More Canadians renting for the long term

With Canadians grappling with rising costs on everything from housing to household bills, new data shows that renting is no longer a temporary stage on the path to homeownership. Instead, it is increasingly becoming a long-term necessity that relies heavily on dual incomes to remain sustainable. The Rent Cheque: Q3 2025 Rental Intelligence Report by SingleKey reveals that the traditional image of renters as young and transient no longer reflects reality. Today’s renters are older, more settled, and often raising families while facing mounting affordability challenges.

The report found that the median age of a Canadian renter is 32, and 11.7 per cent of renters have children.

“The idea that renters are young, mobile, and just passing through no longer holds true,” said Viler Lika, Founder & CEO of SingleKey. “Renting is now a long-term reality for many Canadians in their 30s and 40s—often with kids, careers, and no clear path to homeownership,”

After analyzing thousands of rental applications between July and September 2025, the online platform determined that the average renter earns $67,537 annually. However, household incomes average $109,000—a 35 per cent increase driven by dual-income households. Cohabiting and shared earnings have become essential to meeting rental standards, underscoring how renters are older and more settled than in past generations.

Despite reports of rent prices softening, affordability remains strained as other living costs rise. Nationally, renters spend approximately 38.6 per cent of their income on rent and debt repayments, well above the 30 per cent affordability benchmark. In Vancouver, that figure climbs to 41.6 per cent, highlighting growing financial vulnerability for tenants and increased risk exposure for landlords.

“Affordable” markets carry hidden risks

Lower rent markets may appear more accessible, but SingleKey’s data shows they often mask higher financial instability. Renters in major hubs like Toronto and Halifax tend to have stronger credit scores (735 and 705), lower delinquency rates (4.3% and 6.7%), and fewer bankruptcies (1.1% and 1.7%).

By contrast, Winnipeg, Calgary, and Montreal—where average monthly rents are among the lowest ($1,713, $2,028, and $1,605, respectively)—show significantly higher delinquency and bankruptcy rates. Winnipeg stands out as the riskiest market, with nearly one in five tenants (18.9%) in collections and a bankruptcy rate (3.9%) more than triple Toronto’s.

Suburban and rural renters also face greater instability: credit scores are 2–34 points lower, and bankruptcy rates 0.4–3.2 per cent higher compared to urban tenants. Lower upfront costs, the report warns, do not necessarily translate into long-term affordability.

“Renting has changed in Canada, and the numbers prove it,” concluded Lika. “We’re seeing responsible, creditworthy renters in their 30s spending over a third of their income just to keep up.”

View the full report here: SingleKey Rent Cheque Q3 2025

Barriers stall deep energy retrofits in condo sector

Condominiums are one of Canada’s fastest-growing housing types, yet they remain a largely untapped resource in the fight against climate change. Buildings account for 18 per cent of the country’s greenhouse gas emissions, and deep energy retrofits in condos could cut emissions by up to 59 per cent per building while reducing operating costs by nearly 50 per cent.

However, despite the potential gains for owners, adoption has been stubbornly low. Many condominiums have yet to implement upgrades such as high-performance building envelopes or modern HVAC systems and lighting. Deep energy retrofits, though highly effective, are far from standard practice in the sector.

To address this gap, Efficiency Canada, a non-governmental research and advocacy organization focused on promoting an energy-efficient economy, recently hosted a webinar examining how barriers such as high voting thresholds, restrictive reserve fund rules, and ambiguities in Ontario’s Condo Act continue to stall projects that could otherwise deliver significant emissions reductions and cost savings.

Yazan Zamel, researcher and president of the Sustainable Engineers Association at the University of Toronto, said the condo sector plays a critical role in Canada’s climate action strategy. “Unfortunately, Canada’s retrofit rate is only at around 1 per cent per year, which is below the 2.5 per cent that we need by 2030 to stay on track for net zero,” he said. “Unlocking deep energy retrofits in this sector can certainly accelerate our pathways towards decarbonization, while also driving substantial cost savings in those communities.”

Zamel, alongside Sustainable Buildings Canada (SBC), presented findings from his paper, Legal and Policy Barriers and Enablers to Deep Energy Retrofits in Ontario Condominiums, which examines Ontario’s Condo Act, comparisons with other provinces, interviews with key stakeholders, and highlights how current regulations impede retrofit feasibility. It also provides actionable policy recommendations to modernize condo legislation and support climate-smart upgrades.

His research builds upon SBC’s Better Condos Boot Camp, a program that equips condo managers, boards, and residents with the tools to drive deep energy retrofits and building decarbonization.

Voting threshold hurdles in Ontario

In Ontario, section 97 of the Condo Act outlines the process for altering common elements. Repairs and maintenance are defined as replacing or restoring existing components to substantially the same condition as when they were originally built—a ‘like-for-like’ requirement that governs how reserve funds may be used. Larger improvements, on the other hand, especially those with financial implications, require the consent of the building’s owners.

For projects costing less than 1 per cent of the annual budget, no vote is required. If the cost is between 1 and 10 per cent, owners must receive written notice, along with a 30-day requisition period. If more than 15 per cent of owners submit a requisition, a meeting will be held, and the final decision will rest on the majority vote of those attending.

However, the challenge lies in projects costing more than 10 per cent of a condo’s annual budget, which require a two-thirds majority vote from all owners, not just those attending the annual general meeting. With attendance typically around 30 to 40 per cent, this threshold is hard to meet, particularly in large buildings with low participation.

Reserve fund limitations and untapped opportunities

Reserve fund limitations also persist. Section 93 of the Condo Act states that condo corporations must maintain a reserve fund exclusively for major repairs and replacements of the common elements. Having an updated reserve fund study is essential to account for inflation, rising construction costs and new efficiency standards. In turn, corporations can better finance anticipated retrofits.

