New email changes to impact condo systems

By the end of December 2026, Microsoft will change how systems are allowed to sign in to send emails, such as trouble alerts, status reports, or notices that something needs attention. This could cause potential disruptions within condo corporations because many systems that keep residential communities operating send emails. The access control platform, the camera recorder, the elevator monitoring, the generator and leak sensors, the controllers in the mechanical room are a few examples.

What is Changing

For years, older devices and applications have sent email through Microsoft 365 using basic authentication, a simple username and password. Microsoft is retiring that method because it is easy to abuse. Basic authentication for sending mail will be disabled by default for existing tenants. Administrators will be able to turn it back on if they must, and Microsoft has said a final removal date will follow in the second half of 2027.

The practical point is simpler than the timeline. Any device still signing in the old way will, by default, stop being able to send its mail. The replacement is a modern method called OAuth, and the device or its vendor has to support it.

The Failure Mode is the Problem

When one of these systems loses its ability to send mail, there is no error message flashing on a screen. The alert simply stops arriving. The generator runs its weekly test, but the report never comes. The leak sensor detects a problem, but its warning never reaches anyone. The copier scans to email, but the scans stop landing in inboxes. The system still works. The communication doesn’t.

Where the Exposure Turns Serious

A silent gap is an operational nuisance for most notifications, but it can grow more concerning: a leak unreported over a weekend; a generator fault nobody was notified about before a power event; or a trouble signal that never reached the person who could act on it. The core life-safety function of a fire panel, its alarm and monitored connection, does not depend on Microsoft email. The convenience notifications that ride alongside it can. Knowing which systems fall into which category is the whole reason to look. The test for each one is simple: if its email went quiet tomorrow, would anyone notice and would it matter? A trouble signal someone pursues sits in a different category than a routine report that goes unread. Sorting them that way highlights where a failure might be a nuisance or a risk.

Why This Reaches the Board

Under Ontario’s Condominium Act, a condominium corporation carries real duties: it must keep adequate records, and its directors must oversee how the corporation is run. A silent communication failure reaches both. When a maintenance alert, an access log, or a monitoring report is generated and then lost, that gap is the corporation’s to account for. Directors answer for how the property operates, so a problem that begins as a technical setting becomes a board matter. The consequence lands on the corporation and its directors.

A Prior Change

A related change is arriving on much the same timeline. Exchange Web Services, the older method many applications use to reach calendar and mailbox data in Microsoft 365, begins its phased retirement in October 2026 and shuts down fully in April 2027. That one is about the systems that read and sync data. This one is about the systems that send mail. What they share is a common direction: Microsoft is retiring the legacy ways that older software connects to email and replacing them with modern, more secure methods.

What the Work Involves

Finding the exposure at a given site is methodical, but not difficult. The systems that send email can be listed, and each vendor asked one plain question: does this product still sign in with a username and password, and do you support the modern method yet? Microsoft’s own administrative tools confirm which accounts are still using the old way to send mail.

The answers sort into three piles: already modern; has an update that needs applying; or old enough that the vendor has no answer, which is the pile that needs a plan before December.

The Question Worth Asking Now

Condo budgets are set in the fall, vendors move at their own pace, and most sites have more of these quiet systems than anyone realizes. Corporations should compile a list of what systems send email at their site, and how each system signs in. The date is set. The failure is silent. The window is open, for now.

Aaron Lazare is the owner of Toronto Tech, an independent IT advisory firm working exclusively with residential condominium corporations in the GTA. He can be reached at [email protected] or torontotechguy.com.

New mass timber facility underway in Langford

Construction is underway on the Langford Childcare and Art Studio. Located next to Starlight Stadium, the facility will provide 49 licensed child care spaces for children up to five years of age and will become the new home of the Centennial Arts Centre, relocating from Carlow Road.

The Langford Childcare and Art Studio is the 1st commercial volumetric mass timber building ever constructed in North America. Prefabricated modules by Kalesnikoff Mass
Timber are being assembled on-site, delivering faster construction, less waste, and a significantly lower carbon footprint than conventional building methods.

The lower level houses three childcare rooms for infants, toddlers, and children aged
three to five, each opening directly onto a secure outdoor play area of over 350 square metres with natural playground elements and covered spaces. The interiors are built around natural light, acoustic comfort, and warm materials throughout.

The upper level is a new home for West Shore arts and culture, with a dance room, music room, art room with gallery corridor, and a full pottery studio complete with individual kiln bays, a glazing room, and industrial ventilation. On the upper floor, a covered outdoor deck extends the space for exhibitions and events.

The facade speaks for itself: vertical-coloured panels in greens, oranges, blues, and reds inspired by a handful of coloured pencils, sitting above a ground level finished in natural timber and exposed CLT.

The project is led by a local design-build team, Blackrete Builders and Studio 531 Architects. Completion is is scheduled for spring 2027.

Ontario proposes standardized DC disclosure

A proposed standardized approach for divulging development charges (DCs) to new homebuyers in Ontario would require builders to disclose the full amount in the vendor section of the agreement of purchase and sale (APS). This would reflect either the known or calculated final amount based on the municipal DC bylaw in effect at the time the building permit is issued.

The Ontario government has laid out its proposal, which also includes administrative monetary penalties for vendors that do not comply, in a consultation paper posted on the provincial regulatory registry. If adopted, the new requirement would replace the practice of including DCs as a closing price adjustment in the addendum to the APS.

“Currently builders may include DCs in the sale price of their homes and may not disclose the full amount of DCs paid by purchasers in the addenda to new home purchase agreements. Purchasers may have varying levels of awareness of the DCs they pay, depending on the builder’s approach, and whether purchasers research DCs on municipal websites,” the consultation paper states.

The government is seeking input on the potential costs and complications of its proposed approach for vendors and its perceived helpfulness for purchasers. Respondents are also asked about possible alternative ways to impart the information. The consultation is open for submissions until September 18, 2026.

