EllisDon celebrates 70 year milestone

EllisDon is celebrating 70 years since it was established in 1951, in London, Ontario by brothers Don and David Ellis Smith. With more than 5,000 salaried employees today, EllisDon has grown to become a leading construction, technology and building services company.

From the beginning, EllisDon has been an industry innovator. In 1956, EllisDon brought the first tower cranes to Canada. In 1986, EllisDon was awarded the design-and-build contract for Toronto’s SkyDome, making history by building the world’s first retractable-rooftop stadium.

“I encourage everyone to take a moment on April 1st, to remember a very, very many really terrific people who, over seven decades, accomplished great things, and gave us all an opportunity to accomplish even greater things,” said Geoff Smith, president and CEO, EllisDon.

In 70 years of business, EllisDon has expanded beyond construction to deliver on any aspect of a project, leading projects all the way from the initial concept phase to long-term asset management, operations and smart buildings technology. These services, called “Cradle-to-Grave,” continue to grow and challenge traditional views of what it means to be a company in the construction industry. EllisDon is constantly looking for ways to make its projects more sustainable, resilient, reliable and efficient, while leveraging technology in every aspect of its business, to drive change while striving to eliminate clients’ risk.

EllisDon’s heart lies with its employees, following the core values of: Freedom, Trust, Complete Openness, Mutual Accountability, Entrepreneurial Enthusiasm, and Mutual Respect. Inclusive diversity is also important for the company with the creation of multiple new employee groups including: ABEEL (Alliance of Black Employee Experience and Leadership) which educates employees and sub-trades on anti-Black systemic racism and the Gender Equality Group.

In 2020, EllisDon announced a final agreement was executed under which 100 per cent of the company’s equity will be transferred to the company’s employees. From March 1, 2020 onward, EllisDon will gradually buy out the Smith family stake, enabling the employees’ equity ownership to increase to 100 per cent over several years.

Post-COVID plexiglass surplus to be repurposed

An anticipated post-COVID plexiglass surplus could go back into service offsetting peak energy loads. Developers of a modular photovoltaic assembly aim to have the do-it-yourself retrofit kit on the market in sync with the projected schedule for completing nationwide vaccinations.

“As the dividers come down, the solar panels can go up,” says Mala R. Key, a principal with A Ray of Repurposing Solutions Inc., the building products start-up behind the scalable, lego-like concept. “Building owners/managers can realize germs-to-generation functionality that leverages their earlier investment in occupants’ health and safety, accelerates the payback on photovoltaic installations, scores green certification points and reduces carbon emissions. It’s a win win win win paradigm shift.”

The patented design allows building operations personnel to easily snap reclaimed plexiglass into an adjustable frame containing other photovoltaic system components. Key suggests that could be a particularly good fit for community retail malls with expansive roof surfaces, anchor tenants like grocery stores that have little flexibility to curtail refrigeration loads during peak demand periods, and a looming challenge to sustainably decommission a glut of obsolete transparent buffers.

“Of course, our clients are prepared to wait patiently for public health affirmation before they can say good riddance to these smudge magnets, but we’re urging them to start thinking about the possibilities now,” reports Una Abril, senior director with Green & Bear It Property Services Ltd., a third-party management firm for the commercial and multifamily sectors. “Already, we’re seeing some robust reimagining that could be best-in-class game-changers going forward.”

Along with exciting new operational applications for plexiglass, she points to other tenant-facing innovations — such as the dramatic new lobby art set to cascade down the atrium of one prominent downtown office tower. The intricately quilted mosaic has been fashioned from thousands of fabric masks that donors wore on memorable occasions during the past year. Meanwhile, building owners/managers and their design consultants are actively pressuring suppliers for a wider choice of elegant hand-sanitizer dispensers worthy of a sophisticated and discerning occupancy.

“The new normal needs a makeover,” Abril asserts.

New voices for commercial electricity customers

Commercial electricity customers will get more presence among Ontario consumer groups when two new appointees join the Independent Electricity System Operator’s (IESO) stakeholder advisory committee this spring. Bala Gnanam, vice president, energy, environment and advocacy, with the Building Owners and Managers Association (BOMA) of Greater Toronto and Agnieszka Wloch, vice president, development, with Minto Communities Canada, have been named to the 17-member committee tasked with providing policy-level advice to the IESO board of directors and senior executive.

The committee meets a minimum of six times annually to receive briefings and provide feedback on IESO activities related to market development, conservation and electricity planning. It is broadly structured to give voice to five categories of stakeholders including electricity generators, transmission and distribution utilities, energy businesses and services, consumers and Ontario communities.

Notably, though, consumers encompass three distinct groups: residential, small business and farm customers on the regulated price plan (RPP); commercial customers; and large industrial users. Gnanam and Wloch will replace the outgoing consumer representatives, Julie Girvan of the Consumers Council of Canada, and Mark Schembri, vice president, supermarket systems and store maintenance, with Loblaw Companies Ltd.

Wloch is a licensed architect with more than 16 years’ experience in Minto’s development division, where she has become a specialist in mixed-use development projects and is currently a leadership team member overseeing development management in both the company’s Toronto and Ottawa bases. She holds a Master of Business Administration (MBA) from Western University’s Ivey School of Business and is vice president of the Simcoe Chapter of the land economics society, Lambda Alpha International.

Gnanam is an engineer with nearly 20 years’ experience in the energy, commercial real estate and manufacturing sectors. He has keen interest in building performance and climate resilience and has Certified Energy Manager (CEM) and Certified Demand Side Manager (CDSM) designations from the Association of Energy Engineers. He is a member of the board of directors of EcoSchools Canada and the Clean Air Partnership.

Stakeholder advisory committee members are appointed from a slate of nominees put forward by “parties having an interest in IESO activities”. They serve two-year terms and are eligible to remain for up to six consecutive terms.

Three other new members will begin terms along with Gnanam and Wloch. They are: Ed Gilbert, corporate manager, Aamjiwnaang First Nation, and Tonja Leach, executive director of the public policy and research group, Quest, representing Ontario communities; and Amanda Klein, executive vice president, public and regulatory affairs, and chief legal officer with Toronto Hydro, representing distributors and transmitters.

Canada construction industry to rebound in 2021

Construction across Canada is expected to rebound in 2021 in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic and rise through the coming decade, according to the latest labour market forecast released by BuildForce Canada.

