Tackling rodent infestation in facilities

Spring and summer is a common time for facility managers and janitorial staff to discover rodent infestation.

As staff use the warmer weather to clean out storage sheds and other outdoor buildings that have often been closed for the winter, rodent infestation poses a very real risk.

Safety authorities are reminding staff to protect themselves against hantavirus pulmonary syndrome (HPS), a potentially severe viral infection spread by rodents.

HPS, which can cause severe lung disease, commonly spread in the urine, droppings, and saliva of rodents, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

The CDC further advises that the hantavirus family can cause varied disease syndromes in people, and that each hantavirus has a specific rodent host species. It notes the most important hantavirus in the United States that can cause HPS is the Sin Nombre virus which is spread by the deer mouse.

The virus is usually transmitted when someone breathes in air contaminated by the virus or, on rare occasions, is bitten by an infected rodent.

So what can facility managers and staff do to avoid potentially deadly rodent infestation in their buildings?

The CDC offers several tips for cleaning rodent-infested buildings:

Ventilate the building for at least 30 minutes by opening doors and windows
Use wet mopping methods and wear rubber or plastic gloves
Wear goggles and a mask when cleaning a confined space contaminated with rodent droppings
Use a bleach disinfectant to dampen areas contaminated with droppings and remove them with a damp cloth or mop
Steam clean, spray, or shampoo upholstered furniture with a detergent disinfectant or use bleach and water
Wash potentially contaminated clothes and bedding with hot water
Avoid dry cleaning methods, like vacuuming, dusting, sweeping, or air hosing.

Condos anchor affordable recreational property

More prospective buyers are turning to Canada’s cottages, camps and cabins as an antidote to inflationary urban housing prices and a looming second summer of the COVID-19 pandemic. However, condos are entrenched as the most affordable option in what the newly released RE/MAX 2021 Recreational Property Report defines as a seller’s market almost uniformly across 33 prominent vacation areas nationwide.

“There’s intense competition among buyers in Canada’s recreational property markets and inventory is stretched thin,” says Christopher Alexander, chief strategy officer and executive vice president, RE/MAX of Ontario-Atlantic-Canada.

An accompanying survey of property-seekers’ preferences and motives, conducted for RE/MAX, finds that 54 per cent of respondents who are planning to buy a vacation property will be doing so for the first time. More than 20 per cent of prospective buyers report they have been shut out of pricier housing markets in an urban centre, and 22 per cent say low interest rates have increased their ability to buy.

Meanwhile, RE/MAX sales representatives report double-digit growth in average sale values since 2019 for almost every property type in the vast majority of recreational property markets, along with more than a handful of average increases exceeding 100 per cent. In Ontario, three rare examples of declining average sale prices are found exclusively in condominium properties, while stand-alone formats in the same markets — Haliburton County, Niagara Region and Barrie-Innisfil — recorded significant gains.

Indeed, Barrie-Innisfil and Niagara Region rank as Canada’s second and third priciest markets for waterfront properties, albeit trailing a chart-topping average sale price of more than $2.4 million thus far in 2021 in British Columbia’s Central Okanagan. And B.C.’s slopes arise as an even more lucrative attraction. Whistler chalets command an average sales price of nearly $3.7 million, taking title as Canada’s most expensive recreational property.

Looking to more affordable product, Charlottetown, Manitoba’s Interlake Region and Thunder Bay posted the lowest average sale values for waterfront properties last year — all at less than $426,000. No condo prices are cited for Charlottetown or Thunder Bay, but the popular Manitoba vacation area is one of the rare Canadian markets where average condo prices have slipped since 2019, dropping nearly $20,000 to an average sale value of about $111,000 thus far in 2021.

RE/MAX analysts also underscore less disheartening data for the 44 per cent of prospective buyers who hope to acquire a property for $200,000 to $500,000 during the next 12 months. At least one type of vacation property in that price range is currently available in more than half of the markets.

“There are still many recreational markets across Canada that are deemed affordable, despite the growing demand and rising prices,” Alexander maintains.

In Ontario, these include Haliburton, Kenora, Rideau Lake, the Thousand Islands, Windsor Essex and Sudbury/Manitoulin/French River, along with condo properties in Collingwood, Parry Sound and Barrie-Innisfil. Looking east and west, lower priced recreational properties can also be found in the St. Andrews and Halifax regions of Nova Scotia and Sylvan Lake, Alberta, along with condo options in Central and North Okanagan.

