Five tips for keeping pests off condo properties

Condo managers endeavour to create an outstanding living environment for residents of the communities they serve, and yet this work can quickly be undone by one thing — a pest infestation. There are costs and reputational concerns that arise when unwanted insects start climbing into residents’ kitchen cabinets.

But it doesn’t have to go that far. Taking proactive steps can help keep unwanted pests out of condo buildings, saving the time and money involved in treating infestations.

Here are five useful tips for keeping crawling critters out of condos:

Set up regular pest monitoring inspections

This seems like a no-brainer, but condo managers often overlook this simple step. Establishing regular pest monitoring inspections helps to detect potential pests before they become a problem.

The presence of some insects pinpoints an underlying problem. For example, finding moisture-loving insects is an indication of moisture problems in the building such as leaking pipes. Finding drain flies suggest drainage issues in need of maintenance.

Plus, having a documented process for a pest management program, including bed bug inspections, helps avoid costly problems and even resulting lawsuits. For example, bed bug lawsuits often occur when tenants allege that not all necessary preventive measures have been put in place by management to control bed bugs and protect their welfare, resulting in emotional, psychological or financial stress. However, proper documentation serves as evidence of due diligence, showing what steps were taken, and when, to control the issue.

Keep a close eye on exterior areas

Before they get inside units, pests are roaming outdoors. It’s a good idea to have someone regularly inspect places such as flower beds, mulch, the parking lot, pool and recycling or waste areas to monitor for pest activity. It’s especially important to make sure these areas are free of attractants such as food debris, as this can bring pests scurrying onto the property in search of their next snack.

Eliminate standing water around the property

There are just a few things pests need to thrive — food, shelter and water. If there’s been a leak in a unit or around the exterior of the building, chances are pests will arrive soon if the problem isn’t fixed. The same goes for accumulated moisture around the pool, which can seep into the surrounding landscaping and give pests reliable resources to thrive and reproduce.

Follow a regular sanitation schedule

Pests are always on the lookout for their next meal, and they’re very likely to find it in a pile of trash in an unkempt waste disposal area. Make sure that bins are emptied on a regular basis. In addition, it’s a good idea to thoroughly sanitize these disposal areas at least once every few weeks. This ensures that any remaining food debris and smells are eliminated, reducing the potential to attract pests.

Educate residents on proper pest prevention techniques

Last but certainly not least, make sure residents have the information they need to identify pest warning signs and report problems. Isolated, undocumented pest problems that spiral out of control are a nightmare for condo managers.

Residents should understand the proper procedures for contacting management if they see pests — or even abnormalities, such as finding dead insects, droppings, gnaw marks or even tiny holes in wooden surfaces that could indicate pests are lurking nearby. Furthermore, inform residents about how they can help to keep unsightly invaders out of their condos, including:

Storing food in sealed containers in the pantry and refrigerator.
Reporting a leaky faucet early before the water has time to settle in a pool.
Taking out trash in a timely manner and not leaving trash on the ground.
Maintaining sanitary conditions and reducing clutter.
Not feeding birds or wildlife on the property.

While condo managers may be responsible for pest prevention, there’s a lot residents can do to help in this regard — for their benefit as well as management’s. Everyone can rest a little easier knowing there are eyes everywhere to help stop an infestation before it spreads across units.

These are just a few of the steps that can be taken to protect condo buildings from pest infestations.

Alice Sinia, Ph.D. is quality assurance manager – regulatory/lab services for Orkin Canada focusing on government regulations pertaining to the pest control industry. With more than 20 years of experience, she manages the quality assurance laboratory for Orkin Canada and performs analytical entomology as well as provides technical support in pest/insect identification to branch offices and clients. For more information, email Alice Sinia at [email protected].

Canadian housing collapse doubtful: CPA Canada

Although household debt is on the rise and home prices in some markets remain out of reach for many average Canadians, a recent study from Chartered Professional Accountants of Canada (CPA Canada) finds that Canada’s housing market is different and likely more resilient than it might first appear, and warns not to compare it to the 2008-09 U.S. housing market bubble and resulting crash.

“Beyond prices and debt levels, Canada shares far fewer similarities with the U.S. than you might think,” said Francis Fong, CPA Canada’s chief economist and author of the study, The Real Story Behind Housing and Household Debt in Canada: Is There Really a Risk? “This becomes very apparent when you look at just one measure: credit quality.”

Some key factors in the U.S. housing crash were relatively lax regulation and the prevalence of sub-prime mortgages issued to homebuyers with low credit quality who were unable to keep up with payments. Credit quality is a measure of an individual’s ability to repay debt.

In contrast, Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC), which insures Canadian mortgages in situations where buyers cannot put down a 20 per cent down payment, says the number of borrowers with high credit quality has jumped from 66 percent in 2002 to 88 per cent in 2017. Meanwhile, the number of low credit quality buyers fell from 17 per cent to three per cent during the same period.

