Survey exposes the most germ-covered surface in airports

The trays used to put carry-on luggage and personal items in airport security check areas carry the highest frequency of respiratory viruses, revealed a study titled Deposition of respiratory virus pathogens on frequently touched surfaces at airports.

The study was conducted by scientists from Finland and the U.K. and published in the BMC Infectious Diseases journal. The researchers identified surfaces which are frequently touched and where passenger density would be high during the 2015-2016 flu season at Helsinki-Vantaa Airport in order to recognize hotspots for contact transmission risk. The continuous growth in air travel increases the likelihood of rapid spread of infectious diseases. Major traffic hubs like large airports receive passengers from all over the world and the continuous growth in air travel increases the likelihood of rapid spread of infectious diseases.

The results found that security bins pose the highest potential risk for surface contamination. Four out of the 8 samples detected respiratory viruses which cause cold-like symptoms. This is consistent with security procedures being a mandatory step for all passengers and the fact that each tray is quickly recycled, and not routinely disinfected adds to the likelihood of the trays being germ-ridden.

Other high-risk surfaces include handrails of stairs, desk and divider glass at the passport control point, and buttons of payment terminal at the pharmacy.

No respiratory viruses were detected from samples taken from surfaces of toilets such as on the upper surface of the toilet bowl lid, button for flushing, and the lock at the door inside the toilet. According to the research, these results don’t come as a big surprise as passengers likely pay close attention to limit contact with surfaces in a washroom environment.

Measures to take to reduce the spread of germs include:
• Offering hand sanitization with alcohol before and after security screening
• Increasing the frequency of tray disinfection
• Improving hand sanitization opportunities where any repeat touching of surfaces takes place
• Enhancing the cleaning of frequently touched surfaces
• Increased use of non-touch devices and possibly
• Effective barriers for face-to-face droplet contact at service counters

VRCA urges Trans Mountain project forward

The Vancouver Regional Construction Association (VRCA) joins the Canadian Construction Association (CCA) in appealing to all parties involved in the Trans Mountain project to come together to negotiate an acceptable path forward.

The August 30 ruling by the Federal Court of Appeals’ to quash the Trans Mountain expansion project is a blow to investor and public confidence in Canada.

“We’re disappointed the pipeline expansion project is now in limbo and are concerned for the jobs of the 5,000 men and women who were expecting to be working on the project by mid-2019,” said Fiona Famulak, VRCA president. “We encourage all parties to come together to get this project back on track and are heartened by the Prime Minister’s recent statements about working collaboratively on a way forward.

“At the same time, in order to allow future key infrastructure projects to proceed without delay, our engagement processes must be addressed and ground rules established and adhered to regarding what constitutes sufficient consultation. We need that clarity and transparency in order to protect the global reputation of Canada as a safe and secure place to invest and do business.”

VRCA and CCA have long advocated for sustainable development, recognizing the need to balance environmental and economic considerations in the decision-making process. The court’s decision has put Canada’s reputation with the Canadian and international business communities at risk.

“We are asking the federal government to take the necessary actions to address the issues that led to that decision to move forward collaboratively with the Trans Mountain expansion project,” said Mary Van Buren, CCA’s president.

The construction industry is a significant contributor to the Canadian economy, and the construction industry is committed to working with the federal government and stakeholders to advance this Canadian infrastructure project that will generate significant economic opportunity and benefits for all Canadians.

In order to attract these kinds of major projects, the federal government must create a climate of confidence in Canada, based on predictable and comprehensive approval and inclusive consultation processes.

Revisit inclusionary zoning reg: REALPAC to province

REALPAC is calling on the new administration at Queen’s Park to revisit Ontario’s inclusionary zoning regulation.

The national industry association, which represents Canada’s real property sector, would like to see the province define requirements around reserving units in new developments for affordable housing. As it stands, the regulation defers to municipalities on specifics, paving the way for uneven implementation.

