Institutional investment in Canadian commercial real estate began to rebound last year and is projected to keep ticking up in 2026. JLL reports institutional investors — including fund managers, pension funds, REITs and foreign investors — deployed nearly $15 billion toward Canadian assets in 2025, representing about one third of investment deal volume for the year and their largest share of acquisitions since 2021.

“Since these groups generally encompass the largest and most experienced investment funds in the market, this resurgence underscores a consensus that Canada is entering a new capital cycle characterized by stronger market fundamentals and improving returns,” observes the real estate advisory firm’s newly released overview of 2025 performance and expected 2026 trends.

CBRE Canada likewise identifies institutional investors as a driving component of acquisitional momentum this year. The firm is forecasting an 8 per cent year-over-year increase in deal volume, pushing it up to about $56 billion worth of activity over the course of 2026.

“Global capital is also increasingly looking to Canada as a market of relative stability amid rising geopolitical tensions. Meanwhile, a significant rebound in real estate debt markets has supported greater liquidity across all asset classes, including the office sector,” CBRE analysts state in the firm’s recently released 2026 outlook report.

On the flipside, Canadian institutional investors pulled back from the United States last year. MSCI chief economist, Jim Costello, charted the decline while speaking in Toronto in conjunction with the release of the 2025 results of the MSCI REALPAC Canada Property Index earlier this month. While Canadian investors as a whole continue to hold more assets in the U.S. than any other foreign market, activity decreased to a record low share of outbound capital last year.

“Canadians were net sellers of U.S. real estate in 2025. They sold a whole lot more than they bought,” Costello reported.

Nevertheless, a surge in data centre investment, to the tune of about CAD $2 billion, somewhat masked that imbalance. Costello identified the emergent alternative sector as one alluring element of an otherwise less-than-compelling investment landscape.

“The returns have turned positive, but still not so fantastic. You can earn more investing in debt in the United States today than you can investing in the equity stack,” he said. “That’s a good reason for Canadian investors to not be thinking about the United States at the moment, and when you pile all the uncertainty coming from the geopolitics on top of it, it’s not surprising to me that you see a pullback.”

Canadian content rules explored for tax credits

The Canadian government is considering how its agenda to support domestic manufacturers and technology providers could meld with goals to decarbonize the buildings and energy sectors. A public consultation has been launched to seek opinions on the viability of introducing Canadian content requirements for federal investment tax credits tied to clean technology and clean electricity.

Under existing rules, commercial building owners are among the proponents eligible to claim credits for up to 30 per cent of qualifying costs associated with the purchase and installation of various designated clean technologies, including air-source heat pumps, wind and solar energy systems and stationary electricity storage systems. Entities in the electricity generation and transmission sectors can claim tax credits for up to 15 per cent of the eligible costs of low-carbon generating systems, stationary electricity storage systems and inter-provincial transmission equipment.

Contemplated Canadian content rules could complement recently introduced protocol to guide federal government procurement in “strategic” economic sectors. For now, that prioritizes Canadian suppliers and products/materials when contracts with a minimum value of $25 million are awarded, but the rules are slated to apply to contracts with a minimum value of $5 million by springtime this year. Canadian suppliers are promised additional points in the tendering process and all bids are to be assessed for “inclusion of Canadian goods, services and value-added content” in contract delivery.

There are also new rules for procurement for federal buildings, infrastructure and defence spending that mandate the use of domestically produced steel, aluminum and wood products. Those are in effect for contracts valued at a least $25 million that require at least $250,000 worth of any one type of material/product for which there are Canadian suppliers in the marketplace.

The recently launched consultation delves into the potential pros and cons of integrating domestic content requirements with clean tech and clean electricity investment tax credits. Respondents are asked for input on:

whether such rules could support or undermine their business activities and supply chains;
what products should be covered or exempted;
what processes and documentation should be used to verify product origin; and
what the consequences should be for failing to comply with Canadian content requirements.