2026 class for ISSA’s Emerging Leaders is announced

ISSA, The Association for Cleaning and Facility Solutions, has announced its 2026 class of Emerging Leaders, recognizing a distinguished group of rising professionals who are helping shape the future of the global cleaning and facility solutions industry.

Selected from almost 100 nominations, the 30-member 2026 class represents the breadth and diversity of the industry, with honourees from manufacturers, manufacturer representatives, distributors, building service contractors, in-house service providers, and other sectors across the cleaning and facility solutions community.

The honourees were selected for their leadership, innovation, professional accomplishments, and commitment to advancing the industry. Each represents the next generation of professionals bringing fresh perspectives and new ideas to the challenges and opportunities facing the cleaning and facility solutions sector.

“The strength and future of our industry depend on the people who are willing to lead, innovate, and bring new perspectives to the table,” said ISSA Executive Director Kim Althoff. “This year’s Emerging Leaders class represents an impressive group of professionals who are already making an impact within their organizations and across our industry. ISSA is proud to recognize their accomplishments and help create opportunities for them to connect, grow, and continue developing as the next generation of industry leaders.”

The ISSA Emerging Leaders Program was created to recognize and support up-and-coming talent across the cleaning and facility solutions industry. In addition to industry recognition, participants have opportunities to build their professional networks, develop leadership skills, connect with peers and industry experts, and gain greater visibility through ISSA’s media and events.

New for 2026, members of the Emerging Leaders class are also eligible for two additional honours: the Community Impact Award, recognizing an individual making a meaningful difference through volunteerism and service within their organization and community; and Sales Leader of the Year, recognizing a high-performing sales professional who has demonstrated exceptional results and leadership through sales excellence. Both honours will be selected by a panel of industry leaders and peers.

The class will also be eligible for the ISSA Rising Star Award in Honour of Jimmy Core, which recognizes an Emerging Leader who demonstrates exceptional leadership and influence. Public voting for the ISSA Rising Star Award is open now. The winner will be recognized at ISSA Show North America.

The 2026 ISSA Emerging Leaders Class includes:

Areli Barlow, Verde Clean, LLC
Gloria Berwick, Champion Cleaning Services of NJ, LLC
Andrew Bortolussi, Callico Distributors
Melanie Boyd, Network Distribution
Jameka Carter, Imperial Brady
Mathieu Champagne, Groupe MMI
Trace Ferreira, CCS Facility Services
Alec Germond, Sunbelt Rental
Jeffrey Giannoni, Service by Medallion
Caleb Groen, Tennant Company
Ryan Harris, Auburn University
Ian Hossfeld, City Wide Facility Solutions – San Diego
Luisa Huguett, Munich Airport NJ, LLC
Kyle Jefferson, KleenMark
Channing Johnson, KB Building Services
Brad Kenny, Nilfisk
John Lechtenberg, Corporate Cleaning Group
Jeremy Leon, LJ’s Cleaning Solutions
Will Lewis, Tolco
Matt Meridieth, Clorox Purell
Rex Moon, GP PRO
Kimberly Neira, Lindenmeyr Munroe
Austen O’Reilly, ABM Industries
Alex Regalado, Rozalado Services
Tom Rosenthal, Janitors Supply Company Inc.
McLain Scales, Greenville Office Supply
Matthew Vickers, R.J. Schinner Co., Inc.
Christian Williford, APEX Commercial Cleaning
Miguel Zamora, Ecobrite Services
Ri Zheng, Central Park Conservancy

For more information about the ISSA Emerging Leaders Program and the ISSA Rising Star Award, visit issa.com/emerging-leaders-program.

To view last year’s list of Emerging Leaders, visit this link.

Construction starts on world’s first disability arts hub

Construction is underway on the Accessible Arts Learning Campus in Calgary, marking the development of the world’s first accessible arts learning campus. The National accessArts Centre (NaAC) officially broke ground on the project in June.

The campus will feature two facilities situated side-by-side: the Joseph Chung Centre for Creativity and the Trico Communities Accessible Arts Centre

Named in honour of Joseph Chung, the late son of philanthropist doctors Peter and Stephanie Chung, the two storey mass timber facility will serve as a performing arts training and creation centre for artists living with disabilities. The 16,279 square-foot building will provide an inclusive and welcoming environment where artists can learn, create, perform, and share their work.

Designed by Dialog, the project is targeting Zero Carbon Building certification. Sustainability and accessibility are central to the design, with features including 100 per cent barrier-free circulation, cantilevered canopy, and a rooftop solar array. Clark Builders is the general contractor.

The Trico Communities Accessible Arts Centre, designed by Iwanski Architecture, will see the overhaul of Scouts Hall into Canada’s largest dedicated visual arts learning facility for artists living with disabilities. It will be home to NaAC’s world-renowned visual arts/digital media programs, with accessible studio spaces, communal spaces for artists, as well as administrative offices.

Accessible indoor and outdoor community spaces are thoughtfully integrated throughout the two facilities, creating a cohesive campus that invites participants and community members alike to feel welcome and fully immersed in a creative, inclusive environment.

Construction on the Chung Centre is expected to be completed by winter 2027. The Trico Communities facility is scheduled for completion in summer 2027.

Demand ramps up in GTA for low-rise new homes

There has been increased demand for low-rise new home sales in the Greater Toronto Area (GTA) following the introduction of the HST rebate program. The latest data from the Building Industry and Land Development Association (BILD) shows the market outperformed its 10-year average for a fourth consecutive month in July.

Meanwhile, the condominium sector has continued to struggle to fully participate in the HST rebate program as rules around construction start and completion dates limit this segment of the market.

There was a total of 1,018 new home sales in July, up significantly from the record July low of 2025 but 40 per cent below the 10-year average, according to Altus Group. Historically, total new home sales for a typical July in the GTA would be 1,707 units based on the previous 10-year average.