Brand new aquatic centre coming to Kitchener

Construction of a new aquatic centre at RBJ Schlegel Park will bring greater access to recreational facilities for the community of Kitchener, Ont., by way of a multi-level government investment announced today.

Plans include an eight-lane, 25-meter long pool with a removable floor and ramp access, bleacher seating, community use multi-purpose rooms, public washrooms, and food and beverage services.

Canada is investing more than $9.7 million through the community, culture and recreation infrastructure stream of the Investing in Canada plan. Ontario is providing more than $8.1 million, while the City of Kitchener is contributing more than $6.5 million.

Kitchener Mayor Berry Vrbanovic said the population in southwest Kitchener is expected to double by 2041. “Today’s funding announcement will support the residents and visitors of this growing community with additional recreational facilities for many years to come,” he said.

Catherine McKenna, federal minister of infrastructure and communities, touted Canada’s plan to invest in thousands of projects across the country, for cleaner, more inclusive communities.

“Access to modern, sustainable recreational facilities is an important part of communities where people want to live, work and raise their families,” she said. “As a swimmer and lover of aquatic sports, I’m excited to see this project get underway.”

New Victoria bylaw targets building materials waste

The City of Victoria is introducing a new bylaw that will substantially increase the salvage of reusable building materials starting next year.

With over a third of Victoria’s landfilled material coming from the construction sector, buildings will now be required to be deconstructed, not demolished, in an effort to reduce construction waste in the municipality.

Construction and demolition activities in Victoria generate between 10,000 and 20,000 tonnes of landfilled waste each year. Wood products, including old growth lumber, make up two thirds of this waste.

“There are significant economic, social and environmental benefits to reusing salvaged building materials, all of which help Victoria to become a resilient community,” said Mayor Lisa Helps. “With our landfill filling up, lumber shortages sweeping across the country, and the economic impacts of COVID19, we are taking advantage of the value in our existing resources and starting the shift to a circular economy.”

Reducing waste from the built environment was one of the priority actions identified in Zero Waste Victoria which council approved in December 2020. Out of 40 strategies within the plan, this action alone will bring the city 15 per cent of the way towards its waste reduction goal of 50 per cent by 2040.

Unlike conventional demolition, deconstruction involves taking apart a house in the reverse order it was built, allowing nearly all the materials to be diverted from landfill and either reused or recycled. These salvageable materials include old growth lumber that was used to build homes up until the 1960s.

“Construction is constantly evolving and innovating necessary strategies to ensure our communities are built in an environmental and sustainable way,” said Rory Kulmala, CEO of the Vancouver Island Construction Association. “It only makes sense that we try to reuse good building materials that would otherwise just be directed to our landfills.”

ICBA named trade association of the year

The Independent Contractors and Businesses Association (ICBA) has been named North American Trade Association of the Year at the Reed Awards.

“Winning the North American Trade Association of the Year award is another indicator of the exceptional team we have at ICBA and all the hard work they do supporting our members in the area of group health benefits, workforce development and training, and advocacy,” said Chris Gardner, ICBA president. “I am very proud of what our team has been able to deliver over the past year – their commitment and hard work, particularly given the challenges related to the COVID-19 global pandemic, has been remarkable.”

The Washington, D.C.-based Reed Awards get their name from Campaigns and Elections founder and campaign marketing pioneer Stanley Foster Reed. They recognize excellence in advocacy, grassroots engagement and campaign management.

“By design, a Reed is extraordinarily difficult to win. And when you do walk away with a Reed you know it means one thing: Your work is hands down, no questions asked, the very best in the industry,” said Shane D’Aprile, co-publisher, Campaigns and Elections, before the ceremony.

Over the past four years, ICBA has won 12 Reed Awards for its advocacy on behalf of open shop construction members and clients. ICBA was previously named North American Trade Association of the Year in 2019.

Energy training delivery agents sought

Public agencies, not-for-profit organizations and private sector energy services providers are all expected to play a role in developing the workforce that will underpin Canada’s promised home retrofit program, slated to launch in the fall of 2021. The program, announced in the 2020 fall economic statement, aims to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, stimulate post-pandemic economic recovery and create green employment through up to 700,000 grants of $5,000 for home energy improvements.