CPA Canada warns that despite this, Canada’s housing market isn’t immune to risks, but that any issues here will not be identical to the U.S. housing collapse.

CPA Canada also notes that there has been a steep increase in the use of non-regulated lenders in Canada, which do not provide as much protection compared to the heavily regulated banking system. However, the overall impact of any failures by non-regulated lenders would be much lighter compared to what occurred in the U.S.

When recently introduced rules that provide more protection for mortgage lenders from defaults and more stringent income-testing standards for borrowers are considered, the Canadian system seems to be ready for prospective challenges, even if the economy softens in Canada or abroad.

“The situation in Canada is likely not a bubble in imminent danger of deflation; in fact, housing prices may reflect the true value of living space in Canada and in some markets increased household debt may be the new price for real estate,” added Fong, in a press release. “Our cities frequently are listed among the best places to live and work in the world and, compared to their peer cities abroad, they are not among the most expensive. We may simply be dealing with the law of supply and demand, so affordability could continue to be a challenge for the foreseeable future.”

Addressing sub-standard rental housing

Hamilton-area landlords are speaking out after city councillors voted to move forward on a rental housing licensing pilot affecting Wards 1 and 8 near McMaster University and Mohawk College. If approved, rental properties with six or fewer units will be required to obtain an annual rental housing license for $200, money which will go towards funding future building inspections.

ACORN, a group that advocates for low-income renters, sees the pilot as a step in the right direction for disgruntled tenants facing squalidly living conditions and limited means for fighting back. “There’s a lot of bad landlords out there—why not have regulation like any other business?” said Mike Wood, Chair of the Hamilton ACORN Chapter.

Meanwhile, landlords opposed to rental housing licensing argue that the city already has enough laws in place to protect tenants, and that more regulation will lead to the precise outcomes the municipality is striving to mitigate: rent increases and record-low vacancy rates.

“Extra restrictions won’t help stimulate new rental development, and let’s face it, the costs will trickle down to the students eventually,” said William Blake on behalf of the Ontario Landlords Association. “It’s not that we are opposed to quality control or providing high quality accommodations for our tenants—bad landlords exist and they should be shut down. The problem is, rental housing licensing puts the cost and onus on landlords instead of the city’s by-law departments. The real solution is to educate tenants about who to call when they are faced with a bad landlord and how to request an inspection. By-law officers should be facilitating these inspections and it shouldn’t be done at a cost to us.”

Logistics aside, Blake, who owns a mid-sized portfolio of student housing rental properties across Canada, fears that the license requirement could send a bad message to future developers while adversely influencing the area’s market dynamics.

“It’s not just the $200 fee, but the impact that fee could have on rent prices overall,” he explained. “If one landlord chooses to increase rents in an effort to cover the charges associated with licensing, rent prices will be affected in the surrounding buildings, as well.”

Furthermore, Blake asserts that additional red tape is not what housing developers need; rather solutions that stimulate the market and entice future investment.

“Imposing layers of regulation will deter good people from investing in one area in favour of another where that bureaucracy doesn’t exist. Extra restrictions won’t encourage development,” he said.

Renters on the rise: CMHC key findings

In 2018, the CMHC Rental Report for the city of Hamilton revealed that the average cost of rent was $1,077 in the month of October. The overall vacancy rate was 3.1 per cent during the same period, which is below the 10-year average for the area.

Vacancy rates in Hamilton’s West End and Downtown Core zones where the largest concentration of McMaster University student renters live, were below average at 2.5 per cent and 2.9 per cent respectively.

The number of student renters in Hamilton likely increased this year, as data from IRCC show that the average number of non-permanent residents in Hamilton with study permits was up significantly. It is also likely that more international students led to higher overall enrollment for the fall 2018 semester, however McMaster University has yet to release that data.

What is certain is that greater student rental demand contributed to more occupied units in the downtown core and kept the number of occupied units in the West End steady.

Next year, as the need for affordable rental housing continues to grow and the glut potentially widens, more meetings and consultations will be scheduled to discuss Hamilton’s rental housing licensing pilot; however, it is possible that the new by-law could be in effect as early as 2019—whether landlords and housing developers like it or not.

Other municipal licensing programs at-a-glance:

Waterloo

The City of Waterloo Rental License requires owners of low-rise residential properties to undergo annual inspections in order to certify that their buildings adhere to the specified standards. According to the by-law information sheet, rental housing licenses help ensure that property owners/managers have a clean criminal record; that the building has upheld the required electrical, heating and ventilation standards for tenant health and safety; and that the rights of the tenants will be upheld throughout their tenancy. Landlords suspected of illegally renting a unit could be fined between $350 to $100,000. The cost of a license varies between $450 and $760 depending on unit-size and the duration required.