The strength and pace of recovery, however, will vary among provinces, and will depend significantly on the rollout of COVID-19 vaccines, the recovery in consumer and business confidence, the global demand for Canadian exports, and the lifting of restrictions on international travel.

BuildForce Canada’s 2021–2030 Construction and Maintenance Looking Forward national report forecasts construction employment to rise by 64,900 workers over the next decade. This represents an increase of 6 per cent over 2020 workforce levels. While the outlook forecasts much of that growth to take place through 2025, by the end of the decade, the respective provincial industries will have to cope with the need to replace nearly 259,100 workers, or about 22 per cent of the current labour force, due to retirement.

“Canada’s construction outlook is strong for 2021 and well into the middle portion of the decade thanks to gains in the residential and non-residential sectors,” says BuildForce Canada executive director Bill Ferreira. “And while we forecast growth to slow over the later years of our forecast period, we nonetheless expect that the industry will be challenged to recruit more than 309,000 new workers to replace retirees and keep pace with demand.”

BuildForce Canada anticipates that the non-residential sector will lead industry growth between 2021 and 2023 and be driven by a large list of public transit, health care, education, roadwork, and other civil infrastructure projects. Overall, non-residential employment is projected to increase by more than 39,800 workers between 2021 and 2025, and another 5,000 to 2030.

The sector is expected to end the decade up 44,800 workers (up 8 per cent) compared to 2020.

In B.C., construction is poised to enter the steepest period of growth in its forecast period. The province will add more than 11,400 non-residential workers through 2022, before shedding as many as half of those gains through 2026, before renewed growth later in the period adds new jobs. By 2030, employment is expected to increase by 9,900 workers compared to 2020.

Alberta, which was among the provinces hardest hit by the pandemic, could see further challenges ahead. Ongoing uncertainty in the energy sector and further deferrals and cancellations of major investments have significantly tempered expectations for a strong near-term recovery. A more material expansion is expected after 2023.

Ontario will be driven by a growing pipeline of major infrastructure projects across all regions. An additional recovery in commercial and industrial investment will bring labour demands to a peak in 2026.

“The unevenness with which provinces and even regions within those provinces will experience construction growth over the forecast period suggests that intra- and interprovincial mobility, as well as drawing workers from other industries, will be key to meeting construction demands,” says Ferreira.

The power of UV-C light

When Dr. Gavin Macgregor-Skinner travels, he more closely resembles an astronaut preparing for a space journey than a traditional traveller on a business trip. He knows the hazards of potentially dangerous infectious agents. He knows the proven dangers of infectious agents such as the coronavirus. He knows that there could be something new right around the corner that poses a threat to human health. He doesn’t take any chances.

Dr. Macgregor-Skinner is an epidemiologist who concentrates his efforts on the global cleaning industry. He is now the director of the Global Biorisk Advisory Council (GBAC), a division of ISSA. Some of the activities and actions of others he sees surprise him.

“I was once going through the TSA checkpoint at a major airport,” Dr. Macgregor Skinner relates, “When a shift change occurred for the TSA agents. I kid you not. I saw one agent take off his face shield and hand it to his replacement. No cleaning, no disinfecting, nothing.”

There is a vast chasm, a disconnect, between what people know they should do and what they actually do. One way to solve this issue is to put antimicrobial protocols in place that really work and don’t always require the human element to be implemented.

An example is with ultraviolet-C (UV-C) technology. “UV-C light (after cleaning) has significantly mitigated infection risks with environmentally mediated transmission routes,” Dr. Macgregor-Skinner says, for agents “such as Clostridium difficile (C. diff ) and vancomycin-resistant Enterococci (VRE). And just like traditional, chemical disinfectants, UV-C light has a required contact time.”

Some UV-C units are portable and can be targeted to specific surfaces. Other systems provide antimicrobial light much like a traditional lightbulb in a room. Manufacturers of UV-C technology, in addition to industry consultants, can point to data that prove it works and is an effective antimicrobial innovation.

Why consider UV-C?

Camila Salazar, an account consultant with Nichols Distribution in Indianapolis, is on a mission to consult with and seek out ways to empower her clients with solutions that include innovative disinfection technologies. She works closely with Pure Protective Equipment, which is made up of a family of companies, including UVC Lightforce, UV Angel, and Lucid Drone Technologies, and led by Bill Fisher, president of Pacific Floorcare.

“I help fast-track my customers to productivity and process improvement gains by using UV-C as their antimicrobial tool to quickly eradicate and destroy the cellular growth of microorganisms. Clinical studies prove customers adding UV-C light to standard regimens reduces bacteria contaminant counts by 88 per cent in comparison to just 63 per cent with traditional methods. That is a huge savings for health care and commercial institutions,” she explained. “It’s another arrow in their quiver to supplement their current standard operating procedures and protect their communities. As a result, transmission of infection decreases exponentially, allowing for peace of mind during volatile times.”

Grant Morgan, the CEO and founder of R-Zero Systems, a company that manufactures UV-C equipment, said, “The scientific community has long understood the innovative power of UV-C light. UV-C has long been the gold standard for infection prevention in hospitals, and UV-C has been used in countless other air, water, and surface applications for over a century. UV-C was key to fighting early public health crises, like measles and tuberculosis.“

“UV-C is a long-proven method for disinfecting air, water, and non-porous surfaces,” says Timothy Sulecki, the president of MaxAssure Inc., a manufacturer of ultraviolet equipment. “Multiple lengthy case studies prove both the efficacy and economic benefits of UV-C as part of a disinfection process. For decades, UV-C has been an important tool to healthcare facilities around the globe and providing a demonstrated, easy-to-use method of disinfection.”

UV-C offers next-level protection in coordination with regular cleaning and disinfecting protocols, according to Mike Colligan, the director of corporate sales with Pure Protective Equipment. “The use of UV-C is a chemical-free process that does not leave behind any residue and allows for immediate occupancy of the space. In addition, other methods of disinfection introduce the element of human error into the cleaning process. The use of UV-C is another layer of disinfection for the facility to ensure proper cleaning procedures and protocols are in place.”

Dr. Linda Lee is the chief medical affairs and science officer with UV Angel, a manufacturer of UV-C technology. She has spent more than 30 years working with a wide range of organizations in her quest to eliminate disease and create safer indoor environments. “UV-C is a well-studied, well-understood technology that has been around for years and used to treat environments and reduce pathogens,” says Dr. Lee. “There are hundreds of uses and everyday applications for UV-C treatment in the air, on surfaces, and in water.”