A newly announced $10-million fund will underwrite training and recruitment of approximately 2,000 energy advisors, who will be tasked with performing up to 1 million home energy audits and recommending effective retrofit measures. The Canadian government is now seeking expertise and resources to help build that nationwide team, and is offering grants of up to $100,000 to $200,000 per year to delivery agents of a range of required services.

“There are currently 936 energy advisors in the country who are qualified to use the EnerGuide Rating System v15 to assess home energy performance and make recommendations,” observes Brendan Haley, policy director with the research and advocacy organization, Efficiency Canada. “So this will be a big ramp-up.”

Grants are available in five categories: up to $200,000 per year to train new recruits for energy advisor positions; up to $150,000 per year for mentoring programs; and up to $100,000 per year for professional development/upskilling support, recruitment of under-represented groups in the energy management sector, and capacity building in underserved or remote communities. Potential delivery agents of any or all such endeavours are invited to submit applications by July 8.

Applications will be considered for either a single year or a multi-year period, but all proposed work must occur between September 2021 and March 31, 2024. Provincial/territorial, local and Indigenous governments, Indigenous and other and not-for-profit organizations can receive funding for 100 per cent of eligible costs, while for-profit organizations qualify for coverage of up to 75 per cent of eligible costs. Applicants from or on behalf of under-represented groups will be prioritized, as will proposals that specifically entail recruiting and developing energy advisors from under-represented groups of the population or in underserved locales of the country.

“I am proud of the impact that this investment will have in getting more women, Indigenous Peoples, persons with disabilities and racialized Canadians into the workforce,” says Carla Qualtrough, Canada’s Minister of Employment, Workforce Development and Disability Inclusion. “This investment takes an inclusive approach in helping us get closer to our climate goals and ensuring that all Canadians have access to the skills training they need to succeed in the labour market.”

Canada officially lists plastic products under CEPA

Canada recently listed plastic manufactured items on Schedule 1 under the Canadian Environmental Protection Act (CEPA), taking a first regulatory step in addressing plastic pollution.

The move will allow the government to enact legislation that targets sources of plastic pollution and divert them from landfills, incinerators and the natural environment, where 91 per cent of this annual waste winds up. The action will also forward a national ban on single-use plastic items, such as checkout bags, take-out containers, straws, stirrers, cutlery and six-pack rings.

Environmental groups are now urging Canada to act quickly with the promised ban by the end of 2021. “Plastic pollution is a global crisis and it’s gotten worse during the pandemic, with a whopping 250 to 300 per cent increase in single-use plastics alone,” said Karen Wirsig, program manager at Environmental Defence. “The Canadian government must do its part and stand up to companies that profit from pumping plastics into our environment. That’s why we support the minister in standing firm on his intention to regulate plastics under CEPA. The clock is ticking. We’ve got to act now.”

Many countries around the world have already banned certain single-use plastic items and 170 countries have pledged to significantly reduce them by 2030, according to Environmental Defence. The European Union’s single-use plastic ban will be in force this summer.

“We can’t recycle our way out of this, we need to prevent plastic waste and shift to a truly circular economy built on reusables,” said Emily Alfred, senior campaigner at Toronto Environmental Alliance. “We’re happy to see the federal government take this first key step towards banning unnecessary single-use plastics to address the plastics crisis.”

Graham awarded Powell River wastewater plant

Graham Construction has been awarded the Powell River Consolidated Wastewater Treatment Plant (CWWTP) project in Powell River, B.C.

The CWWTP project is a $61 million conventional bid-build greenfield WWTP that will consolidate and upgrade multiple smaller components of the city’s current wastewater treatment system. This project is designed to align the city’s systems with future treatment commitments. The plant is the largest infrastructure project in the city’s history.

The scope of work consists of bulk earthworks, underground utilities, retaining walls, roadwork and structural concrete work.

Graham will also be responsible for constructing an administration building, a bioreactor complex, grit removal, bioreactors, secondary clarification, ultraviolet disinfection, digesters, dissolved aeration flotation, centrifuge dewatering, chemical dosing systems and odor control.