This message comes in a new white paper, Does Inclusionary Zoning Work? In it, REALPAC finds that inconsistent application and unbalanced partnership between government and industry could blunt the effectiveness of this policy tool and produce opposite, unintended consequences.

“Inclusionary zoning, contrary to the understanding of some policymakers, is not free housing,” said Michael Brooks, CEO of REALPAC. “If used improperly, it can drive up costs for home-buyers and work at cross-purposes with government housing plans that seek to improve access and affordability.”

For example, the white paper points out that municipal provisions for how long housing delivered through inclusionary zoning must remain affordable have the potential to lock buyers into this subsidized product. In order to facilitate their move-up to market-rate housing, the white paper asserts that buyers should be able to realize increases in the value of their property at the time of its resale.

Province-wide definitions were dropped from the regulation between its draft and final version, enacted this past winter, in a move the white paper says blindsided industry stakeholders. REALPAC sees a resurrection of the industry-supported provisions contained in the draft version of the regulation as the way forward on inclusionary zoning. At the same time, however, the industry association cautions that the policy tool should be treated as one of last resort, to be used alongside and where other policy tools fail to deliver affordable housing.

Colliers International acquires Landmark Properties

The commercial real estate services firm, Colliers International has announced the acquisition of Landmark Properties, an asset advisory services and real estate management firm based in Quebec.

Landmark provides real estate asset advisory services including asset management, property management, leasing and lease administration, and project management services to clients.

“Quebec is an important and growing market in Canada and home to several of Canada’s largest institutional real estate investors,” said David Bowden, CEO of Colliers International in Canada in a press release.

The acquisition significantly expands Colliers’ existing operations and national service offering. It also aligns with its national asset advisory services and real estate management business, providing specialized real estate asset management for institutional-quality real estate owners including risk management, sustainability plans, property management and specialized professional staffing to support complex, multi-market listings.

“Landmark professionals have deep local market knowledge in Quebec and by augmenting our existing operations, we now offer a complete asset advisory services and real estate management solution across Canada,” said John Duda, executive vice-president of real estate management services for Colliers International in Canada.

“By joining Colliers and leveraging the size, capital and established infrastructure of its Canadian and global platforms, we are better positioned than ever to serve the increasingly complex needs of our property investor clients,” said Luc Sicotte, president and CEO of Landmark Properties.

Californians urge scrutiny of seismic resistance

Buildings with questionable seismic resistance will be more transparent in California if Governor Gerry Brown signs recently approved state legislation into law. Late last month, both the state Senate and Assembly endorsed bill AB 2681, calling for a statewide inventory of buildings deemed to be “potentially vulnerable” in a major earthquake.

As envisioned, local governments will be tasked with identifying the buildings and notifying their owners. Owners will then have to prove their buildings are sound before they can be removed from the list.

“California contains thousands of buildings that are known to present an unacceptably high earthquake risk of death, injury and damage based on their age, structural system, size and location,” the introductory context for the bill states. “The most recent California ShakeOut study estimates that a major quake along the San Andreas Fault could cause more than $200 billion dollars in physical and economic damage and could result in up to 1,800 or more deaths.”

Several emergency response agencies, local governments and professional, industry and citizens’ organizations are expressing support for the legislation. Proponents such as the Seismic Resilience Initiative (SRI) tally the social, economic and environmental benefits that could arise from compulsory reporting. In addition to an inventory of buildings, the bill also makes provision for a database of funding mechanisms, including federal, state and local incentives, bond issues and private grants that can be leveraged for seismic upgrades of building stock.

However, the League of California Cities is advocating that the Governor veto the bill, arguing that it would be an undue burden on local government. “While well intentioned, we simply do not have the resources to implement the provisions in this bill without an appropriate level of funding,” the League’s template lobbying letter states.

