facilities management consulting and leadership development company. He is a facility accessibility expert and is passionate about supporting facility managers to become successful leaders within their organizations.

Biden-Harris tenant protections applauded by AG coalition

A coalition of nine U.S. attorneys general released a statement applauding the Biden-Harris administration’s new plan to protect tenants, strengthen fair housing laws, and expand access to affordable housing. The steps align with the government’s Blueprint for a Renters Bill of Rights, which lays out a set of principles to drive action by the federal government, state, local partners, and the private sector to strengthen tenant protections and encourage rental affordability.

“Once again, the Biden-Harris administration has made clear that supporting hardworking Americans and ensuring that we all are equally protected under the law are top priorities,” said New York Attorney General Letitia James on behalf of the coalition. “Too many people across the country are facing record-high housing costs, and families are struggling to find safe and affordable housing. Today’s announcement is a comprehensive plan that will address many of the challenges that people are facing every day and will help strengthen our ability to regulate and enforce fair housing laws and confront the other systemic issues that prevent people from finding a home. We look forward to continuing our work with our partners at the local, state, and federal level to ensure that no one is discriminated against or taken advantage of as they seek this most basic life necessity.”

James has been on a mission to protect tenant rights in her jurisdiction since December 2019, when she launched a successful investigation into housing discrimination practices at multiple Long Island brokerages. In addition, she has taken action against landlords that violated lead protection laws, putting tenants, and especially children, at risk. She has also been committed to preserving and expanding affordable housing throughout New York state.

Joining Attorney General James in issuing this statement are Arizona Attorney General Kris Mayes, Connecticut Attorney General William Tong, Delaware Attorney General Kathy Jennings, Massachusetts Attorney General Andrea Joy Campbell, Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel, Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison, Oregon Attorney General Ellen Rosenblum, and District of Columbia Attorney General Brian Schwalb.

Find out more about the Biden-Harris administration’s housing protection plan here:www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/statements

CCA concerned about shortage of workers

A shortage of skilled construction workers is causing concerns for the local construction industry, according to the Calgary Construction Association (CCA).

Despite a growing demand for new homes and construction projects, both commercial and residential builders are struggling to find enough workers to keep up with the pace of development.

The shortage is being attributed to several factors, including strong demand for record migration to the region, an aging workforce, and a lack of young people entering the industry. Many experienced construction workers have also retired or left the industry, leaving a gap in the labour market.

“This is an issue that we have been bracing for, over recent years, if not decades,” said Bill Black, CCA president. “Our concern is that this year and in the near future, the skilled worker shortage will become a key issue.”

The association estimates that there are between 3,000-4,000 construction job vacancies in the Calgary region alone. Nationally, the number of construction job vacancies is estimated at 93,000.

“This is a problem that not only affects Calgary and Alberta but Canada as a whole,” said Black. “The Calgary region isn’t just competing with the rest of Alberta for talent, but the entire Country.”

The lack of workers impacts the completion schedules of new homes and infrastructure projects, which drives up costs for builders, consumers, and owners.

Construction employers are stepping up to the challenge on an industry scale, but despite this, the situation is expected to worsen unless significant steps are taken to address the shortage of construction workers.

The association believes that this is a societal problem that requires action from all levels of government, the educational sector, in addition to the industry itself.

Possible solutions include revising outdated accreditation recognition for newcomers coming to Canada to seek and place high-value-specific skills that are transferable to construction. This means a rework of the immigration points system favour such skills and experience.

The school system needs to reverse a trend over recent years that has reduced junior high and high school student exposure to the trades, and greater funding for post-secondary institutions like SAIT which have the mandate to train the next generation of Alberta’s skilled trades.

Keep your upholstered furniture clean all year

Furniture is an investment, so protect your investment by keeping it in great shape. Upholstered furniture, especially, needs careful handling to avoid wear and tear, gathering dust, and the salt stains we see often in the winter.

Give your upholstered furniture a longer life by taking care of it with these maintenance tips:

Remove dust

While vacuuming is often reserved for winter carpet care, it’s an effective tool for upholstered furniture, too, removing dust and dirt that can wear away the fabric. Using a clean, dry bristle attachment will help to remove any dirt and debris that could shorten your furniture’s life.

Often, furniture cleaning is limited to when it looks dirty, but dirt, germs, and bacteria that you don’t see can settle into the furniture, causing disclouration and stains. Set up a schedule to vacuum your upholstery when you do your floors to include it as part of your regular maintenance.

Take care of spills

Accidents happen, and you want to address a stain quickly. Use the manufacturer’s instructions and fabric cleaning code for specific cleaning information. If you see a “w,” it means you can use water to take care of the stain or remove the cushions to wash them in a machine.