“Unfortunately, just 18 per cent of Ontario condo reserve fund studies, between 2018 and 2022, explicitly considered high performance elements or carbon reduction,” said Zamel. “There is not high consideration for the retrofit components.”

He noted that boards are often unaware that a petition from 12.5 per cent of owners can trigger an enhanced reserve fund study, opening the door for more in-depth retrofit planning. But this option is rarely used due to a lack of education and engagement.

Legal loopholes

Ontario’s legal framework presents some opportunities amid the hurdles. For instance, engineers may be able to reclassify upgrades—like water technology or lighting replacements—as repairs instead of improvements. If the upgrades are required to meet current building codes, safety standards, or industry benchmarks, they may qualify as repairs, even if they enhance performance.

“If the replacement of old lights is coming in for LEDs, that may qualify as maintenance if that old technology is considered no longer relevant in comparable residential settings,” he detailed. “Of course, coming up with that conclusion can actually be really significant as per my conversation with Ontario condo lawyers.

Additionally, a lesser-known provision in the Act, section 97.5(d), though un-proclaimed since 2015, could allow condo boards to approve sustainability projects without the need for a full owner vote. If proclaimed, this provision could make Ontario one of the most progressive provinces for condo decarbonization.

Rather than overhauling the legal framework, activating the provisions already in place could make a big difference. Zamel emphasized how data highlights the importance of this approach: only 15 per cent of major retrofit proposals in Ontario are implemented, compared to 35 to 40 per cent in British Columbia and Nova Scotia.

Regional variances and lessons from other provinces

Condo retrofit policies across Canada show a wide disparity between provinces. B.C., for example, offers more flexible rules. A majority vote is sufficient for retrofits if the project is included in the depreciation report and pre-funded. As well, the province offers special voting relief for electric vehicle (EV) infrastructure projects.

In contrast, Ontario struggles with its two-thirds approval requirement. Condo lawyers Zamel interviewed said many owners live abroad and rarely engage in discussions or vote. A building designer added that retrofit votes in large condos are “practically unfeasible.”

Other provinces present their own obstacles. Alberta mandates a 75 per cent approval threshold for significant changes, while Manitoba and Saskatchewan require 80 per cent written consent.

On the other hand, Nova Scotia offers a promising case where, despite a 80 per cent voting requirement for any improvement over 25 per cent of the building’s appraised value, owner turnout has exceeded 70 per cent for some retrofit votes. One large-scale EV infrastructure project received 92 per cent approval; its success attributed to early engagement and education.

In Alberta, the province offers flexibility in its condo legislation. For example, section 38 of Alberta’s Condominium Property Act permits reserve fund withdrawals without a vote if the project involves replacing components to meet current standards or comply with new building or health codes, as long as it is explicitly included in the reserve fund study

In Saskatchewan, a property lawyer communicated that the flexibility of condo bylaws is a key factor in driving progress for retrofits. As Zamel observed, “there’s a pattern about how the legal text matters, but human engagement matters just as much, which is very important to consider.”

Long-terms goals in Canada’s climate strategy

Overcoming condo retrofit barriers could greatly advance Canada’s climate goals. Harmonizing provincial frameworks could boost retrofit completion rates from the current 15 to 20 per cent to 35 to 40 per cent. Streamlining voting thresholds, and providing clearer funding guidelines could greatly reduce project timelines, increase energy savings, and create jobs.

To enable decarbonization in the condo sector, the top three recommendations include:

Removing the “like-for-like” replacement requirement to encourage upgrades to higher-performance systems;
Lowering approval thresholds and tying them to meeting attendance rather than total ownership; and
Educating owners and boards on the long-term financial benefits of energy-efficient retrofits.

Other critical elements include unified definitions, such as classifying energy upgrades as repairs, and clarifying “common areas” versus private unit ownership, and mandating decarbonization planning in reserve fund studies with minimum scenario requirements and greenhouse gas reduction modeling.

With proper reforms, Zamel argues, retrofits in condos could reduce building sector emissions by up to 60 per cent, create millions of skilled jobs, and play a key role in meeting Canada’s commitment to net-zero emissions by 2050.

“Every retrofit we are delaying could keep that potential locked away,” he posed. “The biggest climate wins may not come from new technologies, but from fixing the rules that govern them.”

The challenges of holiday cleaning

Commercial cleaning during the holiday season can be a tricky endeavour, from scheduled office events to navigating around decorations to managing labour allocation and more. This can be a challenging time of year for cleaners as they strive to service customers with varying needs, while trying to maximize revenues for the end of the year.

Being strategic with your cleaning services can help your business stay profitable and keep clients happy this holiday season:

Adjusting cleaning schedules

Your clients may require different scheduling arrangements during the holidays to accommodate increased traffic and adjusted work hours. This may involve being flexible with staffing to accommodate availability before and after holiday parties, during holiday closures, or by adding extra services to the contract. It may also mean greater attention needs to be paid to sanitization and hygiene as more people are gathering, and additional time is required for weather-related cleaning as the snow, salt, and ice arrive. Communicate clearly with your clients about your availability and their needs well before the holidays to allocate labour accordingly and deliver on customer expectations.

Adding services

Holiday décor can add time to your cleaning schedules when businesses add festive decorations that need to be considered. Things like trees that drop needles, fallen tinsel, ornaments that collect dust and more, can add time and change your cleaning plan. In addition, holiday parties may result in extra garbage, like food delivery packaging and gift wrapping, and the increased attention and trips to the garbage may require billing and allocation changes as you plan for the season.

Some businesses close for a period over the holidays, and this may be an opportunity to book a more complex, time-consuming service like a carpet deep clean or floor wax. Suggesting this as a way for companies to use up remaining budgets, address neglected areas, or complete unfinished cleaning or maintenance projects could provide a much-needed service while raising your revenues.