The law would apply where at least half of a city or county’s territory is within an area the U.S. Geological Survey has tagged for higher probability of a major earthquake. In such cases, local building officials would compile a list of potentially vulnerable buildings, based on design, materials and the building code in force at the time of construction. Owners of listed buildings would then be required to engage a professional engineer to assess the structure, and submit the results of the engineer’s report to local authorities.

Allowing time to identify buildings and for owners to respond, local jurisdictions would be expected to submit their finalized lists to California’s Office of Emergency Services by January 1, 2023. It will be responsible for overseeing the envisioned state inventory.

“Knowing a structure is at-risk of failure in an earthquake is the first step to protecting vulnerable buildings that make up much of the state’s more affordable housing stock,” SRI maintained in a release urging Governor Brown to enact the law. “Many seismically vulnerable buildings contain asbestos and lead, which, when released into the air and groundwater from crumbled rubble will burden landfills and pose a public health problem of potentially overwhelming impacts.”

ABM elects Don Colleran to its board of directors

ABM, a provider of building maintenance and facility services across Canada and the United States, has named Don Colleran an independent director effective September, 6.

Colleran is an executive vice-president and chief sales officer at FedEx Corporation, a publicly-traded provider of transportation, e-commerce and business services worldwide. Since 1989, Colleran has served in a variety of leadership positions at FedEx in positions such as international sales manager, executive vice-president of global sales and solutions, senior vice-president of international sales and president.
Colleran brings more than two decades of sales, management, and strategic experience.

“As the newest addition to our board we welcome Don and look forward to his contributions. The depth of Don’s revenue generation experience and his overall business acumen will be insightful and impactful as ABM continues to build a lasting foundation for a profitable future,” said Sudhakar Kesavan, Chairman of ABM’s board of directors, in a press statement.

“Don’s impressive background complements the breadth of experience represented by our strong board,” added Scott Salmirs, president and CEO of ABM. “We continue to attract high caliber leaders to supplement our board as part of our succession planning strategy. We are excited about our future collaboration.”

Colleran also serves on the board of directors of EastGroup Properties.

Arc’teryx showcases mountain-inspired steel design

Several factors influenced the design of the new Arc’teryx flagship store in Vancouver but all led to the prominent use of zinc on the exterior. The retail chain, founded by local climbers in 1989, offers high-performance outdoor equipment and clothing. Custom titanium zinc panels, installed on a diagonal facade along with natural granite to symbolize the nearby mountain horizon, highlight the retailer’s largest Canadian store.

The building itself was previously two adjoining linear structures that required major renovation to meet design objectives. Architectural and construction management services were provided by Unison Construction Management Ltd.

“We demolished a significant portion of the front of the building and reconstructed it to increase support for the facade height that was added,” said Ehsan Vali, Unison’s lead designer on the project. “It was a big challenge for our structural engineers. And we had to bring the building up to code in all disciplines — it was quite complicated for what you would expect from a 4,000 square foot building.”

Selection of the zinc for the exterior was inspired by Arc’teryx itself, according to Vali. “A lot of their products rely on metal components. They’re very durable and require precision in their manufacturing,” he said.

Titanium zinc was also used on the interior as infill material for various racks and product display areas.

Arc’teryx, which operates five stores in Canada and 32 stores globally, positions its products as “built on the principle of obsessive, precise design and production” that provides “timeless quality and unrivaled performance.”

“I knew I wanted to use metal and zinc caught my attention early on,” said Vali. “I discovered that the nearby mountains contain significant deposits of both zinc and copper. And I came across different pictures of actual raw zinc and noticed the very linear, angular, clear lines with a bit of sheen. We quickly settled on titanium zinc as the right material to deliver the ‘cool’, modern aesthetic to complement the brand.”

Approximately 2,000 square feet of custom panels were fabricated and installed by Ace Copper Specialists in Surrey. “I wanted a fabricator and installer that could do an art piece,” said Vali. “Ace did a fantastic job. We’re very pleased with the outcome.”