“Other countries, including the U.S., have incorporated domestic content requirements in their clean electricity tax credits to encourage the use of domestic materials and equipment. In Canada, stakeholders have called for similar measures to strengthen domestic supply chains and support Canadian manufacturers,” the prelude to the consultation questions states.

Energy management and decarbonization specialists caution that Canadian manufacturers still have a long way to go before they’ll be in a position to forge competitive market share for some of the equipment and systems fundamental to switching away from fossil fuel heating sources. However, the consultation does present an opening for the buildings sector to make a case for broadening the range of technologies that qualify for the investment tax credit.

“Most of the commercial cold climate heat pumps available in Canada are manufactured in the USA, Mexico, Japan, Italy or elsewhere outside the country,” says Eric Chisholm, co-founder and principal with the engineering and sustainability consulting firm, Purpose Building. “Bluntly introducing Canadian content restrictions for investment tax credits will undermine program participation. To meet emissions reduction targets, participation will need to increase, not decrease, and there are already barriers in the existing program.”

“Today, key technologies like heat pumps are not yet manufactured in Canada at the scale needed. Targeted collaboration with manufacturers is essential to avoid increasing construction costs or slowing the green building economy,” concurs Thomas Mueller, president and chief executive officer of the Canada Green Building Council (CAGBC). “Energy efficient and low carbon technologies are increasingly important to investors, and Canadian asset owners and developers need reliable access and competitive pricing to meet project financial goals.”

Chisholm underscores the risk of skewing the market toward monopoly providers and argues content restrictions would be best applied in product categories where there are a number of different Canadian competitors. Enabling more choice for prospective investors could also have flow-through benefits for those feeding the supply chain.

“Heat recovery heat pumps, or heat recovery chillers, are a foundational decarbonization technology that doesn’t qualify for an investment tax credit currently. Including them as eligible technology could quickly accelerate market participation,” he urges.

The public consultation is open for submissions until March 13, 2026.

New stal̕əw̓asəm Bridge fully opens in B.C.

All four lanes on the stal̕əw̓asəm (Riverview) Bridge opened to vehicle traffic on Saturday, Feb. 14, marking a milestone for people travelling between Surrey and New Westminster.

“The stal̕əw̓asəm Bridge is a new regional landmark,” said Minister of Transportation and Transit Mike Farnworth. “I’d like to thank the crews tasked with the monumental job of building this major piece of infrastructure for their hard work and for delivering a bridge that is going to support safe, reliable travel for commuters, truck drivers, pedestrians and cyclists.”

The new bridge features four wider lanes with a centre median and barrier-separated walking and cycling lanes. It optimizes the use of the existing road network and travel patterns to improve safety, reliability and efficiency for everyone and is built to modern seismic, structural and roadway-design standards.

Work on the multi-use path connections to the bridge will continue.

The stal̕əw̓asəm Bridge is a single tower cable-stay bridge, which differentiates it from the Alex Fraser and Port Mann bridges. Each cable has up to 80 strands, and the longest cable on the main span is approximately 300 metres.

The total length is 1,235 metres, equivalent to more than 12 Canadian football fields.
There are approximately 62,400 cubic metres of concrete in the bridge.

Fraser Crossing Partners was selected by the province to design, build and partially finance the project. This is a 50/50 joint venture between Aecon and Acciona

“Aecon is incredibly proud to deliver the stal̕əw̓asəm (Riverview) Bridge, a vital crossing that will enhance safety and provide an improved east-to-west corridor for the growing communities of Surrey and New Westminster. The opening of the stal̕əw̓asəm Bridge marks the culmination of years of dedication, problem-solving, and collaboration across every part of the Fraser Crossing Partners team working alongside the Province of British Columbia,” said Jean-Louis Servranckx, president and CEO, Aecon.

With the stal̕əw̓asəm Bridge open, deconstruction of the Pattullo Bridge is now underway. This is necessary to complete construction of the Columbia Street on-ramp, Highway 17 off-ramp and some connections for the new multi-use paths.

