New closed-loop biofuel facility opens in Surrey

Surrey’s Biofuel Facility has officially opened in the Port Kells industrial area. The $68 million facility is the first fully integrated closed-loop organic waste management system in North America.

The facility will convert curbside organic waste into renewable biofuel to fuel the city’s fleet of natural gas powered waste collection and service vehicles. Under this closed loop system, waste collection trucks will literally be collecting their fuel source at curbside. Excess fuel will go to the new district energy system that heats and cools Surrey’s city centre.

“Surrey has established a new sustainability benchmark in Canada with a state of the art facility that converts organic waste into renewable energy,” said Mayor Linda Hepner. “The Biofuel Facility will be instrumental in reducing community-wide greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by approximately 49,000 tonnes per year, which is the equivalent of taking over 10,000 cars off the road annually. This reduction in greenhouse gas emissions will also completely eliminate the City of Surrey’s corporate carbon footprint of 17,000 tonnes per year.”

The city owned Surrey Biofuel Facility was established through a public-private partnership (P3). A consortium led by Orgaworld Canada was selected by the City of Surrey to design, build, finance, maintain and operate the facility for 25 years. Partners include Stantec Architecture Ltd. and general contractor Smith Bros. & Wilson (BC) Ltd.

The Biofuel Facility will divert 115,000 tonnes of organic waste from the landfill, produce approximately 120,000 Gigajoules of renewable natural gas and produce approximately 45,000 tonnes of nutrient-rich compost annually.

University of Lethbridge honours Mainstreet CEO

The University of Lethbridge announced it has renamed its Faculty of Management to the Dhillon School of Business in recognition of Navjeet (Bob) Dhillon, President and CEO of Mainstreet Equity Corporation.

Dhillon, who pledged a $10-million gift to the university, the largest donation in the institution’s history, was also the impetus for the new, expanded curriculum, which focuses on finance and business innovation, entrepreneurism and internationalization.

As an innovative and transformational entrepreneur, Dhillon created a real estate empire by identifying an underserved niche in the market, supporting it with resources and nurturing its massive growth. He sees the same opportunity and potential in the University of Lethbridge.

“The future of Canada depends on education,” says Dhillon, who holds an MBA from the Ivey School of Business at Western University. “I wouldn’t have achieved the success I’ve had if it wasn’t for education. I’m a first-generation Sikh immigrant and I’m very fortunate that I’m in a position to make this contribution. This is my way of giving back to Canada. Supporting innovative education is key to launching Canadian talent in today’s connected world.”

University of Lethbridge President and Vice-Chancellor Dr. Mike Mahon sees Dhillon’s support as transformational. “Our university was founded by forward-thinking mavericks, people who identified a need for a university in southern Alberta, and who pushed ahead with a wholly unique model that set the University of Lethbridge apart,” he says. “Here we are 50-plus years later and we’re still looking ahead, pushing boundaries and creating an educational experience like no other. This gift, this commitment from Mr. Dhillon, will help drive us forward.”

Dr. Bob Boudreau, dean of the Dhillon School of Business, says that both the Lethbridge and Calgary campus will offer the latest in hands-on training technology with a focus on integrating theory and research into practice. For example, it will emphasize futuristic learning through new technologies such as blockchain, cryptocurrencies and new growth industries, including artificial intelligence and robotics

“Our faculty has a history of creating transformational opportunities for students,” says Boudreau. “This incudes providing them with flexible learning options at our two campuses; creating access to cutting-edge technology like the Centre for Financial Market Research and Teaching, the best equipped academic trading centre in Western Canada; and immersing students in experiential education through professional development programming, co-op, international exchanges, work studies and more.”

Through the University of Lethbridge, Dhillon eyes opportunity in an underserved market. With strong connections to the region’s business sector through industry partnerships and investment, innovative academic programming and a vibrant and growing immigrant population, he sees the framework of a destination university town rivaling any in Eastern Canada and the United States.

“I was very fortunate that the importance of education was drilled into me by my family, my parents, my brother, really everybody around me growing up,” he says. “Education is what drives successful global nations and Canada is unique in that there is so much opportunity here. The U of L is a world-class university that the world needs to discover.”

Dhillon is keenly aware of his position as an industry leader and similarly a pioneer for his community. He does not see his philanthropy as a solo act but rather a call to action.