Paul Dore, president of Ace Copper Specialists, worked closely with Vali in designing the 24” x 48” custom graphite-grey panels, according to Jason Dore, the company’s chief operating officer. Early in the design process, Dore provided a sample zinc shingle to the design team and “they loved it,” according to Dore.

The mountain-inspired architectural design called for the panels to be installed on the diagonal as well as wrapped around a sharp 90 degree corner.

“To further complicate the job,” said Dore. “The cap line at the roof was at a slightly different angle than the angle of the shingles. We hand-fabricated all of the top shingles on-site. And the designer didn’t want seams when we wrapped the panels around the corner. The installation had to be perfect to keep the angles all in place. The job was a challenge but turned out to be really striking.”

Cosentino opens Vancouver showroom

Cosentino, a global leader in the production and distribution of innovative surfaces for architecture and design, officially opened its new Vancouver centre in September. Members of the A&D community attended the soft opening, previewing the space and latest colours from the Silestone, Dekton and Sensa brands.

The new centre highlights Cosentino’s international growth and continued commitment in the Canadian market. The modernized 4,000 square foot showroom is located next to the West Coast distribution centre and will remain the hub for the growing British Columbia region. The new Cosentino Vancouver centre is located at 8603 Glenlyon Parkway in Burnaby.

The Vancouver centre gives architects, designers, project managers and consumers the chance to experience the wide range of Cosentino products, including Dekton ultra-compact surfaces and Silestone natural quartz. Cosentino’s Bathroom Collection is also on display, showcasing a variety of unique design possibilities featuring sinks, shower surrounds and bath trays.

A state-of-the-art sample viewing room and technologically-advanced work spaces allows trade professionals to work on project development directly at the Centre. Cosentino’s expert Vancouver team can offer information and personalized assistance to customers using interactive technologies that enhance the product selection and customization experience.

“We look forward to continuing to grow the Cosentino brand in the West Coast market. This important region hosts an incredible amount of Canadian design talent and by increasing our presence here with our new Vancouver Centre, we can effectively meet the industry’s surfacing needs.” said Eduardo Martinez-Cosentino, EVP global sales for Cosentino Group and CEO of Cosentino North America.

As a Spain-based, family-owned business with nearly 40 years of history, Cosentino has long been a globally trusted surfacing brand. The opening of the Vancouver Centre reflects the company’s overarching strategy to strengthen its position as the surfacing leader in the North American market.

Cosentino has two city centre showrooms, one in Old Montreal and one in Toronto, as well as four Cosentino Centres located in Stanstead, Toronto, Calgary and Vancouver.

Ikea installs rooftop solar panels on Alberta stores

On track with its commitment to renewable energy, IKEA Canada announced over 5,000 solar panels are being installed on its stores in Edmonton and Calgary.

At a capacity of 840 kilowatts (kW), the IKEA Edmonton system will be one of the largest commercial rooftop solar systems in the city, with 2,905 panels and expected production of 1180 megawatt hours (MWh). It will offset approximately 878 tonnes of CO2 emissions per year. The 660kW IKEA Calgary system will have 2,240 panels and expected production of 1000 MWh, offsetting approximately 744 tonnes of C02 emissions per year.

The retailer already has solar panels on all five stores in Ontario and its store in Halifax.

“IKEA is committed to operating our business within the natural limits of the planet – and to enable our customers to do the same,” said Brendan Seale, head of sustainability for IKEA Canada. “These investments support our objectives to manage energy costs effectively, reduce our emissions, and achieve energy independence by 2020.”

Once operational, the solar installations will reduce the company’s annual energy use in Alberta by approximately 25 per cent. IKEA Canada partnered with Energy Efficiency Alberta to finance the two solar projects and RESCo Energy Inc., for the design, installation, and maintenance.