Crews have mobilized equipment and are conducting preparatory activities ahead of concrete and steel removal.

Removal of the Pattullo Bridge will take approximately two years to complete.

Newby joins Perkins & Will’s board of directors

Derek Newby has joined Perkins & Will’s board of directors after more than a decade with the firm, where he has worked across nearly every stage of practice.

He first joined the firm in 2011 as a project architect, leading design, documentation, and construction delivery for public- and private-sector clients across Western Canada. After a brief departure in 2020, he returned in 2023 and was appointed managing director of the Vancouver and Calgary studios, along with regional responsibility for supporting strategic growth and coordination across Canada.

Newby’s work sits at the intersection of environmental responsibility and human experience. He has long championed low-carbon design, Passive House principles, and the responsible use of mass timber.

“Architecture and urban design are acts of optimism,” said Newby. “At our best, we help clients and communities navigate complexity with care, judgment, and imagination. I see real opportunity for our profession to lead with confidence on sustainability, human experience, and the responsible use of emerging technologies, including AI.”

As a board member, Newby will help connect Perkins&Will’s studios more closely with one another and with the broader Sidara Collaborative, encouraging shared learning and collective problem-solving. He intends to advance Living Design while helping position the firm to deliver more resilient, future-ready outcomes in response to climate pressures and emerging technologies.

“Great outcomes come from shared knowledge and shared purpose,” he said. “By strengthening connections across our studios and disciplines, we can elevate our impact and help clients navigate change with confidence and care.”

New below-market rental homes coming to Burnaby, BC

Construction is underway on 116 new below‑market rental homes in Burnaby’s Metrotown neighbourhood, marking a significant step in expanding housing options for the area’s middle‑income residents. The project is part of a broader effort by the government to create homes close to transit, services, and employment, in an effort to help people stay rooted in their communities while reducing the financial pressures of long commutes.

Located at 6337 Cassie Avenue, the new homes are being delivered through a partnership between the Province of B.C., the federal government, the City of Burnaby, and Waterleaf Housing Society—a non-profit created by Wesgroup Properties to develop and manage affordable rental housing. Supported by nearly $20 million in provincial grants through BC Builds, the project replaces aging rental stock with modern, energy‑efficient homes designed to remain affordable for decades.

The redevelopment forms part of Reign, a high‑density community that prioritizes long‑term affordability and transit‑oriented living. Once complete, Waterleaf Housing Society will own and operate all 16 below‑market rental units, including 92 one‑bedroom and 24 two‑bedroom homes. Construction is underway, with the building expected to open its doors in 2028.

“This project is a great example of how collaboration between government and the private sector can deliver more affordable homes for Burnaby families, said Mike Hurley, mayor of Burnaby. “Providing these homes at below-market rates will help foster the vibrant and diverse neighbourhoods that make our city so special.”

Steps from Metrotown SkyTrain station, the location adds another layer of benefit. Research from Metro Vancouver’s 2025 Housing and Transportation Cost Burden Study shows that transportation is one of the largest household expenses and can sometimes exceed housing costs. Households living in transit‑rich areas can save $10,000 to $20,000 annually on combined housing and transportation. By situating new homes in a dense, transit‑oriented community, the project helps residents reduce car dependence and redirect savings toward essentials like childcare, education, and daily living costs.

“We are making sure people have access to homes that support their daily routines through BC Builds,” said Christine Boyle, B.C.’s Minister of Housing and Municipal Affairs. “By replacing aging units with new homes close to transit, schools and the services people rely on, we’re helping more people stay connected to their community, reduce long commutes and build stability for the long term.”

Click here to learn more about this project.

Canadian Apartment Archive

Canadian Apartment – May-June 2026

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RECO updates claimants on iPro payments

Agents affected by the iPro matter are being fully compensated for eligible commission protection claims. The Real Estate Council of Ontario (RECO) announced that as of February 17, payments have been made available for at least 1107 claims, representing about half of all claims on closed real estate transactions where commission is owed.