“I am an immigrant and a businessman and I’m extremely thankful for the opportunities I’ve had growing up here in Canada,” he says. “We all have a chance to give back to this country and to do so through education is critical for our country’s young people. I want to see our youth succeed. I want to see Canada prosper. We can do that through education, by making the Dhillon School of Business a leader in financial and business innovation and Western Canada’s destination for finance and business education.”

UBC researchers invent new technique for making smart windows

UBC chemistry researchers have developed a simple, cost-effective technique for making smart windows that could lead the way for wide-scale adoption of this energy-saving technology.

Smart windows conserve building energy by switching from clear to tinted, dynamically controlling heat and light from the sun, depending on the building and occupants’ needs.

“Conventional windows waste a third of all energy used to heat, ventilate and air condition buildings,” Curtis Berlinguette, a professor of chemistry, chemical & biological engineering and the Stewart Blusson Quantum Matter Institute at UBC said in a press release. “Smart window technologies offer the opportunity to reduce these energy losses but the main challenge is finding ways to make these windows less expensive.”

Wei Cheng, who led this project as part of his postdoctoral work at UBC, found a new way to make glass materials that change colour in response to electricity, building on a technique co-developed in Berlinguette’s lab. Cheng’s method deposits a liquid solution containing a metal ion onto glass and then uses ultraviolet light to transform it into a film that coats the glass. The film is completely transparent but becomes blue when electricity passes through, ultimately creating the active component of a smart window.

Smart windows currently cost about $500 to $1,000-per-square-metre to make, much higher than the $30 to $200-per-square-metre cost of a conventional glass window. This new method means that windows can be manufactured without high temperatures or the sophisticated vacuum equipment that are currently used to make such devices, reducing the cost.

“Our technique creates a uniform dynamic coating without the need for special instrumentation,” said Cheng in a press release. “Another advantage of our method is that it is compatible with many different metals and it is scalable. We are excited to potentially fine-tune the dynamic properties of the materials to improve performance even further and make large windows for commercial use.”

Berlinguette and Cheng are continuing to work to prove the technique by making larger and larger windows that are stable for extended periods of time.

“A commercial window needs to last many years, and we need to prove our windows can do the same,” said Cheng, who also noted that they were experimenting with more neutral tints so the windows would go grey instead of blue.

A paper describing this technique was published today in Chem: http://www.cell.com/chem/fulltext/S2451-9294(17)30532-6.

Investment property imperils preferred tax rate

Investment property could cause some tax complications for small business owners, beginning in 2019. A new formula, recently announced in the 2018 federal budget, will be applied to weigh the passive income that Canadian-controlled private corporations (CCPCs) earn on investments not related to their principal active business against the small business deduction that CCPCs with less than $15 million of taxable capital currently enjoy. This could either deplete the amount of operating revenue that qualifies for the small business rate or bump businesses entirely into the corporate tax class.

Mid-sized to large landlords will not be affected — their earnings would be classified as operating revenue generated in their principal business and/or they are already wholly taxed at the corporate rate — but the new rules do capture the demographic of investors who own small low-rise residential or mixed-use commercial-residential buildings as a sideline to their main business ventures. Many such landlords are now in line for a tax hit they didn’t foresee when they purchased their properties.

“They could lose the ability to claim the small business rate, which will be 9 per cent in 2019, on the operating income in their original business and will, instead, be taxed at about 26 per cent,” observes David Mason, a tax partner with Deloitte Private. “It will make people think carefully about how they are earning their investment income.”

For small landlords, that scenario is most likely to play out when they sell and realize the gains on their investment property. (Taxable capital gains from the disposition of active business assets — if, for example, a dentist sells the building that houses his or her practice — are excluded from the calculation of passive income.)

Under the new rules, passive investment income of up to $50,000 annually will not impede a qualifying corporation’s eligibility for the small business tax rate on the first $500,000 of annual net operating revenue. From there, an incremental offsetting formula will be applied to reduce the allowable deduction by $5 for every $1 of investment income in excess of $50,000. Once passive income hits $150,000, the small business deduction will be completely negated.

No added tax on investment income

The 2018 budget affirms there will be no changes to the existing tax on investment income, refundable taxes or dividend tax rates — a step back that Mason calls “less onerous and less punitive” than the proposal for an added tax on investment income found in last summer’s contentious consultation paper on tax reform. “During the period of consultation, the Government heard that its proposals could be very complex and add significant burdens on businesses,” the budget document acknowledges.