The letter “s” means you need to use a non-water-based solvent, like alcohol, to address the stain. In this case, you should spray it lightly and then blot it with something clean and dry to remove the mark.

The letter “x” means that neither is allowed, so in this case, consulting a professional is your best bet.

Practice prevention

If your furniture did not come with a pre-treated fabric protector, consider applying one yourself. Typically, these treatments are inexpensive, involving a simple spray application that protects your furniture by repelling stains and keeping odour out.

Make sure that the spray you choose is right for your furniture type and follow the directions to keep your fabric protected for the length of its life.

Avoid the sun

Sun exposure can cause discolouration in your fabric. Wherever possible, keep furniture out of direct sunlight, or ad window treatments or blinds to protect your furniture.

Rotate cushions

Wear and tear can also look like uneven sagging in your cushions. Preserve their plumpness by rotating and flipping them. This will keep them looking fluffy, keep them out of the sun for too long, and will extend the life of your cushions.

With the proper cleaning and maintenance plan, you can successfully extend the life of your upholstered furniture, protect your investment, and leave a lasting impression on employees and visitors.

BOMA BEST poised to be cross-border benchmark

BOMA BEST is set to become a cross-border benchmark for sustainable building performance through a pending agreement to launch the 18-year-old Canadian certification program in the United States. Representatives from the Building Owners and Managers Association (BOMA) of Canada and U.S.-based BOMA International announced their intent late last week, with the expectation of a formal pact in time for BOMA International’s 2023 Conference & Expo in Kansas City, Missouri, in late June.

The BOMA BEST metric for existing buildings assesses performance in 10 categories related to sustainable management and operations, and translates resulting scores into four levels of levels of certification — certified, silver, gold and platinum — that have become intuitively recognized in the Canadian commercial real estate industry. Certification imparts assurance of third-party verification, while the program, which is soon to introduce version 4.0 of prerequisites and credits, is committed to pushing the sustainable performance bar higher.

“BOMA BEST provides a manager/owner with continuous access to a tool to monitor and measure performance, demonstrate improvement, benchmark and aggregate reporting across all property types,” observes Don Fairgrieve-Park, executive vice president of operational excellence for QuadReal Property Group in Canada and a member of BOMA International’s executive committee.

In the U.S. market, BOMA BEST is projected to be a good fit for BOMA International’s 360 Performance program, which awards the designation to buildings that comply with identified best practices across six broader operational categories. Uptake of the new certification will also create an added revenue stream for BOMA chapters in the U.S.

“It’s going to be a big change for all of us and will have a huge impact on sustainability, frankly, around the world,” maintains Randal Froebelius, the chair of BOMA International.

Reassessment ups NS multifamily property values

Many multifamily landlords in Halifax have seen a jump in their property values with Nova Scotia’s most recent reassessment based on January 2022 market values. Assessment roll analysis from Turner Drake and Partners, an Atlantic Canada based property tax and real estate advisory firm, pegs the average increase at 8.5 per cent, but assessed values rose by at least 10 per cent for 50 per cent of the properties surveyed.

Apartment buildings are taxed at the residential rate, which, for the 2023 tax year, is about 79 per cent lower than the tax rate the Halifax Regional Municipality (HRM) applies on other commercial properties. Even so, multifamily rental and seniors housing properties carry a larger share of the overall residential tax burden because they do not qualify for the assessment capping program HRM introduced for single-family residential properties in 2005.

Looking to other commercial sectors, the assessed value of Halifax industrial property increased by an average of 9 per cent. The year-over-year value increase for office properties averaged 5.4 per cent.

Beyond Halifax regional boundaries, multifamily property values rose an average of 3.7 per cent year-over-year with 25 per cent recording at least a 10 per cent increase in assessed value. Industrial value increases were closer to matching HRM trends, with an average jump of 7.6 per cent. Meanwhile, offices in other parts of the province saw a sharper climb in assessed value, with an average increase of 7.6 per cent.

Harrison Street breaks ground on Calgary rental property

Chicago-based Harrison Street announced it has broken ground on “Block 15”, a multi-unit property targeting young professionals and students in Calgary’s University District. The 300-unit project is being undertaken with Gracorp Properties, and once complete, will be managed by Campus Living Centres. With this acquisition, Harrison Street now owns the two residential assets nearest the University of Calgary campus, a prestigious research university home to more than 35,000 students.