“July new home sales across the GTA continued to reap the benefits of the HST rebate program led once again by the single-family sector,” said Edward Jegg, research manager at Altus Group. “Builders have been responding to the uptick in demand with a steady flow of new low-rise product that is keeping the sector in balance. This balanced state serves to avoid the upward pressure typically placed on pricing in a rising market.”

Condominium apartments, including units in low, medium, and high-rise buildings and stacked townhouses, accounted for 237 units sold in the GTA in July. This was a 40 per cent increase from July 2025 but 80 per cent below the 10-year average.

There were 781 single-family home sales in the GTA in July, a significant year-over-year increase and 50 per cent above the 10-year average. Single-family homes include detached, linked, and semi-detached houses and townhouses (excluding stacked townhouses).

The average price for new condominium apartments was $1,054,938, up 2.5 per cent compared to last year. The price for new single-family homes was $1,362,433, which was down 8.5 per cent over the last 12 months. These are gross prices, not reflective of any HST rebate, in order to facilitate a like-on-like comparison with previous years. Purchasers who qualify for an HST rebate would realize additional benefit from this rebate.

Total new home remaining inventory in the GTA remained balanced with 18,546 units as builders responded to increased sales levels with a steady flow of product. This includes 12,345 condominium apartment units and 6,201 single-family dwellings and represents a combined inventory level of 36.5 months, based on average sales for the last 12 months.

“I have had the opportunity to speak to a few of the homebuyers who have purchased new homes in the GTA as a result of the HST rebate program,” said Dave Wilkes, president and CEO at BILD. “They are thrilled at what this program has been able to do for them in terms of affordability and new homeownership. It is clear that measures like these not only make a genuine impact on new home buyers, but also help to improve the economic outlook of the region and protect jobs. We look forward to working with governments to continue to help make homeownership a reality and encourage the same results in the condominium sector as well.”

Dark edge awaits Alberta and B.C. school days

Students in Alberta and British Columbia will be starting their school days in the darkness for part of this new academic year once the two provinces formally transition to permanent daylight saving time on Nov. 1. At Edmonton’s latitude of 53.5 degrees north, the sun will not rise before 8:30 a.m. from late October to late January, and it won’t arrive until about 10 a.m. in the period around the winter solstice.

School administrators and facilities managers still have a few weeks to assess and adjust outdoor lighting, devise traffic safety protocols and consider design tweaks to brighten up classroom ambience before start-times become discordant with human circadian rhythms. Sleepier students can be anticipated.

“We may have modern technology, but our bodies are very much still traditional,” observes Tanya Steeves, lead lighting designer with the consulting firm, WSP Canada, and president of the Illuminating Engineering Society’s (IES) Edmonton chapter. “The natural course of the sun over a day influences the times when we feel more alert.”

The British Columbia and Alberta governments separately announced the pending move to permanent daylight saving time in the spring of 2026. Both provinces highlighted public consultation processes that elicited majority approval for eliminating the annual spring-forward/fall-back rotation between daylight saving and standard time, and underscored the appeal of an extra hour of sunlight later in the day and the practicalities of narrowing the hourly spread across Canada’s six time zones and better aligning with some U.S. states. Notably, Saskatchewan, which has historically entrenched permanent Central standard time, will now be in sync with Alberta for the entire year.

Still, the March and April announcements may not have inspired much contemplation of winter solstice realties at a time when daily hours of daylight were increasing. Steeves advises school officials who have not already done so to begin their preparations with a visual inspection of their properties while it is dark outside. That will flag some easy fixes, such as replacing burnt-out bulbs, and identify areas where more light is needed.

Outdoor safety

Monitors should pay attention to walkways, surfaces with changing elevation, areas around playground equipment and any zone where pedestrians and vehicles both travel. For more complicated scenarios, professional light measurement, mapping and guidance are recommended, particularly when it comes to illuminating upright surfaces and figures.

“It’s not just about the light that’s cast onto the ground; it’s the vertical light also — making sure faces are visible,” Steeves explains. “Vertical light is super-important, especially when cars and pedestrians are interacting. For that hour or two before school starts, make sure there is good facial recognition from all sides. Add snow and ice into the mix, and you just want to make sure that everybody can see everybody.”

The British Columbia Automobile Association (BCAA) and the Alberta Motor Association (AMA), which respectively coordinate the school crossing guard programs in the two provinces, are likewise emphasizing that message. Linda Lawlor, BCAA’s associate manager, community impact, reminds pedestrians not to venture into a crosswalk before making eye contact with drivers and ensuring they have stopped, and to augment their own visibility to approaching traffic with reflective clothing or accessories.

“For drivers, make sure your front and rear lights are working correctly and remember to turn them on in any lower-light situation. Don’t rely fully on automatic light settings,” she adds.

AMA touts its approachability for school administrators seeking guidance. “AMA continuously works with schools to understand their school zone safety challenges. In 2025, in response to the growing complexity of school environments, we introduced new student patrol roles for drop-off and pick-up zones, drive-lane crossings and school bus loading areas,” a statement from the organization reports.

Indoor ambience

Inside the classroom, natural light will be absent or less vivid as the day’s learning begins. For potential insight and guidance, school officials might look to the WELL standard. It addresses circadian lighting, including specifications for “melanopic light intensity in learning areas”. There are also some less complicated potential interventions on the cheerfulness front.

“Colour can profoundly affect our mood. Warm, light-reflective shades work wonders to create a greater sense of optimism and energy. Soft yellows, warm pinks, botanical greens and creamy whites are great colour options for classrooms, as they can feel restorative and uplifting,” says Colette van den Thillart, principal at Colette van den Thillart Interior Design and a Canadian design partner with the paint manufacturer, Benjamin Moore. “On dark winter days, cold greys, blues and stark whites can make a room feel flatter and more austere, which is often made worse by blue-tint LED lighting.”