However, the pledge that “no existing savings will face any additional tax upon withdrawal” falls short of other concessions that business representatives advocated. The new approach does not offer: grandfathering of passive income from investments made prior to announcement of the new rules; an exemption for investments made with funds not tied to small business revenue, such as the business owner’s inheritance; or a mechanism to spread gains over a longer period than the tax year in which they occur.

“Let’s say you buy a small rental building for $1 million and every year you more-or-less just break even until you sell it for $1.7 million. All of a sudden, you’ve got $700,000 in passive income. There is no averaging of that income over a number of years,” Mason explains.

Compounding reluctance to sell

The new tax measure won’t be official until the budget is formally adopted into law, but it is slated to take effect for the 2019 tax year. That could push some investors to cash out now or, alternatively, it could compound the tax aversion already seen as a significant factor in the persistent low supply of rental housing properties offered for sale.

“Some small landlords might sell off in 2018,” Mason speculates. “They might try to trigger a gain in 2018 or they might just try to hang on.”

“There are already two critical tax issues that discourage a lot of people from selling their properties now,” concurs Christopher Seepe, a landlord and broker with Aztech Realty Inc. and president of the Landlords Association of Durham Region. “Number one: capital gains. That can be huge for someone who has held the property for 30 or 40 years. The second one is capital cost allowance — also known as depreciation. You can take depreciation on your building every year and reduce your taxable income, but, when you sell, you have to pay it all back. That can take a substantial chunk out of the proceeds of the sale.”

As a course instructor for prospective investors in rental housing, Seepe characterizes the new tax measure as another example of the sector’s complicated and sometimes intimidating regulatory terrain.

“You really need to surround yourself with people who know real estate,” he advises. “You need a real estate lawyer, a real estate accountant and a real estate bookkeeper.”

Barbara Carss is editor-in-chief of Canadian Property Management.

Construction starts on tallest Kelowna towers

Construction has started on One Water Street, featuring what will be the two tallest towers in Kelowna, standing at 36 and 29 storeys high. The first tower is expected to be completed in the fall of 2020 with the second one ready for occupancy about six months later.

Designed by Kasian Architecture Interior Designing and Planning, the design has been carefully detailed to be fully responsive to views, climate, and the urban context while addressing the need for modern high-density living that delivers generous amenities to its residents.

The pinnacle of this project is placing priorities on opportunities for a lively and engaging public realm to support Kelowna’s goal of continuing to grow their downtown as a destination to live, work, shop, play, and learn.

“We are thrilled to create an iconic landmark that speaks to the Okanagan urbanllifestyle,” says Don Kasian, president of Kasian Architecture. “We designed every detail of this project thinking about the people who will enjoy, use and live here. The sculptural tower forms and silhouettes are the signature view for One Water Street, and will become a recognizable element of the Kelowna skyline.”

Anchored by a three-storey podium, the two towers are staggered to reflect the rugged mountain terrain in the near distance while optimizing breathtaking view of Lake Okanagan. A quarter mile of street-oriented retail and mixed-use wraps the podium, creating a successful walkable neighbourhood and elevating the pedestrian experience.

Vancouver Island construction activity robust

Construction activity on Vancouver Island remained robust during the fourth quarter of 2017 pushing overall levels for the year up by 23 per cent to a record high, according to the latest report from the Vancouver Island Construction Association (VICA).

“In 2017, Vancouver Island’s building boom surpassed all previous years reaching a total dollar value of $2.239 billion,” said Rory Kulmala, VICA chief executive officer. “Employment in the construction industry also rose island-wide, with most of the gains occurring outside the Victoria metro area.”

All regional districts on Vancouver Island, except for Alberni-Clayoquot and Comox Valley, had more building permits issued during 2017 than in 2016, with the Capital Regional District seeing a 36 per cent gain year over year. Residential permits rose by 23 per cent to a record high of $1.708 billion while non-residential permits rose by 21 per cent to $530.4 million — just shy of the 2009 high. The main driver behind the non-residential building activity was a rise in institutional-government permits.

In contrast, during the fourth quarter of 2017 building permits fell by 19 per cent, largely the result of a 25 per cent decline in non-residential permits and a 17 per cent drop in residential permits. Building permits typically weaken during the fourth quarter from the third quarter due to the seasonal effect.