“Energy Efficiency Alberta’s Residential and Commercial Solar Program offers incentives for homes, businesses and non-profits,” said Monica Curtis, CEO of Energy Efficiency Alberta. “We’re very pleased to support IKEA in Calgary and Edmonton by contributing 25 per cent of the total cost of the projects which will reduce C02 by over 40,000 tonnes over their lifetimes.”

The solar panels are expected to be operational by end of the year.

Record-setting U.S. rent growth continues

U.S. multifamily rents in August maintained the year’s torrid pace, according to the Yardi Matrix Multifamily National Report for August 2018. The $1,412 nationwide average for the month represented a 3% year-over-year increase and was the seventh consecutive all-time high, according to a survey of 127 markets.

U.S. multifamily rents have grown steadily throughout 2018, buoyed by the strong economy and continued healthy demand. The 25-basis-point increase in the occupancy rate of stabilized properties since January is “particularly impressive, considering that 2018 is on pace for a third straight year of some 300,000 new units,” the report notes, adding, “The multifamily market … shows no signs of being at the end of its cycle.”

August’s year-over-year rent growth leaders—Orlando, Fla.; Las Vegas; California’s Inland Empire; Phoenix; Tampa, Fla.—have populated most of this year’s monthly rankings. Metros in the South and West occupied the nine top spots in August.

Notable report highlights:

Rents increased 3.1% nationwide in August, as the multifamily industry maintains consistent growth. Fundamentals appear to be in balance, as moderate rent appreciation, steady occupancy rates and new deliveries are supported by strong demand for apartments.
Orlando (6.7%) once again led the top 30 metros on a year-over-year basis, while other popular retirement metros Las Vegas (5.7%), Phoenix (5.3%), and Tampa (4.8%), were also among the top performers. The Inland Empire (5.4%) ranked third overall, as Los Angeles residents continue to migrate eastward in search of more affordable housing.
Renter By Necessity (3.5%) continues to outperform Lifestyle (2.4%) as new supply hinders rent growth of luxury units.

View the full Yardi Matrix Multifamily National Report for August 2018 for additional detail and insight into 127 major U.S. real estate markets.

When board directors have ‘skin in the game’

Many condominium communities aim to leverage the professional experience of their directors. Matching a director’s role with their expertise makes sense. If, for example, a member of the board has an accounting background, the treasurer’s role would seem a better fit for them over someone without relatable knowledge to bring to the position. Many prospective directors share their resumes in the course of running for election to highlight how they may be able to apply their professional experience to contribute.

What happens, however, when a prospective director has not only professional experience to offer, but professional experience in the condo industry? Are there additional benefits to the community, or drawbacks?

An uneven playing field

An advantage of having someone with ties to the condo industry serve on the board is that they can bring to the role understanding, connections and experience. No longer is the community limited to its property manager’s Rolodex. Camaraderie among directors at the board level can include a heightened sense of understanding with the director’s condo experience available to draw upon.

While there may be risk of stepping on the toes of property management, many managers express appreciation for working with directors who have condo-industry ties, citing their understanding as being helpful to staying on track at meetings and their connection base to offering an additional check and balance in decision making.

While the ties a director may have to the condo industry outside of their own community can offer benefits, they give rise to hurdles as well. Other directors may put the “industry insider” on a pedestal — granting them more control than they should — while others may grow wary of a hidden agenda. In either instance, the board risks moving away from the mindset of all directors being equal, which can be problematic.

Giving back or taking?

Serving as a condo director can have a polarizing impact for an individual within a community. It is not possible to please everyone. While some will appreciate the effort, it is only natural for directors to make enemies politically. When a director has ties to the condo industry that extend beyond the community they serve, it can be all too easy for someone to allege a conflict of interest, ulterior motives or self-interest guiding board decisions they oppose. This can be exacerbated when there is misunderstanding about the impact the decisions of the board has on the director’s life outside of the community.