For building operators in schools and commercial buildings alike, this fall will be a departure from what has been the conventional routine of adjusting controls in line with the time change. “As daylight availability shifts, building operations should incorporate lighting controls, scheduling and zoning into operational planning, while prioritizing efficient lighting upgrades in capital plans to manage energy costs, peak demand, emissions and evolving performance requirements,” advises Bala Gnanam, vice president, sustainability, advocacy and stakeholder relations, with the Building Owners and Managers Association (BOMA) of Canada.

Steeves predicts fall and winter will serve up new discoveries about the implications of rejecting standard time and injecting another hour of darkness into the morning. For its part, the Alberta government has pledged to closely monitor how the transition unfolds and gather feedback after the first full year of permanent daylight saving time has been completed. The B.C. government has not indicated if it has similar plans.

“Everything we know about the school day and the work day, and how lighting affects it, is going to be pushed by an hour. If we’re accustomed to noon being the high point when we’re getting the best light, now that’s not going to be happening until 1 p.m.,” Steeves muses. “We have to adjust to that.”

Ryan Kuntz joins PCL Edmonton team

PCL Construction announced that Ryan Kuntz has joined the Edmonton Buildings & Civil team as operations manager, bringing more than two decades of experience with PCL and a strong track record of delivering complex projects and building lasting client relationships.

“Ryan brings a deep understanding of our business, a strong operational mindset, and a commitment to people and relationships,” said Jason Portas, vice president and district manager, PCL Edmonton Buildings & Civil. “He knows what it takes to deliver, and just as importantly, how to build strong teams and partnerships along the way. We’re excited to have him back in Edmonton.”

In his new role, Kuntz will support operations across the district, working closely with project teams, preconstruction, and leadership to drive performance, strengthen collaboration, and ensure consistent delivery across a growing portfolio of work.

A graduate of NAIT’s Construction Engineering Technology program, Kuntz holds a Certified Technician (C.Tech.) designation. He began his career with PCL in Edmonton in 2004 before moving to Calgary in 2015, where he played a key role in delivering projects and supporting clients across the region. His return to Edmonton marks both a leadership transition and a homecoming.

“I’m excited to be making the move into the operations manager role with PCL Construction, Edmonton Buildings and Civil. Calgary has been a big part of my career, and I’ll miss the people, clients, and communities we’ve worked with and supported there,” said Kuntz. “Edmonton has a strong group in place and a lot of great work underway. I’m looking forward to getting in, meeting everyone, and doing my part, supporting our people, delivering for our clients, and continuing to build on the relationships already in place.”

He succeeds Ben Wagemakers who is transferring to PCL in Saskatoon.

The Door Left Out in the Cold

How outdoor-rated, wire-free smart deadbolts are making electronic access practical for weather-exposed condominium unit doors.

Electronic access has become commonplace across Canadian condominium properties. Residents may use a card, fob, phone, or digital credential to enter the lobby, parking garage, fitness centre, package room, amenity space, or other common areas. Property managers can issue or revoke access centrally, while electronic systems provide visibility that traditional mechanical keys simply cannot.

But at many condo properties, that digital experience still stops at the resident’s unit door.

Solving the Exterior Unit Door Problem

The obstacle has never been a lack of interest in keyless access. It has been Mother Nature. Icy cold winters, humid summers, and everything in between; the Canadian environment can be harsh.

A smart lock installed inside an environmentally controlled corridor lives a relatively sheltered life. Move that same electronics package outside and the operating conditions change significantly. Exterior doors may encounter prolonged sub-zero temperatures, snow and ice, wind-driven rain, condensation, summer heat, and dramatic temperature changes within a single day.

Coastal properties introduce salt and moisture. Prairie communities can experience extreme cold. Southern Ontario and Quebec bring repeated freeze-thaw cycles. Across the country, an exterior residential lock must perform under conditions that many consumer smart locks were simply not designed to handle.

A smart lock designed for a single homeowner with a standalone app does not necessarily translate well to condominium management. Property managers and condominium corporations need predictable maintenance, credential administration, auditability, and the ability to manage access for residents, staff, contractors, cleaners, trades, and other authorized users at scale.

That helps explain why the traditional mechanical deadbolt has remained stubbornly in place at exterior condominium unit doors, even while the rest of the property has moved toward electronic access.

The Most Challenging Door in Condo Communities

For property management companies, traditional keys create a burdensome workload throughout the life of a property.

Lost keys, ownership or resident changes, lockouts, contractor access, master-key management, cylinder replacements, and questions over who may still possess a copied key all require attention.

The issue becomes particularly noticeable in ground-oriented communities, where property managers and service technicians may be travelling between buildings and entrances spread across a large site.

There is also a disconnect in the resident experience. A condominium owner or resident may already use one credential to enter the building, access the parkade, open an amenity room, or enter other controlled areas, and then rely on a separate mechanical key for the door they use most often.

For developers designing new communities and management companies modernizing existing ones, the exterior unit door has become an important missing piece in the broader access strategy.

Retrofit Ready

One of the reasons this problem is increasingly solvable is surprisingly simple: most residential doors already use standardized deadbolt preparations. Residential deadbolts have been installed around common door preparations for decades. That means the opening required for the hardware often already exists.

For retrofit projects, that now becomes a major advantage.

If converting a unit entrance to electronic access requires a replacement door, new drilling, frame modifications, wiring, or specialty trades at every opening, a relatively simple technology upgrade quickly becomes a construction project. Multiply that complexity across dozens or hundreds of condominium units and the economics become difficult to justify. The Salto DBolt Touch Outdoor was designed around a different approach.

The outdoor-rated smart deadbolt is designed to retrofit compatible standard residential deadbolt preparations without additional drilling, door replacement, or frame modification. It supports the two common residential backsets of 2-3/8 inches and 2-3/4 inches and accommodates a broad range of residential door thicknesses.