“The outlook for the island’s construction industry is positive for 2018 with economic and population growth fueling the demand for residential and non-residential space,” said Kulmala. “With expanding building activity, limited labour supply and rising input costs, total construction costs will look to rise at a faster pace, although the forecast remains bright.”

Non-residential building construction has more room to expand with the island’s improving local economy. Market conditions for office, retail, and industrial space are conducive for new investments while more government building projects are also on the horizon.

Deadline passes for Vancouver’s Empty Homes Tax declaration period

On March 5, 2018, the Empty Homes Tax declaration period for 2017 closed, with a total of 183,911 declarations submitted, accounting for 98.85 per cent of all residential property owners in Vancouver.

As this was the first year the tax was implemented, the findings from the 2017 declarations provide an important baseline for the city to compare all future results and better understand how the tax is influencing the behaviour of property owners.

“Vancouver housing needs to be for homes first, not just treated as a commodity,” said Mayor Gregor Robertson, in a press release. “We brought in an Empty Homes Tax because Vancouver has a near-zero vacancy rate and many people are struggling to find a place to rent.”

Of the property status declarations that were submitted, 177,562 were residential properties occupied as either a principal residence or by a tenant. There were 8,481 unoccupied or underutilized residential properties, deemed so because they were either declared vacant, declared exempt or deemed vacant for more than 180 days in 2017. Properties can be eligible for an exemption for a number of reasons, including if the property was undergoing renovation or redevelopment or if the owner was residing in a hospital, long term or supportive care facility.

Condominiums account for 60.6 per cent of the unoccupied or underutilized residential properties in Vancouver, while single-family residential properties make up 33.55 per cent and multi-family or other properties account for the remaining 5.95 per cent. The largest number of unoccupied or underutilized properties was recorded in Downtown Vancouver. Specifically, the West End and Shaughnessy neighbourhoods recorded the highest percentages of unoccupied properties, relative to the number of residential properties in each neighbourhood that were required to declare.

This figure also includes the 2,132 properties that remained undeclared by the March 5 deadline. These undeclared properties have been deemed vacant, making them applicable to the Empty Homes Tax. Declared and deemed vacant properties will be issued a Vacancy Tax bill in mid-March, with payment due by April 16, 2018.

The Empty Homes Tax audit program uses a risk-based approach and random audits to verify property status declarations and encourage compliance with the new tax. As the program progresses, property status statistics for 2017 may be subject to change as the audits are completed and reveal whether property owners can provide evidence to support their declarations. The revenue raised by the Empty Homes Tax will be reported in an annual report to Council, which will be released in fall 2018.

Property owners that receive a Vacancy Tax bill and feel they have been incorrectly taxed may submit a Notice of Complaint to the city and have their case reviewed by the Vacancy Tax Review Officer. A Notice of Complaint may be submitted on the basis either the property owner or the city made an error or omission that resulted in the property being incorrectly taxed. The Vacancy Tax Review Office will review all complaints and use the information provided to gain insight on the impact of the tax and to influence future bylaw amendments.

New app helps users find and rate clean restrooms

Cintas Corporation launched a new clean restroom finder app called Got to Go, which allows users to find and rate the cleanliness of restrooms in their vicinity.

Within the app, users will see a map showing nearby restrooms differentiated by three colours. A green icon indicates top-rated, clean restrooms, a yellow icon indicates low-rated, dirty restrooms and a blue icon shows unrated restrooms.

Users can also see restrooms in a list view, allowing them to identify nearby restrooms sorted by distance. When clicking on a restroom icon, they can learn about the restroom’s condition and also rate the restroom. Users can also rate the condition of the facility (dirty or clean), supply level (low or well-stocked), smell (good or bad) and whether it’s open to the public or available to customers only.

Since the app is linked to Google Maps and Apple Maps, users can get directions to the restroom. They can also filter the results by location, such as gas and convenience stores, coffee shops and restaurants, retail stores or government and public buildings.

Got to Go is available for complimentary download in the iPhone App Store or Android’s Google Play. For more information, visit https://www.cintas.com/gottogo.

Gender diversity insight for investors unveiled

Real estate companies comprise 7.3 per cent of the membership of the newly launched MSCI Canada women’s leadership index, which benchmarks the performance of select stocks in Canadian equity markets against MSCI’s broader investable market index (IMI). The 95 participants reflected in the inaugural index results meet qualifying criteria for the number of women in senior executive roles and the percentage of women on their boards of directors, and are flagged as free from any “severe controversies” related to discrimination, labour rights or workplace diversity.