The insurer, supported by RECO, has also reported that:

Full payment of all eligible commission protection claims has now been made available to claimants who previously received initial 50 per cent pro-rated payments;
Payments are being made on a continuous, rolling basis as soon as the requested banking information and other required documents are provided; and
Once claims are processed for eligibility, claimants are encouraged to work with the insurer to provide the required documents so payments can be made available.

“We know how challenging this situation has been for the hardworking agents involved, and we remain committed to minimizing the financial impact on them,” said Jean Lépine, administrator and acting CEO for RECO. “That’s why it’s so important that we also continue to work with the sector to strengthen trust account oversight, and prevent misuse of funds in the future.”

RECO’s civil proceedings to recover trust account shortfalls continue.

Best practices to lower your insurance risk

As we enter the new year, there is no shortage of challenges for real estate owners and investors to navigate—but there are also reasons for optimism. Those who respond thoughtfully to emerging risks will be best positioned to come out ahead.

Uncertainty will persist through 2026, driven by pressures on profitability, ongoing talent shortages, catastrophic weather events, and rising cyber threats. Yet some relief is beginning to take shape. The Bank of Canada’s two reductions to the overnight lending rate last fall will help ease financial strain, but the most meaningful advantage for many owners may come from potential reductions in insurance premiums. Competition for favourable policies will remain intense, but well‑maintained buildings and carefully managed risk exposures will give owners a clear edge.

Staffing issues

At the same time, property owners are struggling to find qualified property managers in both the rental and the condo markets. With nearly half of property managers at or above 50 years of age, it can be a challenge to find an experienced professional to manage multi-residential buildings. Creative employee benefits packages may be the best way to attract experienced professionals to the team, but not without improved training opportunities and stronger compensation.

Cybersecurity

Cybersecurity is another major risk facing real estate owners in 2026. Although many building owners say they are confident they can protect their holdings—and their tenants—the truth is that real estate companies are prime targets for cyber risk, including business email compromise and wire fraud schemes. Real estate owners and investors will need to learn how to manage these risks to avoid falling victim to a potentially catastrophic scam.

Risk management

Underwriters will look favourably on properties with updated valuations and accurate cost projections, as well as a strong risk story and demonstrated risk management strategies. The key will be the degree of competition from underwriters and understanding which class of real estate they are targeting. Consulting with a local broker can help deliver optimal results in 2026.

Best practices to protect your business

For apartment owners, here are four strategies that can help protect your bottom line, support your employees and build resilience in the coming year:

Accelerate your risk maturity.

With so many growing threats to real estate investments, owners and investors have to look carefully at their holdings and make educated decisions. Consider taking on higher deductibles to reduce premiums and alternative risk transfer vehicles.

Analyze loss trends.

Scrutinize any large losses and craft a risk story to share with carriers. Focus on what you’re doing to prevent future claims and revisit alternative risk vehicles regularly.

Increase workforce engagement through benefits.

Attract and retain employees by introducing a benefits strategy based on personalized benefits. Work with your benefits expert to identify the right ways to attract and retain those employees.

Treat your broker like a team member.

Your broker can be your biggest asset. But don’t spring new information on them at the last minute. Share major business changes, exposures and insurance needs well ahead of the renewal cycle so they can identify the best options and help you secure appropriate coverage – even within your budget.

Drew Fenton is the real estate practice leader for global insurance brokerage Hub International in Toronto.

Chandos completes King Thunderbird Centre

Chandos Construction celebrates the completion of okimaw peyesew kamik (King Thunderbird Centre), a purpose-built facility developed in partnership with Boyle Street Community Services in Edmonton.

Located on a redeveloped 2.5-acre site in the McCauley neighbourhood, the centre brings Boyle Street’s previously dispersed services into one place.