London

The City of London has a residential rental licensing by-law currently in effect requiring any rental property of four units or less to be licensed. To obtain a license, property owners must fill out a self-certification checklist, pay a $165 rental license fee and $171 fire inspection fee. A renewal fee of $55 is also charged and licenses are issued upon inspection from the Fire Department.

Oshawa

Residential rental properties located in the vicinity of Durham College and the University of Ontario Institute of Technology must be licensed under Oshawa’s Residential Rental Housing Licensing By-law. Licensed rental properties must comply with various standards, including: the Fire Code, Electrical Code, Building Code and the City’s Zoning and Property Standards By-law. Prospective landlords must pay an application fee of $75, a first-time licensing fee of $500, an annual renewal fee of $360, and ongoing inspections fees of $75, if and when required.

Minto Communities’ 30Roe awarded LEED Gold

30Roe, Minto Communities’ fully occupied condominium project located in Toronto’s Yonge-Eglinton neighbourhood, has achieved LEED Gold certification by the Canada Green Building Council (CaGBC).

“LEED Gold certification at 30Roe is the latest example of our commitment to green building and responsible investing over the past four decades,” said Agnieszka Wloch, vice president, development at Minto Communities, in a press release. “It’s an accomplishment we’re tremendously proud of.”

30Roe is a 34-storey building featuring 397 condominium units that was designed to consume fewer natural resources, minimize waste and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

“Residents appreciate the energy efficiency and cost savings associated with their investment,” added Wloch.

Some key features of the development include in-suite heat recovery ventilators to filter fresh air from the outside directly into the unit; high-performance mechanical equipment, LED lighting, CO and occupancy sensors; 41 per cent energy savings over baseline building code; 35 per cent water savings over building code; air-tight construction; low-emitting FloorScore certified flooring; low-emitting paint, adhesives and sealants; storage for 400 bicycles; capacity to support 20 electric vehicle charging stations; 1,000-square-metre green roof with 60,000-litre rainwater storage tank; drought tolerant and native plants; and a drip irrigation system fed by rainwater.

30Roe was LEED registered in 2010, with construction commencing in 2013. During construction, 94 per cent of construction waste was diverted from landfill. The building was fully completed and occupied in 2016, and received LEED Gold certification in August 2018. 30Roe has also reached Toronto Green Standard Tier II sustainable design requirements through the City of Toronto.

Oxford Properties purchase office assets in Australia

Oxford Properties Group has acquired Investa Office Fund’s 5.3 million sq. ft portfolio in Australia valued at approximately $4.4 billion.

The global real estate investment, development and management company based in Toronto, Canada purchased 19 prime office assets across Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Perth and Canberra on Dec. 14, 2018.

“Completing this transaction in just 100 days is a testament to our team’s ability to rapidly execute large-scale and complex transactions in markets across the globe. We are also very pleased to have begun establishing our presence in Australia and are in the process of building our team on the ground,” said Paul Brundage, Oxford’s Head of Europe and Asia Pacific.

Oxford also announced it has renamed the ownership vehicle for the portfolio to Oxford Investa Property Partners (OIPP). Alongside Oxford’s role as strategic asset manager, Oxford has retained the Investa Office Management platform (Investa) to continue its role managing the portfolio, providing investment, asset, property, project and development management services.

“We look forward to working closely with Oxford as the new owner of OIPP and in its role as strategic asset manager to the portfolio. We have had a very positive experience getting to know the Oxford team and are pleased with the strong synergies between our two businesses. As manager of the OIPP portfolio, we’re very well placed to continue to deliver strong performance from the assets together with Oxford,” said Jonathan Callaghan, Chief Executive Officer, Investa.

Oxford is the real estate arm of OMERS, one of Canada’s largest pension plans. This transaction represents the second major investment in Australia for OMERS following the 50-year lease of the Port of Melbourne as part of the Lonsdale Consortium in 2016.

Angela McKerlich is new BCCA chair

Angela McKerlich has been elected as board chair of the British Columbia Construction Association (BCCA) for the 2018-2019 term.

Based in Kelowna BC, McKerlich is a partner and construction risk & surety Advisor at CapriCMW Insurance Services Ltd. She holds a number of accreditations, including a BA, CAIB, and FCIP, and is the recipient of the Howard Strong Industry Builder Award (2014) from the Southern Interior Construction Association (SICA), where she has been a director for 12 years. She is also a director of the Construction Foundation of BC, director of the Canadian Construction Association (CCA), and has served as SICA Chair.

In her new position as BCCA board chair, McKerlich continues the work of out-going chair Alan Fletcher of Vancouver Islands AFC Industries Ltd., advocating on behalf of B.C.’s industrial, commercial, and institutional construction employers on important issues such as prompt payment, the B.C. community benefits agreement, skilled worker shortages and achieving the highest standards when it comes to public sector procurement policies and procedures.