MSCI offers both performance evidence and market theory to support the addition of this new index to its portfolio of indices — which also includes the Canada property index, Canada fund index and the green index — providing investment information worldwide. Notably, inaugural results show the women’s leadership index delivered a 10.1 per cent return in 2017 versus the total IMI’s 8.78 per cent return.

“Companies failing to employ women — at any level — in numbers proportional to their availability are, by definition, limiting the size of their talent pool. In contrast, higher numbers of women, particularly in senior positions, might indicate a savvier approach to talent — one that just might promote productivity and economic growth along with gender equality,” an MSCI statement asserts.

This new product to provide gender diversity insight for investors is aligned with the index producer’s environmental, social and governance (ESG) research and ratings. MSCI also points to the United Nations’ sustainable development goals as an underlying buttress, along with the need for women’s unencumbered participation in the labour force to drive global economic growth and productivity.

Since only publicly traded entities are part of the analysis, many of Canada’s largest real estate players are excluded. However, other requirements to make the list of what MSCI terms “gender diversity leaders” would eliminate several of them anyway.

Participation in the women’s leadership index is contingent on meeting or exceeding a leadership quotient of: three female directors; 30 per cent female directors; or two female directors and a CEO or CFO who is a woman. These companies’ boards of directors must also report a higher percentage of female members than the overall average for the 317 entities in the Canada IMI. This will be tabulated quarterly, at the end of January, April, July and October.

Numerically, about 30 per cent of the parent index is represented in the women’s leadership index, but it carries considerably more clout from the perspective of market capitalization. The top 10 constituents of the women’s leadership index account for 39 per cent of the weighted value of the parent index. (Royal Bank of Canada and Toronto-Dominion Bank are ranked one and two in both indices.) From May 31, 2016 to January 31, 2018, the women’s leadership index collectively outperformed the Canada IMI, with gross returns of 12.65 per cent versus 11.25 per cent for larger index.

As part of the sector-neutral design of the women’s leadership index, real estate is given a 1.9 per cent weighting among the 11 GICS sectors — equivalent to its weight in the parent index. Financials carry the most weight, at 37.6 per cent, while health care falls into the 11th position at 0.87 per cent.

Seven companies carry real estate’s banner in the inaugural index: Brookfield Asset Management; Cominar REIT; Dream; Extendicare; First Capital Realty Inc.; RioCan REIT; and Sienna Senior Living. Some service providers to the real estate industry are also represented, including: Altus Group; DIRTT Environmental Solutions; SNC-Lavalin Group; Stantec; and WSP Global.

Alberta issues environmental protection order at former Sears Canada site

Alberta issued an environmental protection order against Sears Canada and Concord North Hill GP Ltd, the current owner of the former department store’s North Hill Mall location in Calgary.

Sears opened and operated a gas station at the site in 1958 until it was shut down in 1995. An environmental assessment showed the original underground storage tank caused a hydrocarbon storage leak sometime between the late 1970s and the early 1980s.

Both parties neglected to clean up and monitor the leak that seeped into the Houndsfield Heights – Briar Hill community over the decades. Data gaps show both companies didn’t continue regular groundwater sampling and semi-annual soil vapour sampling.

Under the terms of the order, issued under the province’s Environmental Protection and Enhancement Act, the parties are directed to recommence soil vapour monitoring and groundwater sampling and monitoring in the community and submit a remediation action plan to the compliance manager by December 15, 2018. A communications website must also provide information to the public.

BOMA BC president Paul LaBranche to retire

After almost 25 years at the helm of BOMA BC, Paul LaBranche will be stepping down as president. Under his leadership, BOMA BC has grown into an influential association that has spearheaded many innovative programs such as creating the first office recycling program in North America and the Earth Award in 1996 to recognize environmentally conscious and efficient buildings. LaBranche was also instrumental in the design and development of the Go Green program in 2004, which set the standard for sustainable best practices in the commercial real estate industry.

“After careful consideration, I have decided to leave the job I’ve loved for nearly 25 years to focus more time on my personal and family life and to change the work pace as I edge towards full retirement,” said LaBranche.