Additional services like January cleanings after the holiday season to get office spaces clean and ready for the new year should also be part of your communication with existing clients. Moreover, find out whether end-of-year visits from management or audits are taking place, where your clients may be looking for extra scheduled cleaning.

Learn your clients’ office schedules so you can offer additional services that take advantage of the downtime and set them up for success in the new year.

Managing your labour

Communicating with your customers allows you to handle staffing over the holidays. You may have staff who want time off, and if you know your customers’ needs ahead of time, you can reduce your labour costs by cutting down on the staff you need to cover over this time period. Once you determine your business needs, meet with your team to confirm availability and schedule early so there’s enough time to make any necessary changes before they affect your customers. Your clients may also want deep cleaning completed before the holidays, allowing you to lessen the workload and your staffing once the holidays arrive, and that can help you better manage labour costs for the end of the year.

Focusing on training

If you have downtime, consider using it as an opportunity to train your staff. This could include introducing new services, brushing up on their skillsets, or improving knowledge for more efficiency. Consider your company culture, too. This may be a good time to recognize star staff members and practice team building to raise more and inspire efficiency through the coming year.

The holidays can be challenging for commercial cleaners, from the planning to the execution, but starting early, communicating with your clients, and efficiently managing labour can help cleaners thrive through the holidays and through to next year.

How illumination elevates modern spaces

Lighting has become one of the most powerful tools in interior design. Once seen as purely functional, it now helps bring atmosphere, balance, and emotion to every space. The right lighting plan can completely transform how a space feels and functions, influencing everything from material perception to spatial flow.

From Function to Feeling
Today’s most compelling designs blur the line between functional and decorative lighting. Layered with intention, it shapes how we perceive texture, tone, and material, bringing depth and excitement to every space.

Tunable white technology takes this concept further by mirroring natural light cycles to support mood, energy, and help maintain a healthy circadian rhythm. Bright daylight tones enhance precision and clarity, while warm ambient light softens the atmosphere, creating a relaxed, welcoming mood. Paired with motion sensors and adaptive controls, lighting becomes intuitive – guiding movement with soft illumination at night or activating only when needed.

Designing With Intention
When integrated early in the project, lighting becomes a seamless part of the design rather than a retrofit challenge. Routed channels can conceal wiring and profiles, while drivers hide neatly in toe kicks or behind drawers, keeping lines clean and uninterrupted. Chip On Board (COB) lighting has expanded what’s possible in this category, delivering uniform, linear illumination without visible diodes or “hot spots.” The result is an even glow that enhances reflective surfaces while offering energy-efficient performance and a refined, minimal aesthetic.

But precision in placement means little without precision in tone. Getting colour temperature right is equally important. Lighting that’s too cool on warm finishes, or too warm on cool tones, can distort a design entirely. And while budget fixtures may be tempting, poor-quality lighting often produces uneven brightness and inaccurate colour rendering, issues that diminish the impact of a completed design.

Integrated and Intelligent
When planned with intention, lighting doesn’t just complete a space – it defines it. Consider vertical illumination in pantry pull-outs, toe-kick lighting, and softly lit drawers that reveal every corner bring both ease and elegance to daily life. Minimal linear profiles and flexible silicone strips can backlight feature walls, frame mirrors, or accent shelving while staying quietly hidden.

This seamless integration is now easier than ever thanks to advancements in LED technology. Long-lasting and energy-saving, LEDs pair easily with motion sensors, timers, and smart systems, giving users control over dimming, colour tuning, and preset “scenes” that transition effortlessly from day to night.

Lynda Bruce is a lighting expert at Häfele Canada.

Photo courtesy of Häfele Canada

Canada’s condo market: A look at 2026

Condo buyers’ priorities have shifted in recent years. In this Q&A, Don Kottick, president of REMAX Canada, explains how owners can meet these evolving expectations, improve the long-term value of their homes, and what the condo market may look like heading into 2026.

Condos remain one of the few affordable housing options for first-time buyers and downsizers. How do you see this market evolving into next year?

Kottick: Condos remain an important housing option in urban centres as they offer a relatively more affordable entry point compared with single-family homes, while still providing close proximity to transit, employment and other amenities. The interest rates coming down throughout 2025 have also been encouraging for buyers who had previously adopted a wait-and-see approach.

At the same time, the condo market is seeing slightly older buyers, moving in with their partner or family, requiring more living space. As a result, previous popularity in smaller units has tapered off. The shift in preferences explains why some of the current inventory, built for young first-time buyers, is not moving as quickly as expected.

Heading into 2026, demand for condos is expected to pick up amid ongoing affordability challenges, but the focus will increasingly be on units that accommodate these evolving needs. Condos with well-designed layouts, space, additional amenities, and maintenance are likely to attract the most interest. Condos aligned with these evolving buyer expectations will serve as a more practical and desirable housing choice.

Some owners are grappling with the challenge of aging buildings and rising maintenance costs. What steps should they take to protect and increase the long-term value of their condo?

Kottick: Owners should focus their efforts on what today’s buyers are looking for: functional, comfortable and adaptable spaces. That means units with better layouts, and areas that can accommodate both family space and working from home. Affordability is less impactful when these needs are not met; needs that have become more essential in recent years, helping attract buyers who view the condo as a long-term investment rather than a temporary stopgap.

Beyond units, the shared spaces and common areas throughout the condo also play a big role in how attractive the condo will be perceived by buyers. Well-maintained lobbies, hallways, and amenities signal to buyers that the building is well cared for and managed, boosting buyers’ confidence in its overall quality. This further highlights the importance of proper maintenance and transparency regarding the condo’s reserve fund —– money set aside to cover major repairs or replacements such as roofs and elevators.