A focus during her tenure will be to work with the leadership of the four Regional Construction Associations to ensure strong benefit to membership while serving the industry at large by continuing on the path of the BCCA’s current three-year strategic plan which takes the organization to 2020, its 50th Anniversary of incorporation.

“B.C.’s construction sector contributes nearly nine per cent of our province’s GDP and has grown to over 250,000 employees and 24,000 employers,” notes McKerlich “I believe that advocating for – and creating – proactive solutions to industry problems benefits every community in British Columbia.”

Active on both the BCCA and SICA board of directors, McKerlich is well versed in the role industry organizations play and understands the issues and opportunities in front of the construction employers they serve.

“We welcome Angela to the chair’s role and look forward to her contributions as an experienced, long-time board member, and as a knowledgeable and respected business person in our industry,” says Chris Atchison, president of the BCCA. “Angela’s extensive contributions on behalf of the construction industry demonstrate her passion for its ongoing health and success. She is a highly respected and valued role model and spokesperson for our industry.”

Mattamy Homes named one of GTA’s Top Employers

Mattamy Homes, North America’s largest privately owned homebuilder, has been named one of Greater Toronto’s Top Employers for its innovative workplace experience and human resources practices.

“Being recognized as one of the Greater Toronto Area’s top employers has special meaning for us, as the GTA is where it all began in 1978, and it remains a mainstay of our operations,” said Brad Carr, Mattamy Homes Canada CEO, in a press release. “Empowering everyone to create a positive working environment is very important, as happy and motivated employees are far more likely to deliver a great customer experience. Fundamentally, we just believe the two of them go hand in hand.”

This year marked Mattamy Homes’ 40^th year in business, after beginning from the building and sale of a single home in Burlington, Ont.

“This award reflects our people’s passion, dedication to customers and each other, and the kind of culture that they live every single day,” added Carr. “At every level of the company we are so energized about our bright future and eager to carry this momentum into what’s going to be an exciting next 40 years.”

The Greater Toronto’s Top Employers competition, now in its 13^th year, is an editorial project that recognizes employers with quality human resource programs and workplace policies. Winners are selected from a wide pool of applicants following a comprehensive review of their operations and HR practices.

Construction starts on University of Toronto Schools restoration

The restoration and expansion of University of Toronto Schools (UTS) is underway as development on the project kicked off on Dec. 12, 2018. The renewed school will serve 670 students.

According to a press release, the design by Diamond Schmitt Architects will restore the heritage central and east wings built for the school by Darling and Pearson Architects in 1910 and 1924. Transformation of these wings includes conversion of the former gym into a Black Box Theatre – a new double gym is tucked under the park to conserve site area. The school program area is expanded by 40 per cent with a new wing that includes a 700-seat auditorium lifted above grade to allow the school library – conceived as a learning crossroads – to overlook the community and neighbourhood park. The former 25-yard pool will be converted into a music teaching space, while a parking lot will be transformed as a vertical forum and meeting place connecting the UTS community and all learning levels.

“UTS strengthens its historic alliance with the University of Toronto and with this compact plan enables the university to redevelop and expand on this gateway block of the St George campus,” said Donald Schmitt, Principal, Diamond Schmitt Architects.

The project is expected to be completed by September 2021.

The evolution of the FM avatar

It wasn’t long ago that companies had facility service needs for which it wasn’t clear who should take responsibility and where they should report within the company. These requirements included anything from light maintenance to arranging an office move. The staff hired to do this work may have had little or no relevant education but had related building and/or customer service experience.

Today, these and other facility-related services fall under the umbrella of facilities management (FM). FM professionals are now responsible for workplace activities and organizational requirements ranging from day-to-day demand maintenance to complex financial forecasting. FM has evolved to a point where there is higher demand, responsibility and accountability for the FM professional.

It’s important to look at why the job responsibilities of the FM have changed, how, and why some companies are limiting or stereotyping the FM’s contribution in order to understand how FM professionals can help their company realize their value moving forward.

Education and professionalization

Associations such as IFMA have helped to create industry standards and elevate the role of FM from trade to profession. This transition has also been helped along by education offerings from colleges and universities and designations and certifications such as BOMI’s Facility Management Administrator (FMA).

FM professionals have earned respect through higher education, ongoing professional development, and proven expertise at the C-Suite table. These days, they compete with professionals such as MBAs, who focus on human, business and financial requirements but are likely to lack a building-sciences background.