An addition to the RFP was the marine outfall, previously to be a separate contract, specifically as a construction management component. The project’s location in Powell River, which is only accessible through ferries, flights, tugboats and barges, make it a unique logistical challenge.

This project will provide sewage treatment well into the future for the downtown, Wildwood and Westview areas and will have capacity to serve the Tla’amin First Nation.

The city says Graham Infrastructure “is at the forefront in building wastewater facilities across Canada.”

The company recently completed the Victoria capital region wastewater treatment facility at a total project cost of $775 million, and the Regina wastewater treatment plant for $224 million.

Mayfair Properties acquires iconic Vancouver rental tower

Mayfair Properties Ltd. recently purchased Martello Tower, a 30-storey concrete rental building at the corner of Beach Avenue and Thurlow Street in Vancouver.

The iconic 220-unit property is one of the largest rental buildings in B.C. In addition to being ideally located on 407 feet of frontage, the property also presents opportunities for infill development. The tower is just steps from the Seawall, Sunset Beach and Stanley Park, and a short walk from Downtown Vancouver, public transit, and numerous shops and restaurants.

It was constructed in 1969, and last sold for $28 million in 2003. The units include a mix of one-bedroom and two-bedroom suites averaging between 550 and 828 square feet. In total, Martello Tower comprises approximately 129,600 square feet of space.

Building features include:

concrete exterior
extensive gardens
outdoor heated pool
saunas
3 refurbished glass and stainless steel elevators
smart card laundry
156 underground parking stalls
52 surface parking stalls
On-site staff and office

About Mayfair Properties

Mayfair Properties owns and operates a variety of hotels, residential properties, commercial properties and storage facilities in Metro Vancouver and Vancouver Island. Mayfair’s apartment buildings include both high and low-rise buildings ranging from heritage properties to new builds. The company is known for having well-located apartments in Downtown Vancouver and North Vancouver.

Vancouver’s largest seismically safe school underway

Construction has begun on Eric Hamber Secondary school, the largest seismic school replacement project in Vancouver’s history.

“As we push toward a future that is more innovative, sustainable and inclusive, I am thrilled to see our values reflected in learning spaces like the new Hamber Secondary school,” said Jennifer Whiteside, Minister of Education. “Along with seismic safety, the energy-efficient design, beautiful auditorium and child care spaces included in this project are part of how we are building care and wellness into education.”

The Government of B.C. is funding $94.1 million of the $105.9 million required to replace the school. The new 15,000 square metre building will offer a safer learning environment for up to 1,700 students in the event of an earthquake, while contributing to a more sustainable future by meeting LEED gold standards. LEED gold buildings offer healthy, high-performance environments with natural light, abundant fresh air and sustainable materials and practices.

“It remains a priority of the board to ensure all students attend seismically safe schools as quickly as possible,” said Carmen Cho, board chair, Vancouver School District. “The new school will meet today’s standards for modern learning and will include spaces that create opportunities for collaborative interaction for students.”

The building will offer more opportunities for community activities with the addition of an auditorium and child care facility with nearly 70 licensed spaces. Funding will be provided by the province, the Vancouver School Board and the City of Vancouver.

“By co-locating affordable and inclusive child care facilities within schools such as this, we are able to support busy families, create walkable communities and ensure that Vancouver is a city that works for everyone,” said Mayor of Vancouver Kennedy Stewart.

The new school will be built next to the existing one on the northwest corner of the site. Students will remain in the existing school during construction. This will prevent the need for portables and minimize disruption, like bussing Eric Hamber students.

Quebec to put damper on fossil fuel heating

Pending restrictions on fossil fuel heating could push some Quebec landlords and condominium corporations to replace boilers and other heating and domestic hot water equipment sooner than they had expected. A draft regulation posted in the Gazette du Québec last month signals the government’s intent to prohibit oil heating in new residential construction after December 31, 2021, and to disallow installation of boilers, furnaces and water heaters fired with any kind of fossil fuel in “certain existing residential buildings” after December 31, 2023.

These new rules would be under the auspices of the Act mainly to ensure effective governance of the fight against climate change and to promote electrification, which the Quebec legislative assembly adopted in October 2020. As summarized in the Gazette, the proposed regulation would also prohibit repairs to equipment of specified vintage after December 31, 2023, effectively necessitating replacement with a different fuel option.