When owners shift their focus to the evolving needs and preferences of buyers, units can attract more interest and sell faster notwithstanding economic conditions. As more buyers enter the market in 2026 with declining pessimism, properties reflecting these needs upfront will see stronger demand.

Canada’s condo market is in a deep freeze. What’s holding it back now, and what’s needed to turn it around?

Kottick: The current headwinds are a result of overlapping factors. Historical borrowing costs and buyer hesitancy had suppressed demand, particularly among first-time buyers who are often the primary purchasers of condos. Affordability remains a primary challenge for many buyers, even as interest rates have gradually eased through 2025. At the same time, an oversupply in large urban markets – especially Toronto and Vancouver – have kept prices from appreciating, resulting in stagnation. Investor activity, which had helped prop up demand, has also slowed due to tighter mortgage stress tests and changing rental yields.

Resuscitating the condo market will likely require a combination of actions: Policy incentives, lower interest rates, renewed buyer confidence, and, perhaps most importantly, stronger alignment between existing supply and evolving buyer expectations. Developers and owners will also need to adapt their approach to focus on creating and maintaining more modern, liveable units to meet evolving affordability and lifestyle needs. A measured recovery is possible, but it will require time and concerted effort from key decision-makers and market participants.

Don Kottick is president of REMAX Canada.

Ontario unveils new rebates, incentives under $10.9B energy plan

The Ontario government is rolling out new rebates for energy-efficient home appliances and incentives for industrial, municipal, institutional and healthcare organizations as part of its $10.9-billion, 12-year commitment to energy efficiency.

Beginning this fall, as part of the Home Renovation Savings Program (HRSP), homeowners can receive rebates of up to $200 for a wide range of energy-efficient appliances, including refrigerators, freezers and laundry machines. Appliances can be purchased from any retailer, either online or in-store, with rebates issued within 60 days of approval. All homes on Ontario’s electricity grid, including condos and apartments, will be eligible, provided the appliance meets the criteria, such as replacing older, less energy-efficient electric models.

These changes build on the first phase of the HRSP, launched in January 2025, which continues to offer savings on insulation, smart thermostats, and rooftop solar.

The expanded program will now also provide rebates for attic insulation without requiring a home energy assessment, while still offering the assessment-based option.

Electricity demand is expected to rise significantly over the next 25 years, with many homes and businesses still relying on inefficient appliances and industrial processes that increase costs. The energy savings program is already on track to exceed its 2025 targets, delivering up to 685 gigawatt-hours in energy savings and 226 megawatts in peak demand reduction as of June 2025 – the equivalent of removing more than 220,000 homes from the grid.

“Ontario’s investment in energy efficiency shows how demand-side solutions can lower costs, create good jobs, and make our energy system more reliable,” said Corey Diamond executive director of Efficiency Canada. “When we treat saved energy like a resource, it pays people instead of power plants — and that’s a smart approach for affordability and climate progress.”

Large-scale energy efficiency projects

The province is also expanding support for major energy efficiency projects in industrial, municipal, institutional, and healthcare sectors. Under the Save on Energy XLerate Program, the maximum incentive per project will rise from $5 million to $15 million, helping fund large, complex industrial projects that deliver measurable energy savings through technologies and reduced electricity consumption.

Key features include:

Feasibility study support: Covers 50 per cent of study costs, up to $100,000, to help organizations scope and develop eligible projects;
Streamlined application processes: A single sign-off and first-come-first-served intake making it faster and easier to apply; and
Broader eligibility and longer timelines: To support early-stage planning and implementation across a wider range of sectors.

Ontario’s Energy Efficiency Framework is forecasted to reduce the province’s peak demand by 3,000 megawatts by 2036.

Mortgage delinquency rate rises in Ontario and B.C.

The national mortgage delinquency rate decreased in the second quarter of 2025 for the first time in three years to 0.22 per cent. However, pockets of financial stress remain, particularly in Ontario, according to Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation’s (CMHC) latest Residential Mortgage Industry Report.

Lower delinquency rates in Atlantic Canada, Quebec, and the Prairie provinces led to the quarter-over-quarter decrease in the national delinquency rate. In contrast, in Ontario, the mortgage delinquency rate (0.23 per cent) was above the national average for the first time since at least 2012. In British Columbia, mortgage delinquency rates increased from 0.16 per cent to 0.19 per cent between Q2 2024 and Q2 2025.

In Toronto, the mortgage delinquency rate increased from 0.15 per cent in Q2 2024 to 0.24 per cent in Q2 2025, a year-over-year increase of 60 per cent and a level not seen since Q3 2012.

Construction teams shortlisted for Roberts Bank

The Vancouver Fraser Port Authority has shortlisted three qualified construction teams as part of its procurement process for the landmass and wharf component of the Roberts Bank Terminal 2 project.

The three shortlisted teams are:

KLJ Partnership: Kiewit Construction Services ULC, Ledcor CMI Ltd.,Jan de Nulnv
Pacific Gateway Partners: Daewoo Engineering & Construction Co., Ltd., Hyundai Engineering & Construction Co., Ltd.. EllisDon Corporation
TerraMarine: FlatironDragados Canada, Inc., Van Oord Canada Ltd., Aecon Constructors, Carlson Construction Group Inc.

The teams will now take part in the request for proposal phase, which has a May 2026 deadline for submission.

The shortlisted teams were selected following a thorough review of submissions received under the request for qualifications issued in July 2025, as part of the progressive design-build process. Each team demonstrated their strong record of collaborative, large-scale infrastructure delivery in marine environments with similar technical, logistical, environmental, and regulatory requirements to Roberts Bank Terminal 2, as well as their experience working with First Nations.

The preferred team will be selected in summer 2026 and will partner with the port authority and First Nations to source Canadian products such as aggregates, steel, concrete, and lumber and create family-supporting Canadian jobs like engineers, equipment operators, and environmental monitors.