Changing FM responsibilities

There has been a move away from a narrowly defined job description for FM professionals toward a multi-disciplinary profession responsible for developing plans and strategies. Establishing priorities for the built environment demands a forward-looking mindset to ensure sustainable practices are implemented to protect and maintain company physical assets and develop payback options to defer capital expenditures. What’s more, FM requires a multi-pronged approach that goes beyond performance and functionality to include the implementation of strategic FM plans that support the organization’s strategic business plans and priorities.

Demographics and technology

There are a number of developments that have had an impact on the responsibilities of the FM professional.

Workplace demographics have significantly changed. Companies competing for talent have an interest in offering better physical work environments, recognizing that they have direct bearing on employee retention. This has translated into the use of workplace strategies including establishing collaborative and open-work environments.

At the same time, technology has facilitated a major change in how FM professionals operate. Mobile applications provide field access to FM database tools and integrate with intelligent building automation systems that can generate work orders. These solutions, along with ‘smart’ programs for a growing list of equipment genres, are fast becoming the new way of life in managing building and property maintenance.

Shaking off stereotypes

Over the past 20-plus years, the FM role has morphed from task master to strategic business partner. However, in some environments, the FM professional is still seen as dealing only with demand maintenance activities. But today’s FM professional doesn’t need to be afraid to push a little to change or enhance this role by continuously communicating and marketing the presence and value of FM. Contributing to and supporting the company’s strategic goals and priorities is imperative in this.

Continuous improvement ahead

FM professionals now represent quality, safety and cleanliness, and most importantly, effectiveness in managing the bottom line. As such, they need to continue to learn, keep abreast of trends and opportunities and surround themselves with mentors and peers so they can proactively recommend changes that show leadership or advance the company’s core priorities.

No longer seen as the maintenance providers, the FM is now appreciated as the “caretaker with a tie.” FMs should take pride in the achievements of the profession, understanding the traditional role while continuously raising the bar by ensuring facilities perform at their best.

Marcia O’Connor is president of AM FM Consulting Group. She is also lead consultant and instructor for the University of Toronto’s FM certificate program.

Unit sub-metering providers dodge OEB oversight

A planned repeal of the Ontario Energy Board’s authority to set electricity rates for sub-metered units in multi-residential buildings is among amendments to more than a dozen provincial statutes introduced in Bill 66, the proposed Restoring Ontario’s Competitiveness Act, last week. Accordingly, rental housing industry observers foresee that it could heighten competition between sub-metering enterprises and residential landlords for tenants’ limited funds.

“If the sub-metering fees go up, it is more difficult for the landlord to secure a rent increase or for tenants to maintain the ability to pay,” says Joe Hoffer, a partner specializing in residential tenancy, real estate and land use planning law with Cohen Highley LLP. “So it is actually in landlords’ interests to ensure the sub-metering providers are regulated from a consumer protection perspective.”

In practice, the Ontario Energy Board (OEB) has never exercised its oversight of how unit sub-metering providers (USMP) charge for services since it is a new responsibility, arising from the previous government’s circa 2017 Fair Hydro Plan Act, which came into force earlier this year. At that time, the OEB decreed that existing contracted rates would remain in place while it completed consultations and established a rate-setting methodology.

“USMPs may, on an interim basis, apply the charges set out in any agreements with their customers until new charges are approved by the OEB,” the OEB ordered on March 15, 2018. “To be clear, when the OEB establishes USMP charges on a final basis, it may decide to make them retroactive to April 1, 2018, in which case the revenue difference between the interim and final charges would be recovered from, or refunded to, the USMP’s customers, as the case may be.”

An Ontario government backgrounder, released in association with the introduction of Bill 66, estimates sub-metering providers will save an estimated $1.3 million annually when the OEB’s regulatory authority is rescinded. “It would also reduce a barrier to investment by giving investors greater confidence in the competitiveness of this market,” the backgrounder maintains.

An USMP executive notes that his sector is already highly regulated. “We are already licensed and regulated by the OEB and must comply with all applicable legislation, including the Unit Sub-metering Code,” says Peter Mills, co-CEO, Wyse Meter Solutions. “The Code prescribes conduct that USMPs must follow, as related to: installation, verification of meters, opening and closing new accounts, transferring accounts from one USMP to another, connections and disconnections, security deposits, tampering, billing consumers, record-keeping, and application of provincial programs.”

Ontario’s Energy Consumer Protection Act mandates suite meters in all newly constructed multi-residential buildings. To protect against potentially disadvantageous deals developers may have signed with USMPs, condominium corporations can withdraw from agreements during the first 12 months of their incorporation. However, Hoffer cautions that few in-suite end-customers have sophisticated market knowledge.

“Most tenants just sign the documents and don’t do an analysis of the reasonableness or competitiveness of the admin charges levied by sub-meter providers,” he submits.