The 85,000-square-foot facility repurposes an existing commercial office building into a modern community and staff centre. The new space now serves as Boyle Street’s primary hub, bringing more than 200 staff members together to better support thousands of individuals each year through housing, health services, system navigation, and wraparound care.

The project involved extensive upgrades and site redevelopment, including improvements to the exterior building envelope, a complete interior fit-out, new building systems, and the installation of the geothermal field.

Exterior work included land re-grading, removal of an existing ramp, and the creation of new walkways, private outdoor spaces, and community gardens. Landscaping influenced by Indigenous art and design supports intuitive movement through the site and helps manage the flow of clients, staff, and visitors.

“The intent of this building was to bring Boyle Street’s services together into one home base, allowing their teams to work more collaboratively and serve the community more effectively. We are excited to help see this goal come to fruition,” said Matt Gustafson, project manager with Chandos Construction. “The existing building structure and tight project footprint made for a challenging project that demanded ongoing planning and collaboration between Chandos, our trade partners and Boyle Street.”

The centre attained Zero Carbon Building Design v3 certification, which was accomplished by reusing the existing structure and leveraging the existing embodied carbon, giving it a second life and avoiding the addition of more carbon intensive materials to achieve the build.

B.C. real estate sector gets PST surprise

Commercial and residential landlords and strata corporations in British Columbia face a 7 per cent increase on some key operational costs later this fall when provincial sales tax (PST) will be added to the purchase price of property management, security and accounting services and non-residential brokerage fees. These new levies, along with the introduction of 2.1 per cent PST on architectural, engineering and geoscience services, were announced in the 2026 provincial budget earlier this week, and are projected to generate roughly $534 million in revenue once they’re in place for the full 2027-28 fiscal year.

Formal adoption of the budget bill is still pending, but the new tax is scheduled to kick in Oct. 1, 2026. In justifying the move, the B.C. government notes that most other Canadian provinces already tax professional services, albeit with the obvious exception of Alberta, which does not collect provincial sales tax.

“B.C.’s economy has shifted significantly towards services, which have largely remained untaxed under the PST. B.C. currently has the narrowest sales tax base of all Canadian provinces that have a sales tax,” the budget document states.

The consumers in line for new costs don’t necessarily see it that way. While acknowledging the B.C. government is looking for new sources of revenue in response to daunting constraints elsewhere in the economy, industry advocates suggest targeting the housing and buildings sector will have repercussions for affordability and business competitiveness.

“With office occupancy and vacancy rates still not returned to normal, added costs will not help, but will only hinder our progress,” maintains Zach Segal, director of government relations with the Building Owners and Managers Association (BOMA) of British Columbia. “Adding costs to property management and several other building services, such as architecture, engineering and security, will make it more expensive for small businesses to lease space and run their business.”

“If you want affordable housing, it seems misdirected,” concurs David Hutniak, chief executive officer of the rental housing industry association, LandlordBC. “Licensed property managers deliver an important service to our sector. They’re the ones managing the tenant relationships and we really don’t need an extra cost for that.”

The new tax fallout might have been more muted for many business operators, including commercial landlords, if British Columbia had not withdrawn from the harmonized sales tax (HST) arrangement with the federal government in 2013.

“There is no ability for the purchaser (in B.C.) to recover the PST paid on those services,” advises Laura Gheorghiu, a tax lawyer and partner with Gowling WLG. “If this were an HST environment, an input tax credit (ITC) could be available provided the expenses were incurred in the course of commercial activities, the recipient was validly GST/HST registered and the other criteria for claiming the ITC were met.”

However, those other criteria exclude rental housing providers in any case. LandlordBC is now grappling with the implications of a raft of new unexpected costs. Hutniak confirms he will be voicing his members’ dissatisfaction to both B.C.’s Minister of Finance, Brenda Bailey, and Minister of Housing, Christine Boyle.