Roberts Bank Terminal 2 will increase Canada’s west coast container capacity by more than 30 per cent. Components of the project include:

New land mass and wharf structure that will accommodate 2.4 million twenty-foot equivalent units (TEU) of container capacity annually.
Widening the existing Roberts Bank causeway for additional road and rail infrastructure.
Expanding the tug basin to support marine side operations.
Environmental projects, such as new habitat, construction mitigation programs, and a monitoring follow-up program.

Construction is planned to begin in 2028, and the terminal is expected to be in operation by the mid-2030s.

Ontario opens first new hospital with all single-patient rooms

The West Lincoln Memorial Hospital in Grimsby, Ontario, has officially opened, after more than three years of construction. The facility is nearly 80 per cent larger than the one it is replacing and is the first new hospital in Ontario to include all single-patient rooms.

Backed by nearly $250 million in provincial funding for Hamilton Health Sciences, the new facility marks a major investment in improving health care across West Niagara. It offers both inpatient and outpatient services, including 24/7 emergency care, complex and palliative care and surgical services in more modern spaces.

The addition of nine new, fully private inpatient beds brings the total to 55 beds and six birthing suites for maternal and newborn services. Day surgical services include three operating rooms and a procedure room. Increased outpatient care space expands availability of consultation services. Fully renovated advanced diagnostic imaging suites feature X-ray, mammography, echocardiography and ultrasound and CT scanning.

“The opening of the new West Lincoln Memorial Hospital marks a historic moment for our entire region,” said Sandra Easton, Mayor of Lincoln. “This state-of-the-art facility reflects years of collaboration, advocacy and shared vision across West Niagara. For the residents of Lincoln, it represents not only access to exceptional health care close to home, but also an investment in our growing, vibrant community.”

Researcher wins innovation award for product that kills superbugs on contact

As world health leaders warn that superbugs are now an urgent global threat — predicted to kill 39 million people by 2050, according to a new global analysis — a Hamilton researcher is being recognized for her cutting-edge work to develop a long-lasting antimicrobial coating for any high-touch surface that effectively kills drug-resistant bacteria on contact.

The innovation has earned Dr. Sara Imani a Mitacs Innovation Award — Outstanding Innovation, awarded by Mitacs, a leading innovation organization that connects businesses and researchers with unrivalled access to talent, financial support, and the partnerships needed to turn ideas into impactful innovations. The award was presented at a ceremony at the National Arts Centre in Ottawa on November 17.

Imani — a postdoctoral researcher at McMaster University under the supervision of Mechanical Engineering Associate Professor Dr. Tohid Didar and Engineering Physics Professor Dr. Leyla Soleymani — is being recognized for developing an antimicrobial surface coating that enhances hygiene by preventing pathogens from surviving on surfaces.

With a provisional patent filed and preparations underway for scale-up with Oakville-based FendX Technologies, the groundbreaking product has demonstrated more than 99 per cent efficacy at killing pathogens like MRSA and Pseudomonas aeruginosa —resilient, healthcare-associated bacteria known for causing hard-to-treat infections and contaminating hospital surfaces and medical equipment.

“You simply apply it — similar to a standard paint or surface finish — and it remains effective over time, actively eliminating bacteria from the surface,” explained Imani, who credits Mitacs for providing the opportunity to “think bigger” about the possibility of advancing her product.

“It’s quite rare for a PhD student or postdoctoral fellow to gain direct experience in working to commercialize technology,” she said. “Through Mitacs, I learned about regulatory testing, scale up, and moving innovations from the lab to real-world application — experiences that most early-career researchers don’t typically encounter during academic research.”

Unlike traditional disinfectants that are short-lived, Imani’s coating — which is a near-invisible film once applied — offers long-lasting protection. Wear-and-tear testing also showed that it remained effective after abrasion and UV exposure, making it excellent for use on high-touch surfaces in hospitals, schools, businesses, stores, airports, and other public environments.

“Whereas regular disinfectants used in hospitals need to be routinely reapplied because they stop working over time, our coating is designed to provide continuous protection for bedrails, doorknobs, door handles, touchscreens or virtually any point of infection transmission,” explained Imani, who was motivated to investigate antimicrobial products during the COVID-19 pandemic when the spotlight was on avoiding high-touch surfaces.

The Mitacs Innovation Award — Outstanding Innovation recognizes extraordinary talent from across Canada whose Mitacs-funded research has the potential to achieve larger societal and economic impacts, driving innovation and addressing real-world challenges. Mitacs programs are supported by funding from the Government of Canada and provincial and territorial governments across the country.

Imani is one of 11 Mitacs award winners nationally, chosen from thousands of researchers who take part in Mitacs programs each year. Additional 2025 award categories include: four additional winners for Outstanding Innovation, two winners for Research Leadership, two winners for Canadian Start-Up Innovator of the Year, Inclusive Innovator of the Year, and Canadian Enterprise Innovator of the Year.

In congratulating the winners, Mitacs CEO Dr. Stephen Lucas reflected on the importance of innovation talent in shaping Canada’s future. “At a time when we need to build a stronger and more resilient economy, these eleven innovators and organizations demonstrate what’s possible when we invest in ideas, talent, and innovation,” Dr. Lucas said.

For more information about the Mitacs awards and a full list of winners, visit www.mitacs.ca/newsroom.

Image is of Dr. Sara Imani, Mitacs Innovation Award winner.

B.C. announces historic $241M for trades training

The Government of B.C. is boosting skilled trades training with $241 million over the next three years.

The “landmark investment” will double trades training funding and permanently strengthen B.C.’s trades-training system. This is the first major increase in skilled-trades training in nearly two decades.