For an existing condominium property, that can change the nature of the project considerably. Instead of rebuilding the opening around the access technology, the technology fits the opening already in the door.

For developers, the same principle can simplify specification across different residential building types. For condominium corporations and management companies, it can make modernization possible without undertaking a major door-replacement investment.

No Wires at the Unit Door

The second major challenge in electronic access retrofits is power.

Traditional hardwired access control requires electrical or low-voltage cabling to the opening, pathways through finished walls, coordination with multiple trades, and considerable disruption within occupied residential buildings.

That model may make sense for a lobby entrance or another high-traffic common-area opening. Replicating it at every individual condominium unit is a very different proposition.

DBolt Touch Outdoor is wire-free and operates on three AA batteries, eliminating the need to bring wired power or data to each unit entrance.

That can be particularly important in existing condominium communities where opening walls, disturbing finished interiors, or coordinating electrical work inside dozens or hundreds of privately occupied units would create substantial cost and disruption.

Depending on the Salto system and functionality selected, wireless infrastructure can provide additional connectivity without requiring each individual unit door to be conventionally hardwired.

The result is a much more manageable deployment model. For a condominium corporation evaluating a retrofit, the business case becomes less about undertaking a major access-control construction project and more about replacing existing mechanical hardware with electronically managed hardware.

Engineered for Outdoors

Ease of installation means very little if the lock cannot withstand the environment.

The Salto DBolt Touch Outdoor carries an IP55 ingress-protection rating on the exterior side and is rated AAA under ANSI/BHMA A156.40, the standard for residential deadbolts.

That outdoor rating is particularly relevant in Canada. An exterior-facing condominium unit door cannot be treated as though it were simply an interior apartment entrance with a little additional weather exposure. It may be subjected to months of freezing conditions, blowing snow, moisture, direct sun, and repeated temperature swings.

For developers and property managers considering electronic unit access, weather resistance therefore has to be part of the specification from the beginning rather than an afterthought.

The distinction is important: the question is no longer simply whether an electronic deadbolt can fit the residential door. It is whether that hardware was engineered to operate reliably on the outside of the building.

All Doors, One Access Platform

The larger opportunity is not simply replacing a key with a keypad. It is bringing the resident’s unit entrance into the same broader access strategy as the rest of the property. The Salto DBolt Touch Outdoor is compatible with Salto Homelok, Salto KS, and Salto Space and can support mobile credentials, RFID cards and fobs, and PIN access through the touch keypad.

That gives management companies more flexibility in designing the resident experience. Instead of creating one access system for common areas and leaving the unit entrance as a mechanical exception, electronic access can potentially extend from the property perimeter to the resident’s door.

There are operational benefits as well. Lost credentials can be managed electronically rather than automatically triggering a mechanical rekey. Temporary or time-limited permissions can be created for appropriate users. Access activity can become more visible. And property managers can reduce some of the administrative burden associated with physical key inventories and master-key systems.

For condo communities, those capabilities can also help establish clearer boundaries around access for property staff and authorized contractors.

Ultimate Flexibility

Existing communities do not necessarily have to convert every unit door at once. Because a wire-free retrofit does not require new electrical infrastructure at each opening, properties have greater flexibility in how a modernization program is structured.

New development presents a different opportunity. Developers can consider exterior unit access as part of the condominium’s overall access strategy from the outset rather than treating common-area access and residential-door access as separate systems. That becomes increasingly relevant as condo projects diversify beyond the traditional high-rise tower.

Stacked townhouses, mid-rise communities, mixed-use developments, master-planned communities, and other ground-oriented forms of housing all introduce exterior-facing residential entrances. A common electronic access strategy that can work across these different building typologies gives developers greater flexibility while creating a more consistent resident experience.

Bringing the Last Door Online

Canadian condo access has steadily become more digital, but the exterior-facing unit door has remained one of the hardest to modernize. The challenge was not simply making a residential deadbolt electronic. The hardware had to withstand direct weather exposure, fit the residential door already in place, avoid the expense of wiring every opening, and operate as part of an access system suitable for a professionally managed property.

That equation has changed. Outdoor-rated, wire-free smart deadbolts now give condo developers, owner groups, and management companies a practical way to reconsider an opening that has remained mechanical long after many other doors on the property became electronic.

For townhouse, stacked-townhouse, low-rise, and other exterior-access communities, the unit door no longer has to remain the exception to the property’s smart access strategy.

For more information: www.saltosystems.ca

Tariff waivers available, but not easy

Canadian wholesalers and distributors of HVAC and refrigeration equipment face a new schedule of import duties on 19 categories of products originating in the United States, beginning Sept. 8. In turn, their industry association, the Heating, Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Institute (HRAI) of Canada, plans to advocate for tariff waivers for products with few alternative sources of supply.

Speaking during a webinar late last week, Martin Luymes, HRAI’s vice president of government and stakeholder relations, reiterated the Canadian government’s general criteria for granting regulatory exceptions, which are premised on the products in question:

being essential for the health, safety, economic security or cultural well-being of Canadians; and
having no practical or economically viable substitutes.

He argues the HVACR sector has the first condition “in our pocket” and can make a good case for the second in relation to some U.S. imports.

The federal Finance department has confirmed there will be a process for importers to appeal for tariff waivers, which are known as “remissions” in the regulatory lexicon. As well, remissions that have already been granted for the narrower range of counter-tariffs in place to retaliate against earlier U.S. tariffs on Canadian steel, aluminum and softwood lumber will continue to be recognized.

“Canadian officials are in fairly flexible mode right now,” Luymes observed. “They are taking inputs from a variety of industry association leaders to modify and calibrate the response so that it maximizes pain on the U.S., minimized impacts on Canadians.”