“UV-C or ultraviolet light in the 200 to 280 nanometers (nm) range has shown to be effective against pathogens under specific conditions,” according to Dr. Stefan Wagener, Ph.D., SM (NRCM), CBSP, RBP, and a scientific advisor for GBAC. “The effectiveness depends on the specific wavelength used, medium to be treated, the amount of UV energy released, the distance between the UV source and the material being exposed, and, very importantly, the conditions in which pathogens are in.”

The UV-C process is called ultraviolet germicidal irradiation (UVGI), explains Frederick Schetrompf, the vice president of MaxAssure Inc. “This disinfection method uses short-wavelength UV-C (~254 nm) to kill or inactivate microorganisms by disrupting their D-/RNA (apoptosis), leaving them unable to perform vital cellular functions such as replication. The result is cell death.”

So, it’s not as simple as turning on an ultraviolet light and zapping into oblivion what can hurt you.

“To be safely and effectively used, UV-C light must come in direct sight with the treated air or surface, as areas shadowed from the light will not be treated,” according to Mike Hartmann, the executive vice president of The PYURE Company, which manufactures equipment using ultraviolet light that creates hydroxyls and organic oxidants. “UV-C cannot be directly exposed to humans as it is proven harmful to skin and eyes, and prolonged and repeated use will damage materials in a treated room.”

“Any user of UV needs to assess the intended application and usefulness carefully,” Dr. Wagener stresses. “UV systems designed and specifically customized for installation in a specific air-handling system (HVAC) to treat the air while it is passing through, will likely be much more effective per unit dose of UV than UV lights placed in a room full of equipment, furniture, and other objects that provide shade.”

How it works

Commonly seen in hospitals are the UV-C towers. “These are rolled into the room, people leave the room, and it is sealed off from anyone entering the space while the tower is emitting UV-C energy in the room,” says Dr. Lee. “The action of the UV-C is to interrupt the DNA/RNA of the cell, and thus the cell cannot reproduce. Cells that cannot reproduce will die.”

In addition, UV-C is used with building ventilation systems. “There are a number of ways to incorporate UV-C into HVAC systems,” according to Morgan. “The most common application is inserting UV-C lamps into the ducts of an HVAC system to disinfect air as it passes over the lamps before entering a room. It can also be used near the filtration system, which not only disinfects the air, but also disinfects the filters that catch, but don’t inactivate, harmful pathogens.”

According to Morgan, exposure times vary greatly and are impacted by several variables such as airflow rate, humidity, the types of pathogens being eradicated, the intensity of the light, the size of the radiation chamber, and more. Given how complex modelling can be and how much is at stake, it’s advisable to consult an expert to understand how much exposure time is needed for your application.

V-C light can be used for antimicrobial purposes if enough UV light (dose) reaches the pathogens, explains Dr. Wagener. “They need to be exposed to the light for a long enough time, and nothing shades the pathogens from the light. For that reason, UV-C light can be used in HVAC systems where air passes in front of the light for a long enough time, and the same is true for in-water applications if the water is clean.”

Dr. Wagener also cautions about routine maintenance. “Over time, UV-C light bulbs will reduce the output of UV-C light, and any time the bulb gets dirty, it will be less effective. For that reason, shields and/or filters are sometimes used in front of bulbs in an HVAC or water system to keep the bulbs clean. As long as the UV-C bulbs are in a closed system (no UV-C light gets to the outside), they are considered safe.”

Overall, manufacturers of UV-C equipment see an acceptance of this type of technology. “Our observations show us that the demand for UV-C as a disinfecting tool has increased over the last year due to the global pandemic and is safe to use as directed in unoccupied spaces where there is no exposure to people and porous materials,” reports Hartmann.

Safety concerns

Obviously, it all starts with training. “As with all systems designed for health and safety, training and support are critical,” Salazar explains. “We have developed customized training and implementation programs based on industry segment. Knowledge is power. The more comfortable and educated on a system you are, the more likely it is accepted.”

Eight years ago, MaxAssure embarked on educating and gaining acceptance in the UV industry. “Although UV-C is a highly safe and effective means for disinfection, it was then and remains now difficult to convert some folks from more ‘traditional’ disinfection processes,” explains Sulecki. “While UV-C has its own inherent risks, safety measures have been built into our devices.”

“UV light and especially UV-C is high-energy radiation and a significant human and animal hazard,” says Dr. Wagener. This being said, using UV-C in an occupational setting requires that no skin and/or eye contact occurs at any time. “For that reason, UV-C application is either in a closed system or without any occupancy during the application. In addition, any surface application requires the surface to be clean and unobstructed. Trying to use it on dirty, soiled surfaces will not work well.”

“When operated correctly, this technology is safe,” Morgan adds. “Humans and animals should not be in the room while a UV-C device is running since the light can be damaging to eyes and skin. It’s imperative that UV-C devices come with built-in safety features, such as a motion detector that shuts down the device if there’s movement in the room, as well as detailed manufacturer instructions for safe operation. Training programs for those who operate the devices are also important.”

Some innovative systems are developed to be used in occupied spaces, however. As Dr. Lee explains, the technology that she works with includes safe and shielded technology, and “this technology is safe for occupied spaces because of the shielded UV-C and continuous treatment.”

Salazar points to advancements in ceiling-mounted units in an enclosed UV-C chamber. “It continuously operates at the source of the pathogens (humans) and safely continuous operation with patrons, patients, and humans in the area. They are safe to use in the presence of humans, who shed 37 million types of pathogens per hour!”

Added Colligan: “With the current pandemic that we are in, operators are looking for a next-level solution in addition to the current cleaning and disinfecting methods. While there is no one perfect way to clean and disinfect, the use of these layers of cleaning protocol allow for a cleaner, safer workplace, school, or environment.”

Automation and robotics

Automation is the obvious path to the future, according to Schetrompf. Ensuring there is effective overlap between the level of automation employed and safety is paramount.

“In the last 18 months, we have observed big leaps made in the bridge between automation and safety using next-generation sensors and computer modelling. It is exciting, to say the least.”

Colligan believes that the use of robotics in the industry continues to evolve. “Regardless of the application, robotic, human, or otherwise, the intensity of the UV-C lamp will still define the time necessary to effectively kill or inactivate the pathogen and drive the productivity time.”

The future

The pandemic has led to rapid growth in the UV-C market, and Morgan believes the industry will only see this growth continue in the new normal—especially as bodies such as the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) and the International Ultraviolet Association (IUVA) develop uniform performance standards.