“With this historic investment in skilled trades, we are not only investing to meet today’s needs, but we are laying the foundation for a thriving and prosperous future. Together with our partners, we are committed to ensuring more people in British Columbia can benefit from these well-paying, resilient and rewarding careers,” said Shelley Gray, CEO, SkilledTradesBC.

The investment will:

increase per-seat funding for apprentice programs;
address waiting lists for critical industrial trades, ensuring faster access to training;
advance skilled-trades certification, beginning with crane operators; and
as opportunities evolve, ensure workers can move easily between industries.

“To deliver the provincial capital plan and the many private-investment projects in B.C., we need more highly skilled and certified tradespeople,” said Brynn Bourke, executive director, BC Building Trades. “This funding will allow our joint board and union training schools to deliver on this and serve the needs of the industry. We welcome this historic investment in our trades-training system and we look forward to partnering with the government to foster the next generation of skilled-trade workers.”

With more than one million job openings expected in B.C. over the next decade (2024-2034), trades occupations are projected to be one of the top five occupational groups that account for nearly 80 per cent of projected job openings.

“This investment from the Province of British Columbia allows BCIT to deliver training to meet the growing demand for skilled trades professionals across BC and beyond – contributing to a stronger and more resilient Canada,” said Dr. Jeff Zabudsky, BCIT president.

New climate for joint sustainability agendas

Like the parties to any relationship, landlords and tenants embrace joint sustainability agendas through a mix of circumstances. Sometimes one woos the other; sometimes it’s a collision of likeminded outlooks; and sometimes their parents — investors, shareholders, corporate head offices — exert a little pressure.

Results of the union can be consequential for greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, operation costs, asset value and business reputation regardless of the path to togetherness. Sustainability executives from both sides of the equation discussed their experiences during the Building Owners and Managers Association (BOMA) of Canada’s annual national conference earlier this fall — offering perspectives from an influential tenant and landlords accommodating a mix of engaged and hesitant partners.

“In our asset class, there’s a realization that we’re not going not going to get too far without the cooperation, participation and collaboration of our retail tenants,” maintained Melissa Ferrato, vice president, ESG, with First Capital REIT. “We have quite a few large national tenants — the banks, the large grocers — where we’re having conversations at the corporate sustainability level. Then we have the mom-and-pop type shops where they’re not thinking about this on a daily, weekly or monthly basis, if ever.”

On the flipside, Jon Douglas is tasked with pushing an inventory scattered from Class AAA trophy office towers to aging strip plazas toward a target of net-zero emissions by 2040 in his role as Royal Bank of Canada’s (RBC) director of global sustainability. That comes with a mission to foster progress and the clout to drop the hammer.

“I do have an advantage that we’re a very large organization, and we try to use our size and scale to move the needle on this,” he acknowledged. “We want to see organizations that are going to decarbonize for the long haul and we will take that into consideration when we are making future decisions, whether at one location or across the country.”

Tenant leverage

That strategy unfolds somewhat differently for office and retail space. Notably, it’s embedded in the lease for the flagship company headquarters, dubbed RBC Centre, in Toronto’s financial district. Sustainability-related clauses require net-zero building performance by 2040, for which the landlord, Cadillac Fairview Corporation, must develop associated transition and capital plans to spell out how it will be accomplished.

From the landlord’s side of the deal, Karen Jalon, vice president, sustainability, energy and smart technologies, with Cadillac Fairview, noted that it was a unique experience for her to sit at the table during lease negotiations. Both she and Douglas participated in the process that conventionally tends to be restricted to leasing specialists and other senior executives who may or may not seek outside feedback from supporting teams.

“Often with leases, there’s a sustainability requirement, but they’re very standard. This was so important to RBC that we were at the table,” Jalon recounted. “It was made very clear that we had to commit, which meant proactively planning and thinking about capital,”

With retail landlords, RBC has opted to negotiate memorandums of understanding (MOU) to set out its expectations — with an objective to switch from fossil fuels to electrification getting high priority. That allows participating landlords, including First Capital REIT, to have advance understanding of what kind of space will meet RBC’s requirements in any of their malls or open-air centres.

“So, if we’re doing an RFP for a new space, or if facility managers see that an HVAC system needs to be replaced, they can say: We already know what RBC wants; we know we need to fuel-switch,” Douglas advised.

RBC’s leasing representatives likewise have guidance. That includes education sessions for both in-house teams and external brokerage services and a detailed primer that explains the reasoning behind each sustainability objective.

Fostering tactics

Turning to how retail landlords interact with a wider complement of tenants, Ferrato and Nathan Hines, vice president, operations, with Crombie REIT, sketched out some of their initiatives to promote sustainability. That has taken form as both capacity-building exercises, exemplified in First Capital’s collaborative brainstorming forums, and action-oriented efforts, such as Crombie REIT’s introduction of composting and other waste diversion tactics.

First Capital recently published a model climate action roadmap to give industry peers and potential adopters a look at some of the strategies arising from last year’s landlord-tenant brainstorming session. That involved more than 60 senior-level representatives from First Capital and its tenants talking through issues of joint concern, such as split incentives and data management challenges, and bringing a range of perspectives from leasing, operations and construction. The resulting roadmap identifies key factors to enable emissions reduction, each with a menu of measures that landlords and tenants can take either cooperatively or independently.

“In earlier days, maybe we were trying to sell sustainability to tenants in a kind of high-level way, like: ‘‘This is a good thing, and we’re going to do x, y and z’,” Ferrato reflected. “Having at least some of the larger tenants at the table co-developing solutions for the space that they are going to be occupying, and ultimately paying the bills for, is the better approach, I think. That’s a newer concept that we’re all starting to tackle.”

Meanwhile, Crombie REIT filled a void in Newfoundland and Labrador, where organics recycling is not commonly available, with an in-house program to compost food court waste at the Avalon Mall. In addition to providing collection and composting facilities for food waste generated in the province’s largest shopping centre, the company also sourced local farmers in the St. John’s area to take the compost.