Still, he cautioned that HRAI endured a 10-month wait before successfully obtaining a remission for gas furnaces earlier this year. The decision withdrew the tariff on future imports and allowed for reimbursement of duties already paid. However, a remission has a different statutory status than an outright exemption. Most petitioners have experienced waits of three to nine months, with the average at about six.

“The review process should be expedited. The applications should be simpler and the turnaround time should be shorter,” Luymes asserted. “This is a key thing. If the government wants to be of service to the industry by offering remissions, that process should be relatively efficient to access.”

HRAI’s lobbyist on Parliament Hill, Huw Williams, president of Impact Public Affairs, noted that a relatively exclusive group within the Finance department and the Prime Minister’s Office hold the most sway over Canada’s countermeasures.

“The door is open, not enthusiastically, but the door is open to make the case why things should or should not be there. They will not pull things off this list easily because they don’t want to show weakness to the Americans,” he said.

“The previous remission process asked two basic questions: are there alternatives?; and does the tariff pose an outsized negative impact on Canadians or the Canadian economy?,” reported Perry Chao, HRAI’s director of regulatory affairs. “We’ll see what the new process brings, but those are the questions that Finance Canada has in mind when it’s making that decision.”

ISSA launches academy for cleaning and facility solutions industries

ISSA, The Association for Cleaning and Facility Solutions, has announced the launch of ISSA Academy, a reimagined online learning experience designed to provide cleaning and facility solutions professionals with a clearer path to career advancement while helping organizations build stronger, more skilled workforces.

Built around the idea that professional development should be a journey, not simply a catalog of courses, ISSA Academy brings together industry education, training, and certification in an intuitive learning environment. At the center of the Academy are Career Pathways, structured learning journeys designed to guide professionals from foundational knowledge and frontline skills through advanced expertise and enterprise leadership.

“With ISSA Academy, we are creating a clearer roadmap for professional growth while giving organizations flexible tools to develop their people,” said ISSA Executive Director Kim Althoff. “Whether someone is beginning a career in the industry, building specialized expertise, or preparing for a leadership role, we want them to be able to see what comes next and have the education to help them get there.”

ISSA Academy’s Career Pathways provide a five-level framework that helps professionals progress from frontline fundamentals to technical expertise, supervision, management, and enterprise leadership. Along the way, the pathways incorporate many of ISSA’s recognized education and certification programs, giving learners a clear understanding of how individual courses and credentials can contribute to long-term career growth.

For example, frontline professionals can build foundational skills through CMI’s Certified Custodial Technician (CCT) Basic program and GBAC-Trained Technician education before progressing to advanced CMI training. As professionals move into supervisory roles, pathways incorporate programs such as the CMI Custodial Supervisor Certification, with increasingly advanced education supporting continued progression into management and leadership.

By connecting these established programs within a structured framework, ISSA Academy helps professionals understand where they are in their careers, what skills they need to develop, and what learning opportunities can help them take the next step.

ISSA Academy is designed to serve professionals throughout the cleaning and facility solutions industries, including frontline cleaning professionals, building service contractors, facility managers, manufacturers, distributors, residential cleaning professionals, and emerging industry leaders.

The platform organizes learning around industry sectors and career development needs, making it easier for users to identify education relevant to their role and professional goals. Current sector-specific areas include building service contractors, healthcare, residential cleaning, K-12 and higher education, manufacturers, distributors, emerging leaders, and advocacy and government affairs, with additional areas planned.

Beyond individual professional development, ISSA Academy provides organizations with flexible options to support employee onboarding, ongoing training, career development, and workforce advancement.

Organizations can use ISSA Academy to create more consistent learning experiences across their teams, identify training aligned with employee roles and career goals, and provide employees with opportunities to continue building their skills throughout their careers.

Solutions range from individual courses and career-focused learning bundles to team training subscriptions and enterprise learning options, allowing organizations to develop an approach that fits the size and needs of their workforce.

The launch of ISSA Academy reflects ISSA’s continued commitment to advancing the cleaning and facility solutions industry by strengthening the knowledge, skills, and professional development opportunities available to the people who power it.

To explore ISSA Academy and available learning opportunities, visit academy.issa.com.

VRCA issues challenge to municipal candidates

With Lower Mainland voters heading to the polls on October 17, the Vancouver Regional Construction Association (VRCA) is challenging municipal candidates to explain how they will prevent local government decisions from adding more cost and uncertainty to an already strained construction market.

“Municipal governments can’t control global markets, but they can control whether their own fees, requirements, and processes help projects move forward or push them over the edge,” said Jeannine Martin, president of the VRCA. “When the numbers stop working, projects don’t magically become cheaper. They are delayed, scaled back, or cancelled, and communities are left waiting.”

The Cost to Build is one of three pillars of VRCA’s non-partisan Build Lower Mainland municipal election campaign, alongside the Time to Build and People to Build. The campaign is focused on ensuring candidates across the region understand the realities facing construction and the practical steps municipalities can take to help keep the Lower Mainland building.

Construction costs reach far beyond the industry. They determine whether the region can deliver the housing, infrastructure, public spaces, and services needed to support a growing population.

“When we make construction more expensive, we make our communities more expensive,” said Martin. “Those costs show up in the price of housing, the rent paid by a small business, the tax bill for a public project, or the infrastructure that never gets built.”

VRCA is calling for municipal candidates to commit to:

Greater transparency and predictability for development cost charges and other project-related fees.
Earlier consultation with the full construction industry.
Better coordination among municipalities and other levels of government, with meaningful notice before new charges or requirements take effect.
Measurable permitting standards and public accountability for delays.
Fair, competitive procurement that is open to qualified bidders.

“A project should not reach the finish line only to discover that the rules changed, and the budget no longer works,” said VRCA’s director of advocacy, Craig Larkins. “Predictability costs government very little, but its absence can cost a community an entire project.”