“Having consumers pay for energy and/or water use by metering at the suite level has proven savings and should be encouraged, but, in my opinion, consumers should be protected from unwarranted costs suite meter providers might charge,” says Andrew Pride, an energy management consultant specializing in sustainability and strategic conservation planning. “Perhaps that could be measures in the Condominium Act and the Residential Tenancies Act to ensure that USMP rates are no higher than the default local utility charge.”

However, Hoffer sees that solution as more problematic than simply leaving consumer protection oversight with the OEB.

“Controlling rates in any way under the Condominium Act or the Residential Tenancies Act would then expose landlords and condo boards to substantial costs associated with challenging the admin charges,” he notes. “Those challenges can require sophisticated accounting and opinion evidence, normally presented at the OEB in the context of rate regulation.”

Canada, Ontario invest in Massey Hall revitalization

The federal and provincial governments are each investing $30 million into Phase 2 of the Massey Hall Revitalization project, which will see the renovation and expansion of Canada’s oldest concert hall.

Phase 1 of the project, which included decommissioning the old Albert Building and preparing the footprint for the new tower, was completed in 2017.

The venue was closed in July 2018 for Phase 2 of the project, which will include a full restoration of the exterior and interior of the building, including 100 original stained-glass windows. A new seven-storey tower addition will feature a live music stage and performance studio. The budget for Phase 2 is up to $113 million. When complete, the revitalized Massey Hall will feature three fully accessible performance stages.

“People travel from all over the world to experience a concert at Massey Hall in person. The renewal of Massey Hall will not only preserve the incredible history of the venue, it will also help Ontario’s up-and-coming artists and performers by creating a new performance space with a 500-person capacity to help develop their skills,” said Michael Tibollo, Minister of Tourism, Culture and Sport, in a press release.

The iconic Massey Hall is a designated National Historic Site, built in 1894 as a gift from Hart Massey to the citizens of Toronto. It has hosted thousands of performances from musical legends including Ella Fitzgerald, The Tragically Hip, Rush and Gordon Lightfoot. Historical figures including Winston Churchill and the Dalai Lama have also appeared on its stage.

Winter vacation condos post strong 2018 price gains

Homes in many key winter recreational real estate markets in Canada are experiencing strong year-over-year price appreciation due to demand from retirees, investors and buyers interested in winter getaways, finds the recently released Winter Recreational Report from Royal LePage.

In western Canada, the average price of a condominium in winter recreation regions climbed at a faster pace compared to detached properties, while the median price for detached homes fell.

In Whistler, B.C., home prices in both the detached and condominium segments have climbed considerably. The average price of a detached home rose 14.5 per cent year-over-year to $2,400,000, while the average price of a condominium jumped 26.5 per cent on an annual basis to $610,000.

“More affordable properties are still seeing high demand, despite a slowing in overall activity,” said Pat Kelly of Royal LePage Black Tusk, in a press release. “The B.C. foreign buyer tax and speculation tax does not apply to Whistler, and as such there has been no drop in interest from international buyers. That being said, recreational properties in the area are primarily bought and sold by individuals who are local to the province, while international buyers only represent a small proportion of sales in Whistler. In 2019, we expect further price appreciation, albeit at a slower pace than in previous years.”

Kelly went on to say that the increase in tourism over the last five years has resulted in an increased demand for condominium properties, as many buyers are looking for short-term income rental and investment properties.

The region of Invermere, B.C. features more affordable recreational properties, with the average price of a detached home falling to $401,250, resulting in an increase of sales in lower-priced properties, which impacts the median home value. The wildfires that occurred in the region earlier this year also slowed sales activity over the summer months, but sales activity in the region is expected to ramp up in 2019.

In Canmore, Alta., located just 20 minutes from Banff, the average price for a detached home fell by 1.1 per cent on an annual basis to $918,500. Meanwhile, condos in the region saw prices climb 9.6 per cent year-over-year to $472,000, along with a sizable increase in sales activity.

In Collingwood, Ont., median property prices continued to climb this year. Detached home prices increased 6.3 per cent on an annual basis to $549,900. Meanwhile, condo properties saw prices rise 5.4 per cent year-over-year to $407,700.

According to Royal LePage, there has been an increase in sales activity in the $300,000 to $500,000 price range. Next year, the demand for recreational properties in Collingwood is predicted to remain steady, as baby boomers purchase these properties for use after retirement.

Average home prices in most of Quebec’s recreational regions have posted year-over-year increases due to increased demand, mostly for condo units, from vacation home-seeking Gen Xers. Royal LePage finds that the province’s strong economic performance and consumer confidence have driven demand for the region’s winter recreational properties as Quebec home buyers with more flexible incomes put upward pressure on recreational property prices.

Between January and October 2018, the average price of a condo located at the foot of Mont-Tremblant’s ski station climbed 30.0 per cent year-over-year to $325,000. During that same period, the average price of a condo in Mont-Tremblant’s Village increased 8.1 per cent on an annual basis to $186,500, while the price of a detached home rose 1.9 per cent to $425,000.