“It is our belief that the coronavirus pandemic will ultimately have a larger impact on infectious disease protocols—along with every other aspect of modern culture—than any other event in history,” Morgan adds. “From this point forward, businesses around the globe will be putting infection prevention and environmental safety at the forefront of their day-to-day operations, making technologies like UV-C a part of standard disinfection protocols. While today the focus is COVID-19, tomorrow it will be norovirus, the seasonal fl u, E. coli, the common cold, and every other virus, bacteria, fungi, or mould that threatens the human immune system.”

“The seasonal flu alone impacts 40 million Americans every year,” Morgan says, which costs the United States economy more than $10 billion annually—and “somehow as a society we’ve come to accept that as normal. I believe UV-C will play a huge role in decreasing those numbers and ultimately setting a new standard for infection prevention in our post-pandemic world.”

While the global pandemic presented an obvious, immediate increase in UV-C usage, there is an anticipated, heightened awareness remaining. According to Sulecki, “Demand for better disinfection management of our environment, particularly public spaces, is likely here to stay. Once largely limited to health care and water treatment applications, the future poses limitless applications so long as the driving force of design includes safety.”

Salazar adds, “The use of UV-C technology in our everyday lives is here to stay, as is the hyper-focus on cleaning and disinfection procedures. Even though we are seeing the economy start to reopen and are expecting herd immunity by early summer, growing trends from customers are their increased focus on implementing proactive prevention strategies and instilling confidence in their patrons that they can return to a safer environment once again. Many were doing just enough to ‘get by,’ but what can they be doing now to protect their tenants, patients, employees, students, and others?”

If there’s anything certain about the current pandemic, it’s that the landscape is constantly changing, the behaviour of the virus is difficult to predict, and SARS-CoV-2 will not be the last dangerous pathogen to challenge the world, according to Kathryn Kulick, the chief product marketing and financial officer of Neon LLC, a company that provides several UV-C solutions. “Clearly, the best approach for addressing the unknown is to begin with proven approaches and straightforward safety procedures.”

With these thoughts in mind, we must all now take the time to examine our cleaning, disinfecting, and sanitizing strategies. Are we just doing enough to “get by,” or are we doing all we can to safeguard those in our buildings, our customers, employees, and ourselves?

This article was originally published in ISSA Today, March-April 2021.

Jeff Cross is the media director of ISSA Media, which includes ISSA Today, Cleaning & Maintenance Management, and Cleanfax. He can be reached at Jeff Cross@ISSA.com or 740-973-4236.

CCA calls for sustainable infrastructure investment

The Canadian Construction Association (CCA) has released a research paper, Strength, resilience, sustainability: Canada’s construction sector recommendations on adapting to climate change. The paper highlights the benefits of sustainable and resilient infrastructure that can withstand the effects of climate change and stresses the imperative of investing in sustainable infrastructure, particularly as COVID-19 economic recovery efforts are underway.

The paper explores both the global and Canadian construction industries’ adaptation measures to date, and uses that insight to inform recommendations for how the industry can work alongside the government to accelerate progress in mitigating the impact of climate change on infrastructure.

“The construction industry in Canada has already implemented many sustainable practices and is eager to continue doing so, but a major challenge we face is the need for government investment and a more supportive environment for fostering innovation within the sector,” said Mary Van Buren, CCA president. “Economic recovery discussions are an opportune time for the government and our industry to partner to ensure that large-scale infrastructure is built with resiliency that can withstand changing weather patterns and events.”

To build Canada’s future clean economy and create good jobs, a change to the way that public infrastructure projects are determined and funded is required. The Canadian construction industry contributes $141 billion to the national GDP each year and employs approximately 1.4 million people across the country – making the potential to affect change in this sector significant. One barrier to green investment is the higher upfront costs, even though there can be lower costs over the lifetime of the asset. In fact, research indicates that benefits of investing in green infrastructure can outweigh the costs by a ratio of six to one.

The federal government has a strong role to play in changing its procurement practices to allow for higher upfront costs and to de-risk innovation. Without changes to existing practices to consider climate resiliency in infrastructure, climate change costs for Canada could escalate from roughly $5 billion per year in 2020 to between $21 and $43 billion per year by the 2050s.

Virtual practices stir up privacy concerns

As the Ontario government considers making digital and virtual processes permanent under the Condo Act beyond December 31st, 2021, industry is addressing various privacy concerns managers and board members have been inquiring about.

Can condo corporations provide owner information to third party providers? What privacy legislation applies to condos? Can owners opt out of email service? These were just three questions answered at a recent Condo Advisor webinar in February.

Electronic notifications

While owners previously needed to consent to electronic notifications for preliminary notices or notices of a meeting, that no longer applies right now. At least until the end of May, an owner is also not allowed to opt out of email notifications.

Some owners might say they never consented to receiving an email, requesting a paper copy instead. Some may desire to “opt out of email service.” The question of “can they” remains uncertain, but it’s something the province needs to examine, said condo lawyer Rod Escayola of Gowling WLG, pointing to a section under the Condo Act that deals with address of service.

“Now the default address of service would likely be the unit, but an owner under section 47 (4) of the Act could say, “’no, actually, I’m not going to accept service at the unit,’” he said. “Imagine a situation where you’re leasing your unit out and an owner could also advise a corporation that they’re not going to accept it by mail at the municipal address or at the door.”

A corporation can serve at the municipal address of record (where Canada Post mail is accepted), but an owner could opt out of that. “So, I can envision a situation where an owner would also be able to opt out of email service,” he said. “That’s something I think that the province needs to turn its mind to.”

Meanwhile, there are certain paper documents that should be sent via mail; legal proceedings for instance, as it’s important to know they arrived at the correct destination and not a spam folder. “If you’re dealing with a question of arrears, I certainly would send it by email, but I would also send a copy at the municipal address or at the address of service you have on record,” said Escayola

Anti-spam legislation

Canadian Anti-Spam Legislation (CASL) does not apply in condos where various documents emailed between the corporation and owners or management and owners is considered legitimate. Rather, it’s more geared to commercial electronic messages that ‘encourage participation in a commercial activity’, said condo lawyer David Plotkin. This relates to “purchasing, selling, bartering a product, or providing a business.”