What’s in it for them? Almost every condo director at some point is either asked or poses this question to themselves. Serving on a condo board can be thankless. Why would someone want to do it? Mistrust can easily be formed when this is not clear.

However, when a condo industry expert is personally invested in a community, would it not make sense for them to be tempted to give back? Some may feel an obligation to do so, if not for the collective benefit of all owners, to at least protect their investment.

A director is just a director

A challenge for anyone with expertise to be leveraged in the boardroom is the risk that they will be viewed as a free, in-house option for guidance in place of paid, professional help. For example, a lawyer serving on the board may be asked to provide legal advice to save the condo money. While free legal advice is often as valuable as what is paid for it, the protection offered to directors from attracting personal liability by relying on a qualified professionals under Section 37(3)(b) of the Condominium Act is hampered when the professional opinion comes from a board member.

While a condo community may be able to benefit from the insight of a condo expert serving on their board, it can be very important for the rest of the board — not to mention the director themselves — to appreciate their role in the boardroom and work within it. Returning to the example of a lawyer on the board, such a director may most appropriately contribute by helping determine when it may be appropriate to obtain a legal opinion rather than provide one personally.

Professional fallout

While some may wonder if the condo expert director could gain professionally from their role on the board, it would be a mistake to ignore what they have to lose. Consider a board that decides to terminate property management. While the average director may care less about the outgoing management company, a director with ties to the industry may face professional backlash if the outgoing manager is upset about their departure.

To manage this — as well as to address perceptions of gaining professionally from board decisions — many condo industry experts who serve on boards excuse themselves from taking part in awarding major contracts. They can assist in identifying appropriate candidates for consideration, and leave the determination as to which one to go with to the balance of the board. This does not entirely prevent the risk of backlash, but it’s one way of allowing a condo to leverage industry expertise while ensuring that the community alone is considered in coming to a decision.

While some do not like the notion of a director who is hesitant to fully contribute as a result of external factors, others see great value in what the condo expert director brings and considers steps they take to manage perceptions of conflict as a small price to pay for it. They view the director helping to identify capable prospective service providers as comforting.

The delicate balance

There is no question that there are complications when a condo director has ties to the industry, yet communities served by such directors can benefit greatly from their contribution. There are many ways to allow the community to leverage such expertise without crossing lines, but it’s important to establish boundaries to ensure that the contribution of an expert director is made appropriately.

Marc Bhalla Hons.B.A, C.Med, Q.Arb, MCIArb is a mediator and arbitrator who focuses his practice on condominium conflict management. He draws on his experience as a former condominium director to help troubled boards navigate internal conflict and otherwise applies his personal condominium experience to empathize with his clients. Marc can be reached at [email protected].

KnightsBridge launches Arborescence condo project

KnightsBridge has officially launched Arborescence, a new condominium development located directly on the Kamloops Trail of Quebec’s Bromont Mountain.

The new eco-friendly, multi-phase project is targeting LEED certification and will be comprised of approximately 260 units. The first phase of 48 units is set to launch on Sept. 19, and will be complete towards the end of 2019. The investment on this project is estimated at $100 million.

The development showcases streamlined Scandinavian architecture, providing a retreat in the heart of the forest while allowing residents to take advantage of activities year-round such as enjoying ski-in/ski-out access to the slopes, snowshoeing, mountain biking, hiking, swimming at the nearby waterpark or taking in the views of the surrounding nature.

Each unit will be built with natural materials and will feature a gas fireplace, 9- to 15-foot ceilings, superior soundproofing and large windows. In addition to providing unobstructed views of the Eastern Townships, the development will offer residents amenities including a heated outdoor pool, hot tub, pond with dock, tennis and beach volleyball courts, and an outdoor fireplace.

“If Quebec and Scandinavia were neighbours, Arborescence would be located right at the border. The development offers the best of both worlds, with sleek, modern architecture that integrates the warm feel of wood,” said Simon Boyer, co-founder of KnightsBridge, in a press release.