Accompanying analysis estimates these new rules will engender a largely revenue-neutral shift in energy demand — translating to a $370-million loss for oil refineries and distributors between 2022 and 2030, and a $367-million gain for the electricity and biomass sectors in the same period. In addition, heating equipment suppliers and maintenance contractors are projected to take a $2.1-million hit.

On the plus side, the resulting reduction in greenhouse gas emissions and other air pollutants is calculated to have a net benefit of more than $173 million over nine years. The draft regulation also establishes monetary penalties for non-compliance.

The Quebec government could enact the regulation as early as June 5, or 45 days after the draft was posted. Until then, interested parties are invited to submit comments to [email protected], director, emissions reduction division, Ministère de l’Environnement.

Celebrating one year of GBAC STAR accreditation

In the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Global Biorisk Advisory Council, (GBAC), a Division of ISSA, launched its GBAC STAR Facility Accreditation to assist facilities in preparing for, responding to, and recovering from infectious disease risks. The first facilities to earn GBAC STAR accreditation were Georgia World Congress Center in Atlanta and Dinner in a Dash in Monroe, Ga.

One year later, over 1,900 facilities in more than 80 countries across six continents have earned accreditation, and more than 3,000 facilities are in the process of pursuing accreditation. Additionally, cleaning service provider CCS Facility Services was the first to achieve GBAC STAR™ Service Accreditation in March to support its cleaning, disinfection, and infection prevention protocols and procedures.

“Over the course of the last year, we have helped many organizations better understand the complexities of cleaning effectively for infectious diseases like the SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19. This has been especially crucial as guidance from public health agencies has changed throughout the pandemic,” said GBAC Executive Director Patricia Olinger. “We are beyond excited to see the benefits that participating facilities have realized and look forward to making even more progress in changing the way the world views cleaning.”

Since launching on May 7, 2020, GBAC STAR has attracted worldwide interest from facilities of all types and sizes.

Additionally, GBAC STAR Supporters, a network of over 80 industry organizations, have committed their support for the accreditation program with their constituents. Supporters include American Association of Airport Executives (AAAE); The International Association of Venue Managers (IAVM); Visit Dallas; Discover The Palm Beaches, Fla.; Visit Baltimore; and many others.

Over the past year, GBAC has partnered with leading suppliers in the cleaning industry, including Kimberly-Clark Professional, CloroxPro, GOJO Industries, GP Pro, ByoPlanet, Essendant, and Victory Innovations, to launch grant and scholarship programs, equipment donations, and in-kind donations. These programs and donations have helped to support and educate facility professionals and service providers and demonstrate their commitment and readiness to prepare, respond, and recover from outbreaks and pandemics.

To make it easy for the public to find facilities that have earned or committed to accreditation, GBAC also launched its GBAC STAR Facility Directory, which allows users to filter based on keyword, facility type, location, and accreditation status. The public can enter these facilities with confidence since accreditation provides clear direction on cleaning procedures and ensures that leadership and frontline cleaning staff are committed to a higher standard of cleanliness. Additional information for the public is available at gbac.org/info.

“Cleaning, disinfection, and infection prevention are all crucial areas of focus during and after a pandemic, even when dealing with an airborne virus,” said ISSA Executive Director John Barrett. “Continuously upholding cleanliness is key to preventing future outbreaks and pandemics, and GBAC STAR accreditation gives facilities the tools to do just that.”

Learn more and apply for GBAC STAR™ facility accreditation at gbac.org/star.

Find accredited facilities and those pursuing accreditation via the GBAC STAR Facility Directory at gbac.org/directory.

MediaEdge is a proud reseller of the GBAC STAR and GBAC fundamentals online course. Please see the program details and links below.

Commercial facility owners looking for GBAC STAR accreditation can follow the link here.
ISSA has also released a new GBAC fundamentals online course specifically designed for cleaning workers on the frontlines of the coronavirus fight. Please click here to register and receive a discount off normal prices.

For additional program details and information, please email [email protected] or contact him at (416) 803-4653.

IICRC publishes revised water damage restoration standard

The Institute of Inspection, Cleaning, and Restoration Certification (IICRC) has announced the publication of a newly-revised, ANSI-approved ANSI/IICRC S500 Standard for Professional Water Damage Restoration (5th edition, 2021).