As candidates campaign across the Lower Mainland, VRCA is encouraging voters and industry members to ask four direct questions:

How will you make municipal fees and charges more predictable?
Will you support a coordinated effort to reduce DCCs and other barriers to building?
How will you ensure municipal procurement is fair, competitive, and focused on value?
Will you consult construction before making decisions that affect whether projects can proceed?

“Every candidate talks about the housing, infrastructure, and amenities their community needs,” said Larkins. “The real question is whether their policies will make those projects possible to build.”

A landscape narrative for Indigenous art museum

Calgary’s Spectacle Bureau for Architecture and Urbanism has unveiled designs for the Museum of Aboriginal Peoples’ Art and Artifacts (MOAPAA), coming to Portage College in Lac La Biche, Alberta.

The Indigenous-led museum will house a major collection by Professional Native Indian Artists (PNIA), a collective of First Nations artists formed in Winnipeg in 1973.

The mass-timber building features a kinetic wooden veil, a rooftop ceremonial garden, seven elliptical landscape paths honoring PNIA founders, and a fireproof storage vault designed to survive severe wildfires.

The museum’s landscape functions as a narrative journey. Seven nested elliptical paths—each representing one of the seven historic members of the PNIAI (Jackson Beardy, Eddy Cobiness, Alex Janvier, Norval Morrisseau, Daphne Odjig, Carl Ray, and Joseph M. Sánchez)—wrap around the building.

Public spaces are formed where the pathways join – on the east side, in front of the main entrance, and at the sculpture garden on the west side – as symbolic gestures depicting how the artists’ lives have converged and diverged. Every path will be marked with a sculpture dedicated to each of the PNIAI members, created by Indigenous artists.

The building’s elegant veil responds to the verticality of the reconstituted Quaking Aspen forest. Vertical slats hinged at the top swing gently back and forth in the breeze, responding to nature and the elements and moving gracefully together with the surrounding environment. This simple rhythm creates a pleasant shaded and intimate space for walking and viewing the art.

The interior layout purposefully moves away from rigid, traditional museum frameworks. At the core of the gallery area, an innovative retractable platform system can transform from a raked-seating auditorium into benches or sculptural plinths, or disappear entirely into the floor to maintain a free-flowing exhibition space.

“This free-standing museum adds to the Indigenous artistry already on display in the hallways of Portage College,” says Ruby Sweetman, Portage College Elder. “I think more exposure will only draw more inspiration and more education about Indigenous arts and culture.”

Legionnaires outbreak renews focus on facility risk

A recent Toronto Public Health investigation identified a cooling tower at the Toronto Transit Commission’s Hillcrest Complex as the source of a Legionnaires’ disease outbreak this past summer. The incident, which occurred within a one-kilometre radius of the Bathurst and Dupont intersection and resulted in six confirmed cases, has prompted facility management professionals to raise awareness about preparedness gaps.

“We have seen outbreaks over the years, and they can be costly to mitigate and create bad PR and liability for facility managers and owners,” says Tom Peter, senior vice-president of regulatory business practice at First Onsite Property Restoration.

Cooling towers are a typical source for Legionella growth. The bacteria thrive under ideal conditions that include a water temperature between 20 and 50 degrees Celsius, a lack of disinfection, and the presence of organic debris and biofilms.

“The cooling towers are large and typically elevated on rooftops, and if there is an aerosolized mist and a slight breeze, the droplets with Legionella bacteria can be dispersed and people can be exposed a few blocks away,” warns Peter.

The issue is especially pertinent near hospitals or nursing homes. Some people who have been exposed to Legionella may never exhibit symptoms; whereas compromised individuals, such as the elderly and individuals with respiratory health issues, face a higher risk of illness.

Cooling towers aren’t the only culprit. Legionella bacteria are present in many water sources. with the right temperature and biofilm. Peter says many incidents have been traced to decorative fountains. If left uncleaned and untreated they can aerosolize water and Legionella bacteria. Shower heads that have accumulated biofilms are another source of exposure.

“As an industrial hygienist, I think of these things wherever I go: fountains, mists, water parks, produce markets with mists, and especially ponds with fountains,” Peter muses. “We know that ponds can have Legionella, and a fountain in a pond can aerosolize all kinds of potential pathogens. We know ponds do not get treated, so when I see a pond with a fountain, I typically will stay upwind from the mist.”

Contamination control

Facility managers can help minimize Legionella risks by regularly cleaning and treating cooling towers. Periodic testing and inspections can also help determine the appropriate cleaning frequency.

Overall, cooling towers require a thorough cleaning if biofilms accumulate or a test detects elevated Legionella levels. The process entails removing scale, debris and biofilms, and potential mechanical scrubbing or power washing, before applying an antimicrobial solution.

“There are many antimicrobial chemicals on the market for treating systems for Legionella bacteria,” Peter explains. “There are chemicals for descaling, and there is a broad spectrum of bactericides, fungicides, and algicides. The decision on what chemicals to use is determined by the system, compatibility with components, the environment, and what is the safest and most effective.”

Reducing health and liability risks

Preventive maintenance and documentation can further reduce health and liability risks. Various programs in Canada and the United States prescribe specific methods and procedures. Peter recommends following guidance from Public Services and Procurement Canada (PSPC), National Research Council of Canada, and the National Joint Council.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, two agencies based in the U.S., offer other resources. In New York City, legislation requires that cooling towers are tested for Legionella every 90 days.

“In 2015, NYC had an outbreak, and since that outbreak they have implemented regulations for cooling towers, mandating registration of cooling towers, inspection and maintenance of cooling towers, among other requirements,” says Peter. ““Facility managers can decide to take the advice of the agencies and go beyond what is required, or do the minimum that is required and take a risk.”