PIPEDA and personal information best practices

The Personal Information Protection and Electronic Documents Act (PIPEDA) is a law protecting the personal information of Canadian consumers. According to the federal privacy commissioner, organizations covered by PIPEDA must obtain an individual’s consent when they collect, use or disclose that individual’s personal information. Any personal, identifiable information (address, email, phone number, location, etc.) can only be used for the purposes for which it was collected.

There’s no “judicial answer” or court ruling confirming whether PIPEDA applies in condominiums as it does to commercial activities, said condo lawyer Graeme Macpherson, suggesting every corporation still conduct themselves as if PIPEDA applies to them. “That would mean that it’s worth looking into appointing a privacy officer for your condominium to ensure that you’re complying with PIPEDA,” he said. “In order to do that, the best practice is to probably implement a privacy policy.”

He also laid out some best practices, namely treating any personal information collected with the utmost care. “You only disclose what absolutely has to be disclosed. You keep the private information and personal information as close to your chest as you can, and you ensure that any collection or disclosure of private information that you are engaged in, you have to make sure that’s in accordance with the Condominium Act.”

Information for third-party service providers

Since personal information must often be shared with third-party service providers—for example, owners’ names and email addresses for electronic voting processes—this disclosure brings concerns over any potential breach of rights and privacy. “While we know that PIPEDA likely doesn’t apply to condos that doesn’t mean you can just go around and disclose all sorts of information,” said Escayola. “You’ve got to provide the information that’s required for the purpose of the task that you’re delegating. You’re basically delegating a task to a service provider in order to gain some efficiencies and by doing that you transfer this information for the purpose of processing it only.”

When transferring information, corporations must do whatever they can to ensure the information is being sent to trustworthy people who have safeguards in place to preserve it.

“You want to make sure that they’re not going to disclose this information to a third party or to somebody else,” he said. “And they’re not going to use that to suddenly spam you with an invitation to various cruises or to buy books or to whatever it is, right? So, as long as you’re transferring only the information that’s required for the purpose that it is required, and you’re doing so in the context where there’s a clear agreement with a service provider as to how they will treat that information, then you’re good.”

What information do third-party service providers need? According to Adam Acuri of CondoVoter, it’s fairly basic. A template for an owner’s list, ensures that his company is only receiving the required information. “If that unit is in arrears we don’t need any other information other than just notifying that they are in arrears or not in arrears.”

Voting privacy

Should corporations be able to obtain a preview of voting results? Condo lawyer Denise Lash of Lash Condo Law says there’s a difference between knowing if there will be enough votes to pass a bylaw versus knowing the preliminary results of board directors/candidates.

“I think some of the reason that this has been a bit complicated is because of advance voting versus electronic proxies,” she noted. “When you’re dealing with advanced voting, those are votes that are pretty much like putting a ballot in a ballot box, although you can change your electronic vote all the way from when you start two weeks ahead of the meeting until the meeting itself.

With electronic proxies, and proxies, you can actually see the votes. So you can see who has voted for whom. Part of the problem here is that if you’re using an electronic proxy system you get to see how the directors are doing, and details as to how a bylaw vote is going, and I’m not sure that’s how it should be.”

Josée Deslongchamps, president and principal condominium manager at DES Services, said that within her corporations, proxies have always been addressed directly to the board and opened at registration. “You don’t know in advance whether or not you’re going to achieve what you’re trying to do at that meeting and I think that’s proper,” she said. “That’s protecting the integrity of the voting process. I want to know whether or not I have sufficient votes come in to hold the meeting. Do I have quorum?”

In the virtual world condos are embracing, however, boards might not know beforehand if there are enough votes to meet quorum. “In real life, and the in-person meetings, you’d look in the room and if you don’t have 50 per cent of the ownership present then you know you won’t be able to proceed to a vote,” said Escayola. “Then you can invite a motion from the floor and then you can adjourn the meeting and then you can postpone that vote at a later date.”

With virtual meetings, the practice of adjourning is stirring up scrutiny. “Should you know that owners have voted in favour of a bylaw before you decide to adjourn?” posed Lash, adding that some third-party service providers are being asked if a bylaw has been voted in favour so they can adjourn the meeting and get more votes in favour.

Yet another popular topic: awareness of voting results during a meeting. ‘I want to know the numbers,’ is a question condo lawyers are often asked. “There’s nothing that prescribes that you must divulge the exact numbers of who was voted in,” said Plotkin. “Our practice has been not to divulge those numbers. It’s very easy to say who has been elected and there are certain records of the corporation that are held on the back end.”

A record can alway be requested after the meeting. “You have a scrutineer’s report that scrutineers of the meeting would register with the condominium corporation,” added Katherine Gow, vice-president on the board of directors of the Association of Condominium Managers of Ontario. “Sometimes the reason why folks do want to have that information announced at the meeting is they feel it may stop somebody from making a records request after.

But I tend to believe that that’s something that is the natural course of business, and I want to make sure that as many people as possible who may be interested [in serving] as directors run in elections. I don’t want. . . anybody to be discouraged because they didn’t get a grand number of votes.”

First-of-its-kind certification for chairing virtual meetings

More than 70 board members and condominium managers recently completed a two-day workshop to earn the industry’s first certification for chairing virtual meetings.

Ontario’s temporary legislative amendments to the Condo Act related to virtual meetings permit corporations to call and hold virtual owner meetings until May 31, 2021. There is talk that these changes could become permanent beyond this date.

As such, the CAI Canada certification attempts to equip condo corporations with better tools to manage virtual meetings, which are now an everyday occurrence.

According to CAI Canada, it’s a chance “to learn the fine distinction between chairing an in-person meeting versus a virtual meeting.” Education is geared towards building skills and gaining more virtual confidence. A few topics covered in the workshop include: structuring the meeting with new technology and voting platforms; developing these script, agenda and presentation; creating a professional meeting culture; how to call motions; and tips for increasing participation.

Future certifications and also one at an advanced level are currently being considered.

Ontario promises funds for gathering spaces

Grants will be available to help Ontario’s cultural and faith-based organizations ensure their gathering spaces comply with public health requirements. Further details and an application portal for the $50-million fund announced in the 2021 provincial budget are promised for later this spring.

The funds are earmarked for eligible organizations that: operate facilities where their membership is meant to meet; have faced additional costs related to the pandemic; and have not been eligible for other COVID-19 relief programs for small businesses. The budget document states the grants will “provide meaningful support and help offset costs associated with making these facilities safe for regular community gatherings.”

Best of KBIS 2021 winners revealed

The 2021 Kitchen & Bath Industry Show (KBIS) has announced its “Best of KBIS 2021” award winners. The annual awards recognize the most innovative new kitchen and bath products introduced at KBIS Virtual.