“It really has benefitted everybody. It decreases hauling and increases diversion rates. Tenants love the story and love being part of it,” Hines said.

To further support recycling and diversion, the landlord has also introduced games and prizes tied to the food court’s AI-powered receptacles, which incorporate scanners and voiced instructions to help users properly sort the items they’re discarding.

“We’re looking at any way we can improve,” Hines reported. “We’re trying to put our best foot forward and have that be the example for some of the smaller tenants that may not know the (sustainability) journey.”

Shared data demands

Data is a joint resource that poses potential for cooperation or conflict. Landlords often need access to utility consumption data that tenants control, while a growing contingent of tenants needs proof of how their leased space aligns with their own sustainability commitments.

Anti-greenwashing rules introduced into Canada’s Competition Act last year and mounting pressure — from insurers, investors and regulators — to disclose climate risk exposure and/or GHG emissions add to the demand for credible data to consistently measure and verify building performance within portfolios and among industry competitors and peers. Last year, for example, Jalon’s department received 144 requests for data from Cadillac Fairview’s investors and tenants. As well, environmental data now commonly comes under auditor scrutiny as part of insurers’ protocol.

“Who would have thought that we would have auditors triple-checking and treating it like financial information?” she mused. “There are stakeholders and tenants who are thinking about that and preparing for a future where we’ll be disclosing this more.”

A range of smart technology — such as fault-detection diagnostics that provide real-time imaging of building systems — along with lease clauses that require data sharing help make it easier to fulfill requests, while also expanding and reinforcing information needed for capital planning and other decision-making.

“We’re making daily and long-term decisions based off of it, and now we’re getting really deep into measurement and verification to prove out that, yes, we’re getting returns,” Jalon affirmed.

It all flows into plotting the measures that will be needed to reduce GHG emissions.

“The data that we’re getting today is helping us make sure that we’re hitting our horizons,” Hines said. “For our targets for 2040 or 2050, we need to know: How long is the usefulness of x? How do we expect to replace y? How do we budget for that? So long-term planning is absolutely where we’re transitioning to.”

It’s not just the fuel that’s switching out, but also the talking points.

“Our priority is reducing fossil fuels in the heating system. I’m not having a conversation about paybacks. I’m asking: How are we are going to get this transition? When can we get this done?” Douglas reiterated.

“If the tenant comes to us today and says: How will you get to net-zero by 2040?, there are a lot of technical and financial components that go into that,” Jalon concurred. “You have to be proactively thinking about the future with a lot of considerations around affordability and tenants’ needs and investors’ needs, and all of that needs to be phased into your plan.”

Toronto opens first net-zero child-care centre

Toronto opened its largest and first net-zero child-care centre with the launch of the Mount Dennis Early Learning and Child Care Centre at 1234 Weston Road. The 19,000-square-foot facility is fully electrified and completely disconnected from natural gas while offering space for 98 children, two infant rooms, three toddler rooms and three preschool rooms.

Buildings account for about 55 per cent of greenhouse gas emissions in Toronto. The new centre, which represents the city’s commitment to achieving net zero emissions by 2040, is designed with a suite of advanced energy-efficient features.

Super-insulated walls and a highly insulated roof minimize heat loss and gain, while triple-glazed windows further improve thermal performance. An airtight building envelope reduces air leakage to maintain consistent indoor temperatures and lower energy use. A geothermal heat pump system leverages the stable temperature of the ground to provide efficient heating and cooling.

On the roof, 264 solar panels generate electricity, preheat domestic hot water, and recharge the geo-exchange field. To ensure a healthy indoor environment, energy recovery ventilators continuously replace stale indoor air with fresh outdoor air.

“The Mount Dennis community is growing, and families here deserve access to high-quality, affordable child care close to home,” said Councillor Frances Nunziata (York South-Weston). “This new centre is a fantastic addition to our neighbourhood – it supports local families, strengthens our community and shows how the City is leading on climate action.”

Toronto currently operates 39 child care centres and continues to plan, build and open more across the city.

RECA unveils initiative to bolster real estate oversight

Alberta’s real estate regulator has launched a new consumer protection initiative amid the province’s population surge. With Alberta leading the nation in interprovincial migration, the influx of newcomers continues to drive strong demand in the housing market.

The Real Estate Council of Alberta (RECA) debuted its Safe and Sound campaign as a form of trust-building that showcases how it protects consumers and licenses ethical professionals.

RECA is inviting Albertans to share their experiences selling, buying, mortgaging, renting, or investing in real estate by completing a short survey at safeandsoundalberta.ca. The feedback will help shape future consumer protections and regulatory improvements.

“Confidence in Alberta’s real estate system is high, and Safe and Sound Alberta is one way we are listening to consumers and continuing to raise the bar,” said Stacy Paquin, CEO of RECA

Paquin emphasized that Albertans can buy real estate with confidence – whether they are selling, purchasing, renting, or mortgaging a house, condo, farmland, or commercial property. RECA also regulates licensed property managers, ensuring they follow clear rules and meet high standards of professionalism.

“Alberta’s population continues to grow rapidly, which continues to put pressure on people to find housing,” she said. “Thanks to reforms made by the Government of Alberta, RECA is even more agile, effective, and focused on protecting consumers throughout their real estate journey.”

New downtown park opens in Edmonton

The newest downtown park in Edmonton has officially opened. Named O-day’min, the park is part of the Warehouse Park Project to transform gravel parking lots into a community park, creating an outdoor space where people can socialize, celebrate and recharge in the core of our city.

“Edmonton is growing and expected to become a city of two million people. We know a vibrant downtown and economic development goes hand in hand,” said Mayor Andrew Knack. “Transforming gravel parking lots into this amazing park will not only revitalize our downtown, it will attract investment and encourage more Edmontonians to choose this neighbourhood as a place to live.”