“We saw it for the first time when the budget was tabled. It just came out of the blue, and basically everything that’s on that list (for application of PST), our industry uses,” he says. “I’m confident the Housing Minister, in particular, is acutely aware of how difficult it is to deliver rental housing so it’s just really odd they targeted us.”

The 2026 budget also includes a tax boost for many holders of undeveloped residential land. As of Jan. 1, 2027, the provincial school tax surcharge on residential property valued in excess of $3 million will increase from 0.2 per cent to 0.3 per cent on the portion of assessed value up to $4 million, and climb from 0.4 to 0.6 per cent on the remainder of assessed value above $4 million.

For property taxpayers, that translates to a maximum $999 bump-up for the initial increment, and a extra $2,000 per $1 million dollars of assessed value in excess of $4 million. The B.C. government projects it will generate an additional $139 million in revenue through this mechanism in the 2027-28 fiscal year.

The government is additionally revising its formula for calculating school property tax. Increases will now be based on the three-year average annual change in nominal provincial gross domestic product (GDP) — replacing the practice of pegging increases to the inflation rate plus the tax on new construction. That’s projected to yield $31 million in new revenue from non-residential ratepayers and $124 million from residential ratepayers in the 2027-28 fiscal year.

“The share of tax revenue from provincial property taxes has decreased from 14 per cent in 2003/04 to 8 per cent in 2025/26,” the budget document states. “This policy change maintains the property tax base relative to economic growth, in line with other provincial taxes.”

Green Seal announces members of its Technical and Policy Advisory Group

Global non-profit Green Seal® has announced the formation of its Technical and Policy Advisory Group, a standing body of subject matter experts that will advise Green Seal’s Standards Steering Committee on a sweeping transformation of the organization’s standard.

Working in support of the Standards Steering Committee, the advisory group will help define health and environmental performance benchmarks across five of the most meaningful leadership elements for everyday products: safer chemicals, responsible sourcing, low-impact manufacturing, sustainable packaging, and verified performance and claims.

The formation of the Technical and Policy Advisory Group marks another key milestone in Green Seal’s broader effort to align brands, retailers, and manufacturers around clear, credible requirements for safer and more sustainable everyday products and foster widespread adoption of this definition across the marketplace.

“The transformation of our standards framework depends on deep technical expertise and real-world market insight,” said Doug Gatlin, CEO of Green Seal. “This advisory group of experts will help ensure our standard is not only ambitious and science-based, but also clear, practical, and capable of driving meaningful change across the marketplace.”

Members of the Technical and Policy Advisory Group include:

Safer Chemicals

Rich Engler, Director of Chemistry, Bergeson & Campbell, P.C.

Michelle Gaither, Industrial Engineer, Pollution Prevention Resource Center

Lauren Heine, Director of Safer Materials & Data Integrity, ChemFORWARD

Jim Jones, President, J. Jones Consulting

Meg Whittaker, Managing Director & Chief Toxicologist, ToxServices

Responsible Sourcing

Kevin Dooley, Professor of Supply Chain Management, Arizona State University

Ashley Jordan, Corporate Campaign Advocate, Global Nature Program, NRDC

Chris Swensen, Technical Director, New Dawn Manufacturing Company

Low-Impact Manufacturing

Anika de la Flor, Director, Environmental Sustainability, DECIEM

Jamey Gaston, Vice President of Quality, Science, and Regulatory Affairs, Midlab

Linda Kelly, Senior Vice President, Certification Programs, ClimeCo

Sustainable Packaging

Molly Blessing, VP of Sustainability & Product Stewardship, Household & Commercial Products Association

Megan Byers, Program Director, Association of Plastic Recyclers and the U.S. Plastics Pact

Michelle Legatt, Founder & Director, Lab in the Woods

Elizabeth Ritch, Senior Manager, GreenBlue

Verified Performance and Claims

Rebecca Kaufold, Manager of Government Affairs & Sustainability, Spartan Chemical Company, Inc.