“We are thrilled to expand our presence at the University of Calgary with this investment in Block 15, a luxury development that will be located across the street from our previously acquired asset, ARIA,” said Jonathan Turnbull, Head of Transactions and Business Development, Canada of Harrison Street. “The University District is one of the premier communities in the entire Calgary market and continues to attract new residents at a fast pace. That growth has been coupled with an increased demand for high-quality housing options close to the University’s campus. We believe Block 15 will serve as an attractive housing option to young professionals and students, who will be able to walk to campus or their job and have easy access to food, entertainment, and outdoor space.”

Equipped with high-end, shared facilities and design features such as a gym, keyless entry, communal rooftop patios, a fire pit/grill space, in-suite laundry, indoor lounge space and secure bicycle storage, the building is also on track to achieve the Built Green Gold certification and is expected to exceed the current National Energy Code by 20 per cent in energy and emissions savings.

“Block 15 further reinforces the synergistic partnership between Gracorp and Harrison Street,” said Novy Cheema, Vice President Real Estate, Gracorp Properties. “Gracorp’s experience building industry leading projects coupled with Harrison Street’s proven investment management philosophy provides the right partnership to bring another amenity rich, tenant focused multi-family development to the University District.”

Co-operators earns Zero Carbon Certification for corporate HQ

The new Co-operators head office in Guelph, Ontario has earned Zero Carbon Building – Design Standard certification from the Canada Green Building Council. The building, which is also targeting LEED Gold and WELL Platinum, is under construction and set to open in the summer of 2024.

The all-electric design of the 226,000-square-foot facility will eliminate direct carbon emissions from any onsite source. No retrofits or decarbonization plan will be required as the organization progresses toward its net zero targets.

The design exceeds current code minimums, with 40 per cent greater energy and greenhouse gas savings beyond the Ontario Building Code’s all-electric baseline and 60 per cent heating load reduction that surmounts the code-minimum for new offices.

A 282 kW rooftop solar array will generate about nine per cent of the total annual building energy consumption. Automatic tinting windows will remove glare and further lower consumption.

Other features include a highly insulated and airtight design and high-efficiency water source technology to recover and redistribute heat throughout the building.

Co-operators first became carbon neutral in 2020 and in 2021 announced its target to reach net zero emissions in its operations by 2040. In the interim, by 2030, it aims to reduce its gross operational emissions by 45 per cent through various means such as fleet vehicles and employees commuting and working from home.

“This building is a compelling demonstration of imagination and innovation that will be required as we build for a more sustainable future in Canada,” said Shawn Fitzgerald, vice-president workplace services at Co-operators. “We have an important role to play in mitigating the risks of climate change in a direct and meaningful way, helping move Canada and the world towards a net zero emissions future.”

Vancouver Centre II celebrates completion

Vancouver Centre II (VCII), a 33-storey AAA office tower at 733 Seymour in downtown Vancouver has reached completion.

Located in the new core of the city’s central business district, the Vancouver Centre complex includes VCII, Scotia Tower, and Vancouver Centre Mall. With its central location and its direct, underground connection to two SkyTrain lines, plus superior end-of-trip cycling facilities, EV charging, and Modo cars, VCII is a sustainable transport-supporting new-build office tower.

“With the opening of Vancouver Centre II, we celebrate the evolution of the Vancouver Centre complex into an amenity-rich, spacious, and sustainable office development,” says Glenn Way, executive vice president and CEO, GWL Realty Advisors (GWLRA). “Together with our owners, we built a leading-edge smart and sustainable building that supports forward-thinking organizations that want to provide employees with inviting, engaging and comfortable spaces.”

Vancouver Centre II’s public atrium includes a new work of art from Douglas Coupland

For VCII, developer GWLRA commissioned a work of public art from renowned Vancouver artist, Douglas Coupland. Spawn is a 30-foot stainless steel salmon that swims through the air above VCII’s atrium. Coupland says, “mythologically, fish represent the soul. What is Vancouver’s soul? We are lucky to live in the city we do, but it’s a privilege, not a right to be here. Part of that privilege is a pact between us and nature – that we nurture it alongside our metropolitan lives, and that we never think of ourselves as being the more important side of the equation.”

Tenants have access to first-class amenities, including the 29th Floor Skyline Rooftop Deck and a private, state-of-the-art fitness facility with changerooms, showers, and end-of-trip cycling facilities. The building is dog friendly, and even boasts its own dog park. VCII is connected to Scotia Tower via a stunning public-atrium, to be enjoyed by all and programmed for special events.

Designed by Musson Cattell Mackey Partnership, VCII has been certified as SmartScore Platinum and WiredScore Gold, and the project team is also pursuing WELL Gold certification and LEED Platinum certification. Ledcor was the general contractor.

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