This standard describes the procedures to be followed and the precautions to be taken when performing water damage restoration in residential, commercial, and institutional buildings, and the systems and personal property contained within those structures.

Water damage restoration consists of the following components for which procedures are described in this standard:

Principles of Water Damage Restoration
Microbiology of Water Damage
Health Effects from Exposure to Microbial Contamination in Water-Damaged Buildings
Building and Material Science
Psychrometry and Drying Technology
Equipment, Instruments, and Tools
Antimicrobial (biocide) Technology
Safety and Health
Administrative Procedures, Project Documentation, and Risk Management
Inspections, Preliminary Determinations, and Pre-Restoration Evaluations
Limitations, Complexities, Complications, and Conflicts
Specialized Experts
Structural Restoration
Heating, Ventilating, and Air Conditioning (HVAC) Restoration
Contents Evaluation, Restoration, and Remediation
Large or Catastrophic Restoration Projects
Materials and Assemblies

Brandon Burton, IICRC Standards Chairman, said: “I am confident the ANSI/IICRC S500: 2021 release will help many in the water damage restoration profession. The changes made were an effort to take an already well-established and respected standard one step further in clarity, while addressing many changes in our continuously growing and maturing industry. Although the changes made can be found in each section of the document, the greatest efforts were made to the organization and flow of the standard.”

Burton continued, “I’d like to express a significant amount of gratitude and appreciation to the IICRC S500 Consensus Body that performed this revision, and in particular to the Consensus Body Chair, Chris Taylor. Members each volunteered more than 1,000 hours of their time to this revision effort.”

To purchase a copy of the new ANSI/IICRC S500: 2021 and other standards, visit http://webstore.iicrc.org. IICRC standards are also available via the IICRC Standards Subscription website at http://publications.iicrc.org. For more information on other certification programs and standards offered by IICRC, visit www.iicrc.org.

About IICRC

The IICRC is a global standards developing organization (SDO), accredited through the American National Standards Institute (ANSI), as well as a credentialing body that certifies individuals in 20+ categories within the inspection, cleaning, and restoration industries. With more than 60,000 certified technicians and 6,000 Certified Firms in 22 countries, the IICRC, in partnership with regional and international trade associations, represents the entire industry. The IICRC does not own schools, employ instructors, produce training materials, or promote specific product brands, cleaning methods, or systems.

IDC launches online mentorship program

Interior Designers of Canada (IDC) has launched an online mentorship program platform created for Canada’s interior design community. The aim of the program is to connect senior designers and retired members with students and interns across Canada.

Mentorship is a valuable experience for both mentors and mentees – it is a way for mentors to give back and for mentees to learn new skills and prepare for the demands of a career in interior design.

“The IDC mentorship initiative has been in the works for a few years and is a direct response to the requests of members,” says IDC CEO, Trevor Kruse. “We’re excited to be able to provide such a needed program in a time when our members are seeking new ways to connect and share.”

IDC members can apply to become mentors or mentees by visiting mentorship.idcanada.org and using their IDC credentials to log in and create a profile. The program platform is private and secure. Non-members interested in joining the mentorship program can register with IDC to become members. More about membership is found here: https://www.idcanada.org/join-idc/

Launching the IDC mentorship program is one way that IDC reinvests membership revenue back into serving our members.

“Becoming a mentor is a great way to share knowledge and inspire a new generation of interior designers and those interested in a future in the industry, whether they are considering a career in design, education, research, product development, or the numerous career options that exist for students and interns today,” says Kruse.

For more information on the mentorship program, please contact [email protected].

Tricon expands U.S. single-family rental platform

Tricon Residential announced it has formed a new joint venture with Pacific Life Insurance Company and a leading global investor to acquire newly built single-family rental homes targeting the middle-market demographic in the U.S. Sun Belt. The Homebuilder Direct JV will serve as a complement to Tricon’s existing single-family rental joint venture, which is focused on the organic acquisition of resale homes.

The Homebuilder Direct JV will have an initial equity commitment of $300 million (one-third coming from each partner) and include the ability for investors to increase the vehicle size to $450 million, representing $1.5 billion of purchasing potential when including associated leverage. This will enable it to acquire approximately 5,000 new single-family homes, primarily from national and regional homebuilders, including both scattered site homes and finished build-to-rent communities, with Tricon serving as the property manager.