Sami Ki, Senior Manager of Sustainability and Product Stewardship, Household & Commercial Products Association

Tony Simas, Fractional CMO+, Client Growth Partners

Advisory group members are industry practitioners with deep expertise in their fields who will play a critical role in ensuring Green Seal’s evolving standards framework remains scientifically rigorous, market-relevant, and feasible. The group will provide evidence-based guidance to shape strategic direction, review and strengthen draft criteria, and support final recommendations to the Steering Committee.

To learn more about Green Seal’s governance structure and standards development process, visit greenseal.org/governance.

BC and Canada partner to accelerate housing construction

British Columbia is moving forward with a major housing boost thanks to a new partnership with the federal government through the Build Canada Homes program. The joint investment is designed to fast‑track construction‑ready housing projects across the province, ensuring more people can access safe, affordable homes sooner.

Under the agreement, B.C. will receive $170 million in federal capital funding. In response, the Province will contribute up to $200 million in capital funding and as much as $27 million annually in operating subsidies over the next decade. With many projects already prepared to break ground, this collaboration will accelerate timelines and expand the number of homes delivered.

“This new funding marks a meaningful collaboration with Canada that shows confidence in the work we’re doing here in B.C. to deliver homes for people,” said Christine Boyle, B.C.’s Minister of Housing and Municipal Affairs. “With many B.C. projects already prepared to move into construction, this additional support means we can break ground faster and deliver more homes sooner for the people who need them most.”

The partnership is expected to advance more than 700 supportive and transitional homes, with priority given to projects that help people transition out of homelessness, provide permanent affordable housing, and address urgent community needs. The federal investment also unlocks an additional $170 million in provincial funding, enabling exploration of future phases that could deliver at least 400 more homes using innovative construction methods.

Federal Housing Minister Gregor Robertson highlighted the national significance of the initiative, noting that Build Canada Homes is designed to turn housing plans into real, tangible results for families: “Through Build Canada Homes, we’re accelerating construction, strengthening communities and delivering real housing solutions that will make life more affordable for families across B.C. and Canada,” he said.

A key component of the strategy is the made‑in‑B.C. Digitally Accelerated Standardized Housing (DASH) program, which uses digital reviews, standardized designs, and Canadian‑made prefabricated components to reduce development timelines from three years to one. This innovation will help ensure homes move from planning to occupancy at a much faster pace.

For more information on B.C.’s housing initiatives, visit gov.bc.ca/homesforpeople.

ACI honoured with 2025’s Changemaker Award

The American Cleaning Institute (ACI), the trade association representing the U.S. cleaning products industry, has been honoured with the Fill it Forward 2025 Changemaker Award in the Social Impact Innovator category by Fill it Forward, the global reuse tracking and impact platform. This prestigious award celebrates organizations that demonstrate extraordinary commitment to improving environmental sustainability and creating positive social outcomes.

Fill it Forward’s annual Changemaker Awards recognize outstanding partners that inspire reuse and leverage everyday actions into measurable impact for people and the planet. ACI stood out among the top honourees for its innovative approaches to fostering sustainability and community engagement within the cleaning products industry.

“We are deeply honoured to receive the Fill it Forward 2025 Changemaker Award for Social Impact Innovator,” said Jennifer Abril, President & CEO of ACI. “This recognition reflects ACI’s ongoing commitment to advancing sustainability, corporate responsibility, and meaningful community partnerships. The cleaning products industry plays a vital role in enhancing public health and protecting the environment, and this award underscores the impact we can make when we all work together.”

ACI’s initiatives – including its industry-wide sustainability challenges, educational outreach, and cross-sector collaborations – have contributed to measurable progress in waste reduction, reuse, and awareness of sustainable practices across businesses and communities. Through these efforts, ACI continues to advance its mission of promoting environmental stewardship and improving quality of life.

The Changemaker Award aligns with Fill it Forward’s mission to inspire global communities to turn small sustainable actions – like reuse – into real-world impact. ACI’s recognition as a Social Impact Innovator Changemaker highlights both its leadership and tangible contributions to systemic environmental and social benefits.