This project saw KnightsBridge join forces with Claridge, a Quebec-based investment firm; ABCP Architecture, which designed the development; and Sotheby’s International Realty Quebec, which is managing the sales.

Marcus & Millichap expands Canadian presence

Marcus & Millichap has announced its expansion into Montreal with the acquisition of the commercial real estate investment sales firm, McGill Commercial, on August 31.

“McGill is an exciting acquisition for us as we continue to expand our platform in Canada to best serve our clients in Quebec. This transaction immediately establishes our presence in Montreal with top producers who share our philosophy of superior client service and culture,” stated Hessam Nadji, president and CEO of Marcus & Millichap in a press release.

The McGill Commercial’s team specializes in investment sales and commercial real estate services in the greater Montreal region. Mickael Chaput and Michael Dermer, founders of McGill Commercial, along with investment professionals Naomi Faraj, Louis Hoppenheim and Phillipe Marcotte, will all join Marcus & Millichap in the company’s Montreal office.

“We are very excited to join the Marcus & Millichap team and be part of the growth of the brand in Quebec. The platform will allow us to better serve our clients throughout Canada and the United States,” stated co-founder Mickael Chaput.

Co-founder Michael Dermer added, “Marcus & Millichap’s platform is second to none; their resources, technology, culture of collaboration, and ability to access thousands of exclusive investment properties for sale across North America made it clear that this is the ideal opportunity for us to further grow our business.”

The latest acquisition will add to Marcus & Millichap’s existing Canadian operations in Toronto, Vancouver, and Calgary.

Rapid transit funding confirmed for Vancouver

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, and B.C. Premier John Horgan, have confirmed more than $3 billion in federal and provincial funding for two major rapid transit projects in Metro Vancouver.

The Broadway Subway project will add 5.7 kilometres and six stations to the line, bringing frequent and reliable SkyTrain access to one of the most congested transit corridors in Metro Vancouver.

The Surrey-Newton-Guildford Light Rail Transit project (LRT) will create the first light-rail transit system in British Columbia. With 11 new stations along 10.5 kilometres of street-level track, the LRT will provide much-needed transit services in underserved areas, connect and revitalize communities, and make it easier to travel across the Lower Mainland.

“Bringing light rail to Surrey will transform the city, connect communities and make getting around the Lower Mainland faster and easier,” said Trudeau. “The Broadway Subway will also go a long way in reducing commute times and transit overcrowding, and making Vancouver’s SkyTrain even more convenient and accessible.”

The Government of Canada will contribute $1.37 billion to the two projects, the Government of British Columbia will contribute $1.82 billion, and Translink, the City of Vancouver, and the City of Surrey will contribute $1.23 billion. The funding was announced earlier this year.

“Rapid transit is key to helping people get where they need to go quickly, so we can meet the needs of a growing region. Cutting traffic and getting people and goods moving faster will unlock economic growth, while making our communities more affordable, accessible and clean,’ said Horgan.

Construction of the new project is expected to begin within the next two years.

The Broadway subway project will add 5.7 kilometres of track and six stations to the existing SkyTrain Millennium Line.

Construction is expected to begin in 2020 and the Broadway extension is scheduled to open by 2025.

ESG performance earns Triovest global standing

Triovest has been recognized as a global leader in the 2018 GRESB real estate assessment, tracking the ESG (environmental, social, governance) performance of commercial real estate portfolios worldwide. The real estate advisory and capital firm — which oversees $9 billion worth of Canadian properties on behalf of institutional and private investors — achieved the best score, 88 out of 100 possible points, in its peer group of 22 non-listed diversified office/industrial portfolios.

“We have worked hard to embed sustainability across our organization,” reports Triovest chief executive officer Vince Brown. “Our employees, clients and tenants contributed to, and will benefit from, this achievement.”