PSPC has a rigorous five-step program to control the growth of Legionella in federal building water systems. Here is a summary:

Design buildings and install new systems to minimize risk;
Implement a control management program: this is a specific plan for each building to identify areas of risk and control measures;
Maintenance and prevention: control water temperatures, improve water flow, and treat the water;
Testing: PSPC may perform monthly testing; and
Clean, disinfect, and retest: if Legionella levels exceed 1,000 colony-forming units per millilitre (CFU/mL), there should be mandatory cleaning and disinfection.

Creating a disaster response plan

Before an incident occurs, Peter recommends training staff to be aware of potential sources of Legionella. As well, facility managers should implement an inspection and management plan, document inspection and maintenance, and create a plan of action in case of an outbreak. A Legionella outbreak plan should involve internal staff, outside contractors, testing companies, and any related agencies.

“I know facility managers have a lot on their to-do lists, and things change from day to day and sometimes hour to hour, but they need to think about prioritizing the high-risk or potential-risk items,” he urges. “Legionella is one of those high-risk items.”

Renovations begin for East Gwillimbury Sports Complex

Upgrades to the East Gwillimbury Sports Complex are underway following a $600,000 investment from the Ontario government’s Community Sport and Recreation Infrastructure Fund (CSRIF).

The renovations will improve change rooms, showers, washrooms, building entrances and other amenities throughout the complex. The project will also upgrade customer service and concession counters, along with other facility enhancements. Construction for the renovations is expected to be completed by March 2027.

“Creating accessible spaces is about making sure every resident has the opportunity to participate and enjoy recreation in our community,” said Virginia Hackson, Mayor of East Gwillimbury. “We are grateful to the Government of Ontario for this important funding support to help make meaningful improvements to the Sports Complex. These upgrades will make the facility more welcoming and accessible for all residents, regardless of their disability status.”

Applications are currently being accepted for the next round of CSRIF until December 22, 2026.

The first round of CSRIF has already supported nearly 100 projects, including the construction of 17 new facilities and repairs and updates to 77 projects.

Mortgage brokers split on interest rate message

Steady holding of the Bank of Canada’s overnight lending rate elicits differing responses from mortgage brokers’ associations in Ontario and British Columbia. Bank of Canada Governor Tiff Macklem has confirmed the rate will rest at 2.25 per cent, where it has been pegged since last November, as Canada’s central bankers endeavour to keep inflation close to the 2 per cent target rate.

In announcing the monetary policy earlier today, he weighed Canada’s pickup in economic growth during the second quarter against elevated oil and gas prices and uncertainty tied to U.S. tariffs and Canadian countermeasures. Among the positives, he cited the broad base of Q2 economic growth, resilience in consumer spending, increased exports and investment spending and “some rebound in housing activity” after several weak quarters. Still, central bankers are cautious that extended conflict in the Middle East could push up oil and gas prices for the long term, and that added costs flowing out of the Canada-U.S. trade dispute will seep into consumer prices.

“Monetary policy cannot offset the effects of tariffs or influence global energy prices. What we can do is ensure global developments don’t jeopardize price stability in Canada,” Macklem said.

The Canadian Mortgage Brokers Association (CMBA) of Ontario calls this stance a “steady signal”, but CMBA British Columbia alternatively maintains that it “does not signal the stability nor economic conditions” that will lure first-time homebuyers into the market. CMBA BC president, Tricia McIntosh, argues lower interest rates would provide meaningful relief for British Columbians grappling with affordability. CMBA Ontario president, Michelle Campbell, counters that the steady rate is “prudent and necessary” and suggests such stability demonstrates that this is a good time to invest.

Meanwhile, the organization’s national platform is straddling both camps. “Although a hold can be reassuring, it fails to address one of the key barriers preventing homeownership in Canada — and that is the elevated cost of interest on mortgage,” says John Woods, president of the Canadian Mortgage Brokers Association.

PlantPaper earns Green Seal certification for bamboo toilet paper and facial tissue

Green Seal® has announced that PlantPaper is the first bamboo toilet paper and facial tissue to earn Green Seal certification, marking a major milestone for the rapidly growing alternative-fibre tissue market.

The certifications put Green Seal’s new sustainability standard for alternative-fibre sanitary paper into action, giving consumers independently verified options in a category where environmental claims can be difficult to evaluate.

Bamboo toilet paper has gained popularity as brands seek alternatives to conventional virgin tree fiber. Green Seal’s standard establishes that the use of bamboo alone does not confirm that a product is environmentally preferable. PlantPaper met rigorous sustainability criteria for fibre sourcing, manufacturing practices, chemical use, packaging and product performance.

Green Seal also requires bamboo products to undergo fibre analysis testing to verify the fibre composition of the finished product, an added safeguard designed to protect the integrity of alternative-fibre supply chains.

“Consumers increasingly encounter products marketed as sustainable simply because they are made from bamboo, but fibre source is only part of the story,” said Doug Gatlin, CEO of Green Seal. “Green Seal certification provides independent verification that a product meets a comprehensive leadership standard. PlantPaper has demonstrated that bamboo tissue products can meet that rigorous benchmark.”

Green Seal updated its Standard for Sanitary Paper Products in 2025 to establish a certification pathway for tree-free alternative fibres, including responsibly sourced bamboo.

PlantPaper’s certified toilet paper and facial tissue are made from 100% FSC®-certified, unbleached bamboo. The company pursued Green Seal certification to provide independent validation of its approach at a time when consumers and purchasers face a growing number of environmental claims in the tissue category.

“We’re incredibly proud to be the first bamboo toilet paper brand to earn Green Seal certification,” said Deeva Green, co-founder and co-CEO of PlantPaper. “We have been deeply impressed by Green Seal’s extraordinary diligence and thoroughness throughout the certification process. We’ve always believed in the value of independent third-party accountability, both for companies doing good and for consumers making informed choices.”

Green Seal expects the certifications to provide a new reference point for retailers, institutional purchasers, and consumers evaluating bamboo tissue products, while creating a pathway for additional manufacturers that want to substantiate their environmental claims through independent certification.