Concert Properties Christine Bergeron passes away

Concert Properties CEO and prominent B.C. business leader Christine Bergeron passed away on February 13, 2026, after a battle with cancer.

During her tenure as president and CEO from September 2023 to September 2025, Bergeron guided Concert Properties with purpose, confidence and passion through a pivotal period for the company.

A values-driven leader, she put sustainability, reconciliation, community impact and diversity, equity and inclusivity (DEI) at the centre of decision-making and helped embed ESG principles into our corporate priorities and operations.

Her thoughtful, inquisitive nature invited collaboration and new ideas and her ability to empower others elevated our organization.

“Christine was a rare and exceptional leader, whose professional brilliance was matched by her depth of character and belief in people. She asked the hard questions, listened deeply and challenged us not to simply deliver results, but to do so in a way that honours our values,” said John Dooling, interim chief executive officer, managing director & CFO.

Before joining Concert Properties, Bergeron served as president and CEO of Vancity, Canada’s largest credit union. Over a tenure spanning more than a decade, she progressed through a number of senior leadership roles before being appointed CEO. As CEO, she set a direction that emphasized social and environmental responsibility while overseeing record financial results in 2020 and 2021.

Bergeron was widely recognized for her leadership and sustainable business practices, with honours that include BC Business Woman of the Year, Business in Vancouver Influential Women in Business, BC500, BC Most Influential Women in Finance, Canada’s Clean16 and Vancouver Power 50. She was also a YWCA Women of Distinction nominee and earlier received the Rising Star Award from the Association of Women in Finance.

Bergeron served on nearly 20 boards and advisory councils. Most recently, she sat on the boards of the Vancouver Board of Trade and the Urban Development Institute. She also championed entrepreneurship and women’s leadership with the Women’s Enterprise Centre of BC, Small Business BC and SFU Radius Ventures.

“Christine’s passing has left a deep sense of loss across Concert Properties,” said Dooling. “She will be greatly missed by all of us who had the honour of knowing her.”

Ontario accessibility funding targets public spaces

Municipalities, not-for-profit organizations and Indigenous governing bodies across Ontario are receiving funds through the Enhancing Access to Spaces for Everyone (EASE) Grant to improve accessibility in public spaces.

The provincial government committed over $2 million to support more than 40 projects that help seniors and people with disabilities to fully participate in community life.

Through the program, recipients can access up to $60,000 for upgrades to building entryways, ramps, elevators, sidewalks, and parking areas. The grant also covers accessible washrooms, signage, barrier removal, and other measures that make community spaces more inclusive.

Examples of this year’s funded projects include:

Rideau Valley Conservation Foundation is receiving up to $58,000 to remove physical barriers at Baxter Conservation Area, allowing seniors, people with disabilities, and families to enjoy nature safely and inclusively.
The City of Kingston is receiving more than $57,000 to create the city’s first accessible playground with a fully rubberized surface. It will provide safe, inclusive play opportunities for children and caregivers with mobility and sensory challenges.
The Township of Champlain is receiving up to $50,000 to add accessible, age‑friendly features at L’Orignal Beach, including shaded seating, signage, and pathways.
The Town of Deep River is receiving up to $60,000 to install an elevator at the Deep River Arena, removing a physical barrier and improving access to the upper level for older adults, people with disabilities and those with mobility challenges.
Art Not Shame is receiving more than $33,000 to retrofit a Guelph arts hub with adjustable sinks, bariatric seating, a portable ramp, and pull-down shelving.
The City of Waterloo will use more than $52,000 to install 20 hearing loop systems at municipal service counters and meeting rooms. These upgrades will remove communication barriers and promote equitable access for people with hearing loss.
The Railway Museum of Eastern Ontario in Smith Falls will use more than $48,000 to pave the facility’s gravel parking lot and add three accessible parking spaces.

The full list of recipients can be accessed here.

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