THE WINNERS

Best of Show: Dekton Craftizen Collection by Cosentino

Designed specifically for flooring and cladding, Craftizen pays homage to the craftsman techniques and revisits the beauty of Venetian stucco powered by Dekton’s unique advantages for modern interior designers and their clients. The five colors — Albarium, Argenta, Micron, Nacre and Umber — deliver a range of warm hues coupled with an innovative, rich stucco-like texture.

Kitchen Gold: Emtek Select Knobs by Emtek

A collection of mix-and-match styles and finishes for knobs, stem and rosettes. Choose all three component parts in the same trend-forward finish, in three distinct finishes or any option in between. Available in three knob designs (White Marble, Knurled or Straight Knurled) with seven finishes, and pair with any style rosette in any combination of available finishes.

Kitchen Silver: Flo by Moen Smart Sump Pump Monitor

This device uses smart technology to help reduce the risk of flooding as a result of failed sump pumps by providing continuous monitoring and alerts when potential failures are detected.

Bath Gold: GC Touchless Faucet by TOTO

The faucet is powered by TOTO’s new EcoPower self-generating hydropower technology (no hardwiring or routine battery replacement). At a mere 0.35 gpm, it generates the power for the sensor faucet’s operation.

Bath Silver: Kohler Moxie Showerhead + Wireless Speaker with Amazon Alexa

The showerhead features a full-coverage spray, while the portable speaker delivers specialized tuning for the unique acoustic dynamics of the bathroom.

Impact Gold: TandemLED by Task Lighting

TandemLED, named for its unique two-wire (tandem) operation, is a patent-pending, tunable white LED lighting technology that adjusts LED lights from Warm White 2700K to Daylight White 5000K, all while allowing the user to adjust the light output from dim to bright.

Impact Silver: LG Studio WashTower

This sleek, single-unit laundry solution takes up half the floor space while tackling ultra-large loads. It enables consumers to reinvent their laundry room design with convenient controls, built-in intelligence and advanced cleaning.

What you really need to know about commercial cleaning

The Association of Residential Cleaning Services International (ARCSI), a Division of ISSA, is holding a commercial cleaning webinar, Opening the Door to Commercial Cleaning, on April 20.

The webinar will guide participants through a step-by-step process with the aim of showing them how to profitably grow or develop a commercial division in their cleaning company.

Whether it’s a few commercial accounts or creating an entire division, this free session will involve Sharon L. Cowan CBSE and her panel answering questions and sharing their experiences – both good and bad.

Experts will discuss important areas such as marketing, pricing and estimating, staffing, training, supervision and quality to assure longevity of accounts. Each panellist will share some of the hurdles and mindset changes they had to make in order to reap the rewards of commercial cleaning. The panel will also take questions, which can be sent in advance to [email protected].

Panellists for the event include:

RJ Patel, PCT Cleaning & PCT Disinfecting
Gosia Baran, Helping Hands Cleaning & PCT Disinfecting
Shelley Powell, Covenant Cleaning Orlando

The topics discussed will include:

Marketing: How to market and message effectively to the commercial market bring in a stream of new accounts.
Pricing and Estimating: What’s so different about pricing, estimating and margins? We’ll explain why you won’t win accounts with residential pricing.
Staffing: Who do you get to clean at night? The ideal profile of a nighttime janitorial cleaning team. Using daytime cleaners to staff nighttime accounts and why that’s a bad idea.
Quality and longevity of accounts: How to assure quality delivery of service continuously and keep the long-term life of an account.

Registration is US$35 or free for ARCSI members. Learn more about the webinar here.

How Durable is Your Building?

Building durability is affected by many factors, exposure to the elements being the primary culprit. Moisture and decay caused by rain, heat, wind, snow, and extreme temperature fluctuations make location and the surrounding weather conditions key considerations for determining the right products and materials to use during construction or renovation.

Beyond exposure to the elements, not all products are manufactured to the same quality, and when assembled poorly, there may be weaknesses. Additionally, regular maintenance may be an important requirement to prolong your asset, particularly in fluctuating climates or regions prone to seismic activity.

If building durability and long-term resilience are the goals, those looking to build or renovate should choose their materials wisely for their specific location and design. Here, Bryan Colvin of RJC Engineers, walks us through the pros and cons of four common building materials:

MASONRY

Pros: One of the oldest and most durable building materials around, masonry either in stone or brick form, has been used in construction for centuries. Known for their high wear-resistance and thermal insulation, they come in a variety of shapes, sizes, and categories including larger blocks for foundations and the classic burnt clay bricks often used in walls.

“Masonry offers numerous advantages beyond their aesthetic appeal. They have excellent high compressive strength and they are porous, meaning they are able to release and absorb moisture to regulate temperature and humidity within the structure,” says Colvin. “Another benefit of masonry is that it has a high fire protection rating.”

Cons: Working with masonry can be time-consuming, and it is not recommended for high seismic zones. Another disadvantageous is that it absorbs moisture, which can lead to mould-growth and the regular need for cleaning.

WOOD

Pros: One of the great things about wood is that it comes from a natural resource abundantly found in Canada. Thanks to engineering advances, new protective treatments for lumber, and a collective desire for “greener” buildings, building codes are changing to allow for taller structures made predominantly of mass timber. As a result, we are seeing a revival of wood construction—but is wood safe and durable?

Not only is mass timber lightweight compared to other materials, but it is also incredibly durable. Wood is simple to work with and can be cut right on site, speeding up the construction process and potentially saving money.

Cons: Age, temperature, and environmental humidity are all factors that can make wood warp. Additionally, it is a plant-based substance, meaning it is more sensitive to pests. Of course, then there is the matter of flammability — wood is a material that burns unlike others. But new treatments and innovation are making these issues less of a concern.

CONCRETE

Pros: Concrete has a lot going for it, largely because it is widely available and inexpensive compared to other construction materials. Made of cement, water and aggregates, fresh concrete is flowable and can be poured into various forms, making it extremely versatile and easy to work with.

“Concrete can withstand water better than wood and steel, therefore it less prone to deterioration,” Colvin says. “When reinforced with rebar, concrete is an ideal material for walls, beams, slabs, foundations, frames and many other applications, and it’s also the most economical.”

Cons: Compared to other binding materials, the tensile strength of concrete is relatively low, requiring rebar, which can corrode if left unprotected with good concrete cover or other surface treatments to reduce permeability.