Moving further away from the slopes saw home prices drop, as in St-Jovite, where detached home prices fell 1.3 per cent year-over-year to $230,000, while the average price of a condo unit saw a 2.2 per cent increase to $199,950.

“Proximity to the slopes is a key requirement for many buyers. Mountain-side properties are appreciating at a healthy pace, especially in Mont-Tremblant where the resort is undergoing significant improvements,” added Paul Dalbec, real estate broker. “Mont-Tremblant’s popularity keeps growing as a renowned ski resort, including among international buyers whose numbers are increasing over the years.”

Other vacation regions in the province, such as Saint-Sauveur, saw prices of detached homes and condos climb 18.9 per cent year-over-year to $305,000 and $270,000, respectively. Meanwhile, Bromont saw condominium prices rise 8.9 per cent year-over-year to $247,500, as Orford and Sutton experienced price increases of 12.6 and 10.1 per cent to $295,000 and $345,000, respectively.

Most coveted by buyers are waterfront and slope side homes, which allow residents to ski in and out of the property, although these are usually more expensive. Meanwhile, many baby boomers are looking to purchase secondary homes, intending to move in permanently after their retirement.

IEHA adds waste audit to sustainability certification

IEHA, a division of ISSA that focuses on the health care and hospitality sectors of the cleaning industry, announced its Sustainability Professional (SP) Credential now requires applicants to demonstrate practical competencies in waste management reduction and process improvement.

The revisions to the IEHA SP Credential now requires applicants to:

1. Conduct a waste audit in their facilities, document their findings, and begin an intervention to reduce the waste stream, report results, and follow up on actions.

2. Select two additional topics from the list below for demonstrating proficiencies in process improvement:
a. Conduct an energy audit in one or more areas of their facility, document findings, identify and begin a process to reduce energy use, measure outcomes, and recommend next steps.
b. Select a vendor or supplier and jointly review actions it has taken to green its processes and products. Evaluate and document sustainability claims of proposed or procured products. Develop a mutually beneficial process improvement project that involves collaboration with the vendor. Report results and follow-up actions.
c. Institute a more sustainable, lower toxicity process for cleaning and disinfection to reduce the potential for healthcare-acquired infections (HAIs). Document team member participation, process improvement steps taken, and measured outcomes. Report results and follow-up actions.
d. Conduct a water usage audit, select and begin a process to reduce water use, document their findings, actions, and next steps.
e. Conduct a study of the usage of blue wrap, a polypropylene plastic used in operating rooms to maintain sterility, and how hard packaging or recycling could reduce the related waste stream. Select and begin a process improvement and measure results then report outcomes and follow-up actions.

3. Document projects above in a single essay of 750-1,000 words explaining the approaches, rationale, team formation, specific interventions, measured outcomes, failures, and follow-up actions. A short PowerPoint presentation providing a visual record of the process is also required.

4. Pass a qualifying classroom exam, which must be completed within 30 days following completion of the classroom course.

Visit www.ieha.org and for more information contact IEHA’s executive director Michael Patterson at [email protected].

Gatineau government facility wins TOBY award

The Library and Archives Canada (LAC) Preservation Centre in Gatineau, Que. was honoured with the 2018 Outstanding Building of the Year (TOBY) award at a recent ceremony held by BOMA Canada. The facility, which was the only government building in the running this year, was awarded first place in the national BOMA Best – Gold “Corporate Facility” category.

The TOBYs reward building quality and management excellence in Canada. Facilities are selected based on numerous criteria, including energy conservation, environment, sustainability, emergency preparedness, security standards and training of building staff.

“This recognition is an acknowledgement of Library and Archives Canada’s efforts to preserve Canada’s documentary heritage under optimal conditions, while making effective use of the financial resources at its disposal,” said Guy Berthiaume, librarian and archivist of Canada, in a press release.

Accepting the award were employees of LAC and Brookfield Global Integrated Solutions Canada LP, the property manager of the building. The team plans to enter the LAC Preservation Centre in the upcoming international TOBY competition, with winners to be announced at event taking place in June 2019 in Salt Lake City, Utah.

Photo: At centre, surrounded by BOMA award representatives, from left to right: Steve Chartré (Real Property Services, Public Services and Procurement Canada), Jennifer Côté (Real Property, Library and Archives Canada) and Manon Brazeau (Property Manager, Brookfield Global Integrated Solutions Canada LP).

MediaEdge and ISSA launch new trade show

MediaEdge’s Real Estate Management Industry (REMI) Network and ISSA, the worldwide cleaning association, are pleased to announce a new trade show for the cleaning and maintenance industry – ISSA Show Canada – taking place June 11-13, 2019 at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre.