As construction wraps up, O-day’min Park is already attracting private development. One apartment tower next to the park has been completed and applications to develop additional land next to the park are advancing faster than expected. There are currently six projects in various stages of planning, and by November 2026, a total of 1,604 residential units are expected to be complete or under construction near the park.

Amenities in this 1.81-hectare downtown community park include a wide-open lawn space with a hill for tobogganing in the winter and picnics in the warmer months, an off-leash dog park, a pavilion with public washrooms and community space, a playground and an outdoor exercise area. Picnic tables and other site furniture are also available for use by downtown residents, workers and students.

“The creation of O-day’min Park represents a monumental step forward in the revitalization of downtown Edmonton,” said Cheryl Probert, Downtown Edmonton Community League president. “In addition to being a catalyst in the decision of developers to build significant new housing in the downtown core, it also provides downtown residents and workers with an easily-accessible outdoor space in which to gather, play, celebrate and spend time outdoors year-round. We look forward to welcoming Edmontonians and visitors to our beautiful new downtown greenspace.”

A focal point of the park is the Northern Lights installation. Reflecting the magic of the aurora borealis, it creates a soft glow across the park’s central lawn. With swinging benches hung off the elevated light, the park invites people of all ages to pause, play and enjoy the space and light all year round. The concept for the park and the Northern Lights feature was created by the late contemporary landscape architect Claude Cormier with CCxA – the creative force behind some of Canada’s most beloved, joyous and critically acclaimed public spaces.

Atlas Tower breaks ground in Surrey

Construction of a 41-storey mixed-use development in Surrey’s City Centre is underway. Atlas Tower, by Appelt Properties and Centurion Asset Management, will bring new rental housing and medical space to one of B.C.’s fastest-growing urban hubs.

Located across from Surrey Memorial Hospital and adjacent to the new UBC Surrey Campus, Atlas Tower brings together rental living, advanced medical facilities, and vibrant urban spaces in one dynamic project for the Health and Technology District.

Atlas Tower will feature 463 modern rental apartments alongside 67,000 square feet of Class A medical outpatient space. The project emphasizes convenience, health, wellness, and community engagement.

Supported by CMHC funding, the project offers one-, two-, and three-bedroom rental apartments designed for a diverse range of residents. Amenities include a fitness centre, yoga studios, outdoor landscaped areas, a pet run, a gourmet community kitchen, and a rooftop deck with an indoor lounge featuring stunning views.

This development also includes five levels of Class A medical outpatient space, catering to clinicians, healthcare, research, and education tenants. With separate entrances and lobbies for residential and medical spaces, Atlas Tower is designed for easy access and everyday convenience.

“Atlas Tower is a milestone for Appelt Properties and represents our first project in Surrey. We see so much potential in this city and region, and are thrilled to introduce much-needed rental housing and medical facilities to one of B.C.’s fastest-growing communities. This commitment is also reflected in our investment in B.C.’s health care system, with five storeys of Class A medical space designed to create new opportunities within Surrey’s burgeoning medical district,” said Greg Appelt, founder and president of Appelt Properties.

Vancouver joins global accelerators to boost climate resilience

The City of Vancouver officially joined the C40 Cool Cities Accelerator and UN-Habitat’s Urban Planning Accelerator as it focuses on building climate-resilient communities. The announcement was made at the C40 World Mayors Summit, held earlier this month in Rio de Janeiro.

“C40 has been an incredible partner for cities around the world,” said Vancouver Mayor Ken Sim. “Through many of our City’s major initiatives, we’re taking meaningful steps to make Vancouver a greener, safer and more resilient city. We’re proud to work alongside other leading C40 cities to keep pushing this important work forward.”

Cool Cities Accelerator

The C40 Cool Cities Accelerator is a new global coalition of cities taking urgent action to tackle one of the most dangerous impacts of the climate crisis: extreme heat.

Extreme heat is already the deadliest weather-related hazard worldwide, responsible for an estimated 489,000 deaths annually. Without decisive action, the number of people exposed to life-threatening urban heat is projected to increase fivefold by 2050.

“Extreme heat is a silent killer and an increasingly urgent global threat,” said Mark Watts, executive director of C40 Cities. “The number of days that major capitals experience temperatures above 35°C has increased 54% over the past twenty years. Cities like Vancouver are showing real leadership by taking practical steps to protect communities, safeguard economies and create more livable urban environments. By aligning with the UN Secretary-General’s call to action on extreme heat, these cities are helping to set a global standard for what bold, collective climate leadership looks like.”

As part of this commitment, Vancouver will advance actions to:

Strengthen early warning systems and expand access to cooling solutions during heat emergencies;
Update building codes, increase shade and tree canopy and future-proof critical infrastructure; and
Identify near-term ways to provide indoor cooling for existing buildings that are most at-risk to overheating.

Urban Planning Accelerator

The Urban Planning Accelerator is a joint initiative by C40 and UN-Habitat aimed at helping cities around the world transition to a climate-responsive urban planning model by 2035.

C40 and UN-Habitat will work closely with signatory cities, fostering city-to-city knowledge exchange, documenting best practices, and monitoring progress toward the Accelerator’s targets through consistent follow-up and reporting.

Through the Vancouver Plan and the Vancouver Official Development Plan (ODP), the City is integrating sustainability and climate-responsive design into how Vancouver grows. The Urban Planning Accelerator strengthens these efforts and complements the Vancouver Plan and the ODP’s Three Big Ideas:

Equitable housing and complete neighbourhoods.
An economy that works for all.
Climate protection and restored ecosystems.

Vancouver is implementing the Three Big Ideas through initiatives such as multiplex zoning, the Villages Planning Program and citywide emissions-reduction efforts.