GRESB’s 2018 survey results were revealed to participants in this year’s benchmarking exercise late last week, allowing them to peg their own standing against broader averages gleaned from 903 real estate companies and funds collectively holding more than 79,000 assets in 64 countries, valued at USD $3.6 trillion (CAD $4.75 trillion). More details on trends and averages in the various components of GRESB scoring will be released in presentations in major global cities, including Toronto and Vancouver, in the coming weeks.

Canadian participants have snared and solidified first-runner-up status for Canada in the national ESG performance rankings in recent years — surpassing the collective score of participants based in the United States and Europe, but trailing the perennial leader, Australia/New Zealand. In 2017, Triovest was among the 18 Canadian organizations that closed the gap on the front-runner to just three points, as Canada scored 70 out of 100 — a four-point gain from 2016 in contrast to Australia/New Zealand’s one-point drop from their previous year’s tally.

In addition to 2018 global sector leader status, Triovest boasts the top score of the 282 portfolios opting to report under GRESB’s health and well-being module. Triovest’s portfolio of 380 Canadian properties, encompassing more than 36 million square feet of space, also attained GRESB’s best-possible 5-star rating while improving on its 2017 score.

“The sector leaders have set the bar even higher for sustainability performance in 2018,” affirms Sander Paul van Tongeren, the co-founder and managing director of GRESB. “We are proud to recognize the significant steps they have taken to incorporate sustainability into their operations and communicating their performance to investors.”

ISSA introduces ISSA Next Gen

ISSA, the worldwide cleaning industry association, announces the launch of ISSA Next Gen, to replace the existing Young Executive Society (YES) program. The goal of the program’s makeover is to increase the participation of young professionals in the industry.

The new program includes ISSA Young Emerging Leaders for young professionals looking to move up to the next level in their careers, ISSA Young Executive Development for young professionals who are already in executive roles, looking to round out their leadership skills and ISSA Next Gen Mentors, an opportunity for industry professionals over the age of 40 to engage and share their wisdom and experience with young professionals in the program.
ISSA Next Gen also plans to promote diversity and inclusivity as the program will be open to all ISSA members and their employees. There will be no separate fee required to be a part of the ISSA Next Gen community effective 2019.
Another big part of ISSA Next Gen’s agenda will be to support ISSA Charities’ initiatives such as:
• Cleaning for a Reason — providing free home cleaning services to households with a cancer diagnosis
• ISSA Scholars — offering scholarships and internship opportunities to employees and family members of ISSA member companies and
• Hygieia Network, empowering women in the cleaning industry through mentorship and leadership training.

Past programs, such as the YES Professional Development Workshop, in-person educational sessions and webinars, and complimentary networking events are being continued under the ISSA Next Gen brand.
For more information about ISSA Next Gen, visit www.issa.com/nextgen.

Entro Communications acquires CVEDesign

Entro Communications has announced the acquisition and merger with New York-based CVEDesign. Both firms are highly-regarded environmental graphic design (EGD) firms.

The merger follows a long history of collaborative projects and common values, as well as strong relationships between the founding partners of Entro, Andrew Kuzyk and Wayne McCutcheon, and CVEDesign, Chris Calori and David Vanden-Eynden.

“We’ve enjoyed working on an international scale and we expect this merger will allow us to significantly build upon the established practices of both firms, particularly our on-the-ground presence in the United States,” said Kuzyk and McCutcheon, in a press release.

CVEDesign will bring knowledge, an established team of designers and body of work spanning over 35 years to Entro. Calori and Vanden-Eynden will join the Entro leadership team and will work as principals in Entro’s newly opened New York City office.

“Both firms share kindred values – that EGD plays a helpful, meaningful role in people’s lives, which is accomplished by working hand-in-hand with clients and stakeholders,” added Vanden-Eynden.

The newly consolidated firm will have a total of over 50 employees, adding enhanced resources, client value and opportunities for employees at offices in Toronto, Calgary, New York and Zurich.