STEEL

Pros: Steel is immensely strong and does not easily warp, buckle, twist or bend. In other words, steel buildings are highly durable, allowing them to withstand extreme weather conditions including hurricanes, blizzards, and even earthquakes. Steel is also resistant to termites, cracks, splitting, and rotting.

Cons: “The cost to produce steel may be higher than other materials, and when it comes to fire resistance steel is weaker compared to concrete,” says Colvin. “Another disadvantage is that steel is heavy and expensive to transport.”

In conclusion, Colvin says that while all building materials offer numerous advantages, ultimately location and design will have a direct effect on building durability. “Additionally, regularly maintenance will help extend the functional life of any building,” he says.

Visit www.rjc.ca for more information on building materials, or contact Bryan Colvin directly.

Quebec employers encouraged to take on trainees

Quebec employers will be eligible for an enhanced refundable tax credit if they employ and/or invest in training interns during the next 13 months. The newly released 2021 provincial budget provides a 25 per cent top-up to the existing credit for trainees enrolled between March 25, 2021 and April 30, 2022. For corporations, that equates to a 30 to 40 per cent refund of qualified expenses, while individual employers are eligible for a 15 to 20 per cent refund.

“The public health crisis has been extremely disruptive to youth entering the job market. On-the-job training is an advantageous way to complement their education and find a job,” Quebec Finance Minister Éric Girard said as he announced the temporary measure.

The tax credit applies for expenses associated with a minimum of 140 hours of on-the-job training for fulltime secondary, university or college students, apprentices in technical or vocational programs or enrollees in other recognized educational institutions. That can include students’ salaries to a maximum of $21 per hour and/or staff supervisory hours up to $35/hour for a maximum of 10 or 20 hours per week depending on the training program or up to double those hours for interns with a disability. Eligible expenses are capped at $700, $800 or $1,225 per week based on allowable supervisory hours.

Corporations and individual employers can receive the higher tax credit, of 40 per cent or 20 per cent respectively, if an intern is an immigrant, Aboriginal or disabled person or if the training occurs in one of 11 designated “remote resource regions”. Otherwise, the rate will be 30 per cent and 15 per cent respectively.

The Quebec government has budgeted $14 million for the temporary enhancement — estimating that it will flow through to approximately 4,000 employers and 12,000 interns or apprentices.

“The current public health crisis has disrupted the entry of young people and new graduates into the labour market, resulting in many of them not being able to secure paid internships in the last year,” the budget document states. “The purpose of the refundable tax credit for on-the-job training periods is to support the efforts of businesses that contribute to the development of the professional competence of students and apprentices.”

Canadians foresee mental health impacts persisting post COVID

Half of Canadians say the pandemic has had an ongoing impact on their mental health and more than four-in-10 think the impact will last long after the pandemic is over, finds a new KPMG survey conducted last week.

“With vaccinations ramping up, Canadians should be seeing the light at the end of the COVID-19 tunnel, but many are anxious that people are getting complacent and no longer exercising needed diligence to remain safe until the bulk of the population has been inoculated,” said Denis Trottier, chief mental health officer, KPMG in Canada.

The survey looked at 1,000 Canadians aged 18-plus from March 17 to 20, 2021, leveraging Delvinia’s AskingCanadians panel through its methodify online research platform.

Among the key findings: 54 per cent say their mental health has suffered during the pandemic; 50 per cent say the pandemic has had an ongoing impact on their mental health; and 42 per cent believe the pandemic will have a lasting impact on their mental health.

A high majority of 89 per cent worry that Canadians are becoming impatient with the lockdowns and will let their guard down, while 87 per cent agreed about remaining vigilant.

Women and Gen Z most affected

The tally of responses also illuminates how the pandemic is affecting the mental wellbeing of women more than men and the 18-24 age demographic more than older Canadians.

Nearly three in five (57 per cent) of women surveyed agreed strongly or somewhat that their mental health has suffered during the pandemic, compared to 50 per cent of men. Fifty-three per cent of women (47 per cent men) said the pandemic has had an ongoing impact on their mental health, and 46 per cent of women (39 per cent men) believe the pandemic will have a lasting impact on their mental health.

More than seven-in-10 (72 per cent) Canadians aged 18-24 said their mental health has suffered during the pandemic with six-in-10 saying it will leave a lasting impact, both a full 18 points higher than the national average.

Trottier says the findings are just one more alert to companies, the health care system, and governments to provide necessary support.

Some “getting through” strategies

As stated in the report, Trottier recommends building a circle of care, putting mental health on the schedule and embracing new habits.

Build your circle of care

You don’t have to be experiencing a mental illness to prepare for future mental health challenges—these ups and downs are a natural part of our lives. Take a moment to think about the people in your life who are in your circle of care. Think about who you can talk to openly about mental health and share your honest challenges and experiences with, as well as who you play that role for.

Put mental health on the agenda

Do this with your teams at work, on your family Zoom catch ups, during virtual happy hours and game nights with friends, and at the dinner table. We may not realize that just asking someone ‘How are you really feeling?’ could well be the moment they needed to share their personal experience and let you in to their circle of care.

Embrace new habits

With lines between work and life getting blurred, it’s important to find ways to implement realistic, new, regular positive habits that support our wellness in the current new reality. There are plenty of great resources out there, such as WellCan, which offers free resources to help Canadians develop new coping strategies and build the resilience needed to deal with their mental health and wellbeing during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Getting Ahead of Property Repairs

When it comes to condo maintenance, planning ahead can pay off. Detecting and addressing minor issues on a building’s exterior or mechanical systems is a proven way of significantly reducing the cost of future repairs and avoiding resident inconveniences. Not to mention, building envelope repairs can often contribute to energy savings, while ongoing preventive maintenance to the building envelope will extend its service life.

The following is a run-down of key building envelope inspection areas and simple preventive maintenance actions that can be undertaken now to prepare for the season ahead.

Mechanical systems

Replace air filters in the building’s primary make-up air units, as well as in suites with heat pumps or fan coils. Dirty filters can decrease airflow in the system and force fans to work harder, thereby decreasing the service life and increasing operating costs. They can also reduce indoor air quality (IAQ) and, in so doing, increase the potential for mould growth. As such, plan to replace air filters about four times a year.
Operate all valves that are part of the domestic plumbing and hydronic HVAC systems at least two times a year. These valves can remain in the same position for years if not exercised as part of a maintenance program, and there is no worse time to discover a valve has seized than when a shutdown is required.
Complete full seasonal maintenance on boilers and chillers/cooling towers, as recommended by their manufacturers. These are best completed during the change-over between heating and cooling seasons.