“We are excited to begin a new partnership with Pacific Life alongside one of our existing institutional investors to expand our single-family rental platform and offer our residents the option to live in brand-new homes at an accessible price point,” said Gary Berman, President and CEO of Tricon Residential. “We continue to see exceptional demand for high-quality rental homes as a result of de-urbanization, de-densification and work-from-home trends that have only accelerated in the past year. The Homebuilder Direct JV leverages our longstanding relationships with homebuilders across the United States and rounds out our single-family rental acquisition strategy to include new homes, complementing our ongoing acquisition program of resale homes in our SFR JV-1 vehicle, and the development of build-to-rent communities in our THPAS JV-1. With the formation of the Homebuilder Direct JV, we now have a clear runway to grow our single-family rental portfolio well beyond 30,000 homes.”

Visit Tricon Residential for more details.

Royal Botanical Gardens getting a $2.2-million upgrade

Royal Botanical Gardens (RBG) in Burlington, Ontario, has secured joint funding for improvements and repairs that will boost accessibility at the national historic site.

Canada is investing $908,000 through the community, culture and recreation infrastructure stream of the Investing in Canada plan, and Ontario is giving more than $756,000. The RBG will contribute upwards of $605,000.

Project work at Canada’s largest botanical garden will involve reconstructing a boathouse, a viewing platform and boardwalk, repairing nature trails and garden paths, and installing an entry gate for the Hendrie Valley Trails. Improvements also include enlarging the Rock Trail parking lot and making it more accessible, and updating wayfinding signage and audio units to adhere to the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act.

“Royal Botanical Gardens is committed to providing a safe destination for people from all walks of life to immerse themselves in diverse outdoor experiences and inspiring landscapes,” RBG CEO Nancy Rowland said in a press release. “The initiative announced today will facilitate accessibility improvements that strengthen this commitment, allowing RBG to welcome even more people looking to make a special connection to the natural world.”

The federal government’s Investing in Canada plan earmarked more than $180 billion over 12 years for public transit projects, green infrastructure, social infrastructure, trade and transportation routes, and rural and northern communities.

CPP among global top 10 real estate investors

Canada Pension Plan Investment Board (CPP Investments) retains eighth position among the global top 10 real estate investors for 2021, based on the recent annual rankings from IPE Real Assets. It’s one of five pension plan managers on the list, along with three global insurance/asset management firms and two sovereign wealth funds.

Collectively, the top 10 hold USD $487.5 billion in real estate assets, with CPP Investments’ USD $43.1-billion (CAD $52.58 billion) stake equating to an 8.8 per cent share of that tally. Of note for all Canadians who are or will some day be beneficiaries, both CPP Investments’ real estate portfolio and total assets have grown in value since IPE, a European based institutional investment analyst and news service, surveyed the field in 2020.

Currently, real estate accounts for about 9 per cent of CPP’s total assets, which are valued at USD $476 billion (CAD $580.7 billion). In 2020, it held USD $36 billion (CAD $43.9 billion) in real estate, representing 11.6 per cent of total assets, which were valued at USD $309 billion (CAD $377 billion) at the time.

Nine of this year’s 10 leading real estate investors also made the list last year, with the top four — Allianz Global Investors, Netherlands-based pension fund manager APG, China Investment Corporation and Abu Dhabi Investment Authority — replicating their 2020 standing. California State Teachers’ Retirement System (CalSTRS) is the new entrant for 2021, replacing Qatar Investment Authority in the 10th spot.

The U.S. Teachers’ Insurance and Annuity Association (TIAA) slips one place to rank sixth this year, while AXA Investment Managers moves up from seventh to fifth. There has also been some jostling in the positioning immediately around CPP Investments, with Swiss Life moving one notch above, to seventh, and California State Public Employees Retirement System (CalPERS) dropping to ninth.

CalPERS is the sole top 10 investor to trim its real estate holdings over the previous 12 months — from USD $40.9 billion to USD $37.3 in assets — evidenced in a slide down from the sixth spot in 2020. Nevertheless, it registered a 7 per cent value gain in its total holdings, growing from USD $370 billion to USD $396 billion, since the time of last year’s rankings.

Building features include:

About Mayfair Properties

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