The new collaboration will offer educational seminars, networking opportunities and trade show exhibitors showcasing a range of products, equipment and services to keep facilities clean, healthy, sustainable and operating smoothly.

“We have a deep history of providing sector-relevant and informative content through print, digital and trade show products in concert with some 80 association partners,” said MediaEdge president Kevin Brown. “Our Real Estate Management Industry Network’s 102,000-plus audience is well positioned to co-produce ISSA Show Canada with this industry-leading organization.”

The joint venture will provide a forum for facility, property and operations managers to meet leading suppliers of cleaning products and services, keep up with market trends and share experiences with their industry peers — professional development to benefit their buildings, staff and tenants.

“We are committed to uniting the industry and raising the bar in order to achieve healthier and sustainable buildings,” said Mike Nosko, executive director of ISSA Canada. “Together, ISSA and the REMI Network are elevating the standards of professionalism in the cleaning industry, and the robust education program at ISSA Show Canada will deliver on that commitment, resulting in a more knowledgeable and better-trained cleaning staff.”

For further information contact Chuck Nervick, senior vice-president, MediaEdge at [email protected] or Mike Nosko, ISSA Canada’s executive director at [email protected].

B.C. releases CleanBC to achieve climate targets

The Government of British Columbia has released its CleanBC, developed as a pathway to achieve the province’s legislated climate targets of reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by 40 per cent by the year 2030, based on 2007 levels. The plan describes and quantifies measures that will eliminate 18.9 megatonnes (Mt) of its 2030 target. Remaining reduction initiatives will be quantified over the next 18 to 24 months.

Highlights of the CleanBC plan include:

By 2040, every new car sold in B.C. will be a zero-emission vehicle. Government is helping people afford cleaner cars and save money on fuel with incentive programs, and making it easier to charge or fuel them: 1.3 Mt of carbon pollution reduced by 2030
The Province is speeding up the switch to cleaner fuels at the gas pump – with further reductions to the carbon intensity of transportation fuels: 4.0 Mt of carbon pollution reduced by 2030
Every new building constructed in B.C. will be “net-zero energy ready” by 2032. Along the way, government is requiring new buildings to be more efficient, and ramping up funding for renovations and energy retrofits to existing homes and offices, including $400 million to support retrofits and upgrades for B.C.’s stock of publicly funded housing: 2.0 Mt of carbon pollution reduced by 2030
Government is helping B.C. to reduce residential and industrial organic waste, turning it into a clean resource: 0.7 Mt of carbon pollution reduced by 2030
The Province is helping industry lower its emissions and reduce its pollution: 8.4 Mt of carbon pollution reduced by 2030

Through the BC Energy Step Code, the province is the first in Canada to define a clear path for all new buildings to be net-zero energy ready (ultra energy efficient) by 2032.

The CleanBC climate plan includes new deadlines and requirements for boosting energy efficiency in new construction. As of 2022 builders will need to meet the performance requirements of Step 3, Part 9 and Step 2, Part 3 of the BC Energy Step Code. Five years after that, the requirements will increase again, as the province moves another “step” up the energy efficiency staircase on the way to net-zero energy-ready new buildings in 2032.

Between 2022 and 2025, new energy efficiency standards will be set for space heaters, water heaters and residential windows. These will build on improvements introduced in 2018, which set new standards for lighting, air source heat pumps and gas fireplaces.

Starting in the coming year, the province will also offer new incentives for builders, developers and manufacturers to stimulate the development and demonstration of innovative, low-carbon building solutions.

The Low Carbon Buildings Innovation Program will accelerate the availability, acceptance and affordability of high performance solutions such as advanced building designs, advanced construction methods and ultra-efficient building components.

Ontario invests in rebuilding West Niagara hospital

The Government of Ontario has announced plans to rebuild West Lincoln Memorial Hospital, starting with providing a $500,000 grant to fund early planning efforts.

The province also plans to invest $8.5 million to support immediate infrastructure improvements, beginning this month, while the early planning work for the redevelopment of the hospital is completed. These upgrades include work on the hospital’s elevator, emergency generator, fire alarm system, nurse call systems, cooling and heating, plumbing and electrical systems, replacement of flooring tiles and selected cabinets and casework.

“The health and safety of patients across Ontario is a key point for our government,” said Christine Elliott, Deputy Premier and Minister of Health and Long-Term Care, in a press release. “That is why I am proud to announce important investments in health infrastructure like West Lincoln Memorial Hospital, so the people of Grimsby and the surrounding area have access to the high quality and reliable health care they deserve, close to home.”

On average each year, over 25,000 people visit the emergency department at West Lincoln Memorial Hospital, and over 2,900 are admitted to the hospital. In addition, approximately 1,000 babies are born each year at the hospital.