Exterior walls

Look for wetting patterns, efflorescence (salt deposits), and deterioration below the corners of metal window sill flashings. These are indicators of poor rain deflection at the ends of the sills.
Install drip deflectors at the ends of window sills to promote water flow over the sills and not on the walls.
At areas of deterioration, look for wetting patterns and details causing poor deflection of rainwater. Correct poor rain/snowmelt deflection details.
Install metal drip flashings over brick window sills and at top of masonry walls without flashings since the brick will typically deteriorate much sooner without this protection.

Foundation walls

Raise the height of the grading around the foundation walls where they are settled to promote drainage away from the building. This will reduce the risk of leakage and deterioration of the foundation walls.
Check that roof downpipes and troughs are clear, connected, and directing water away from the building.
Test and check that sump pumps are working properly and are discharging water away from the building.

Sealants (Caulking)

Regularly replace failed sealants (caulking), where provided, to control water penetration and air leakage. Sealants should perform adequately for 10 to 15 years when proper materials and installation practices are employed

Windows and doors

Regularly replace worn and damaged weather-stripping at door and operable window perimeters. Maintaining tight air seals is necessary to control air leakage and drafts which in turn reduces heat loss and energy consumption. As well, tight seals also control rainwater penetration.
Try to use other means of ventilation (e.g., kitchen and bathroom exhaust fans) during colder weather when an apartment does not have an automatic mechanical ventilation system. This is particularly important for apartments with hot water heating and radiators below windows to avoid the potential for burst pipes. If a tenant turns an in-suite thermostat on low and leaves a window open there is an increased risk for a costly pipe burst.

Flat roofs

Remove debris and vegetation at roof drains. Be sure to remove debris at the level of the waterproofing membrane as well for protected membrane systems.
Have a qualified contractor and/or consultant to assess the condition of the roofing system every year or two.
If your roof has recently been replaced, ensure regular warranty inspections are performed to ensure the warranty is not voided.

Sloped roofs and attic spaces

Arrange for an experienced contractor to access the attic space to seal pipe, exhaust duct, wiring and electrical box penetrations at the level of the drywall ceiling and air/vapour barrier. This practice will reduce air leakage from the building interior into the attic space thereby reducing heat loss and energy consumption. These measures will also significantly reduce the risk of ice damming along the roof eaves.
Check the level of insulation. The Ontario Building Code requires a minimum thermal resistance for attic insulation. Although you are not required to upgrade to meet the current code, it may be a good time to consider adding to the existing thickness of the insulation.
Check that adequate venting at the soffit and roof vents is provided and that the soffit baffles are not blocked by insulation to reduce energy/fuel consumption from not only heating, but cooling. Proper venting will extend the life of asphalt shingles and reduce the risk of ice damming provided air sealing at the level of the ceiling is done first.
Install downpipe extensions from upper to lower roofs to avoid accelerated shingle deterioration from increased water runoff and ice damage.

A little preventative maintenance goes a long way towards mitigating larger issues. And as with any building maintenance program, there is value in partnering with qualified contractors and consultants who can leverage their experience to assist with assessing and repairing complex issues.

Dave Moore is President of Pretium Engineering Inc., a specialist building science, structural, and mechanical consulting engineering firm that provides high-quality, evidence-driven services. Contact a local office to see how “Working Together, Better” can work for you.

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Hines office tower design responds to COVID

Hines is partnering with Reliance Properties to build the first new Vancouver office tower designed in response to COVID-19.

“We chose Vancouver for our latest Canadian project because we believe in its world-class economy and future, and this partnership was a natural fit because of Reliance Properties’ commendable track record in the city and our shared values,” said Syl Apps, senior managing director for Hines.

Located on the current site of the Canada Revenue Agency tower at 1166 West Pender, the project is the first for Hines in Vancouver with the company saying the partnership is the most significant activity in the Vancouver office market since the start of the global pandemic.

The office tower’s design will incorporate new health, safety, and wellness initiatives into the building architecture. Hines describes the 32-story AAA building as a globally relevant, next-generation office tower.

“Reliance and Hines initiated and completed the partnership during the global pandemic, and our joint project will be the first post-COVID-19 office tower delivered in Vancouver, prioritizing health, safety and wellness into the design in a way not yet seen,” said Jon Stovell, president and CEO of Reliance Properties.

The tower will target LEED, WELL and WiredScore certifications, and will prioritize improving tenant health and experience through sustainable design and operational strategies.

“The design of 1166 West Pender puts the health, safety and wellness of each of the building’s occupants at the forefront. We know how important that will be to employees as they return to the office post-COVID-19 – and our objective was to design a building in partnership with Reliance that best helps our tenants attract and retain the highest-quality employees and talent in the Vancouver market,” added Apps.

The distinctive architecture of the building allows for the top nine levels to feature private outdoor terraces with breathtaking views, further increasing new health, safety and wellness protocols.

Paul Charette set to retire from Bird Construction

Paul Charette has announced his intention to retire from his position as chairman of the board at Bird Construction. The board intends to appoint Paul Raboud, a long serving board member, as the new chairman at the AGM to be held May 11, 2021.

Charette has served as the chairman of the board since 2001. He joined Bird in 1976 as a project coordinator and progressed to president and chief operating officer in 1988, and to president and chief executive officer in 1991, retiring from this position in September 2008 while continuing on the board.

“I have been fortunate to be associated with Bird for over 40 years and to have had the pleasure of chairing its board for 20 of those years”, said Charette, adding, “I’ve had the pleasure of being part of a great success story and assisting to guide Bird to its centennial anniversary, celebrated last year. It has been a privilege and I look forward to continuing my association with Bird as member of its board, especially as we continue to integrate Stuart Olson into our operations and continue to grow profitably and successfully.”

Raboud joined Bird in 1984 and served as president and CEO after Charette and before joining the board in 2008.

“Paul is very knowledgeable about our industry and our company and is particularly well situated to assume the role of chairman of the board”, said Charette. “I have enjoyed working with Paul over the years and look forward to continuing to collaborate with him in our new roles. Given our considerable history working together in the company and at the board table, there will be a seamless transition to Paul Raboud as chair.”

Heat Happens: Lessons on Cooling and Comfort

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