“It’s been a privilege for me to serve the association for over two decades and I am so thankful for the terrific relationship I’ve had with all of BOMA’s elected leadership, the outstanding staff who’ve worked alongside with me, my association colleagues throughout North America and the BOMA members which so many I will always consider as friends. I am also so very proud to be a part of the many accomplishments achieved by BOMA during my watch.”

Originally from Ottawa where he graduated with a diploma in civil engineering technology from the Eastern Ontario Institute of Technology and later picked up a degree in business administration, LaBranche moved to Vancouver in the mid 1970s.

Prior to getting involved in association management, he worked in the construction field as a project manager building condominiums. He joined BOMA BC in 1994.

The BOMA BC board of directors is currently in the process of recruiting a new president and the goal is to have someone in place by the April AGM.

How to create a sanctuary in homes

Serene. Simple. Soothing. Subdued. How do we actualize a sanctuary in the home that helps a person unwind from a long day and get recharged, to sink into serenity, to feed the soul? More and more people these days crave a place to feel completely relaxed. Being in the present moment means paying closer attention to individual needs and that individual’s surroundings. It helps to have an environment that feels inviting, peaceful and stable. Homes can connect us to feelings of wellbeing, and minimalist surroundings can help us stay balanced, stress-free and vibrant.

Adding unique earthy components can appeal to the senses. Bringing nature into the context completes the setting for quiet relaxation.

This feature wall of jumbo-sized tile flows continuously into the shower. Clear shower doors open up the space, as the eye sees beyond the glass to feel larger.

It has been proven that cluttered environments are stressful. Keep clutter down and contained in drawers, built-in storage units and off the countertop, thereby reducing visual noise.

But how can a tranquil, neutral colour scheme in a room still generate excitement? Pure whites, soft whites and grays still dominate and it takes hits of interest to make things come alive. Combine elements of shape and texture, establish a focal point or introduce an accent wall of soft colour. Create a design that leads the eye in, up, down and around the space, making it feel interesting and appearing much larger. The challenge is to keep the space uncluttered.

An instant focal point, demanding the eye’s attention, can be an elegant freestanding jetted spa tub with Chromatherapy lights, a perfect opportunity for luxurious relaxation. Chrome faucets, which still reign in popularity, add sparkle and are simple to clean and maintain.

Floating a vanity, forcing the eye to go beyond, visually expands a room, makes cleaning easier and allows for varying the height to suit the individual. It is the perfect place to conceal lighting, which also highlights the flooring.

Trends always come and go. This season’s popular colour violet can be accented with towels or a glass vase in a neutral bathroom to give it some pizzazz, as a neutral backdrop can outlive the test of time and trends.

Shades of white can conjure a sense of peace, pureness and cleanliness and enhances the power of a restful mind. Soothing tones, soft lighting and a clutter-free setting tends to quiet the mind.

Custom French doors replaced an existing countertop and sink, drawing the eye beyond to the beauty and peacefulness of nature.

The use of lighter colours makes a room feel more open and airy and a monochromatic neutral-toned space often obtains its inspiration from nature. Colour experienced in nature always works together beautifully, making it easy to create an inviting feeling in any room for relaxing, entertaining family and friends, working or more.

Being conscious of the design and finishes to address individual personalities will promote a sense of calmness and tranquility, a formula that certainly can feed the soul.

Donna Riddell is principal of Artistry Design Group Ltd. in Victoria, B.C.
Photos courtesy of Artistry Design Group Ltd.

Third phase of Tour des Canadiens breaks ground

Cadillac Fairview, Canderel and the Club de hockey Canadien is officially launching the construction of Tour des Canadiens 3 (TDC3). The third phase of the Tour des Canadiens project will be one of the tallest condos in the city and will play an important part in welcoming as many as 6,000 new residents and 6,500 new workers to the Quad Windsor district within the next 10 years. Cadillac Fairview is investing $2 billion to develop Quad Windsor.

TDC3’s design and amenities will have a distinct identity from the other phases with its European-inspired contemporary aesthetic. The project will feature a Mediterranean-inspired indoor pool and outdoor terrace overlooking the new two-acre city park proposed at Quad Windsor. It will also feature a state-of-the-art fitness room, modern games room, adaptable private party rooms and a 55^th-floor sky lounge. A ground-level café will be connected to an outdoor Pocket Park and open to the neighbourhood. In addition to the tower, 12 townhouses will be part of TDC3, located on the south side of the tower facing the new city park.

“We built on all the great elements that made TDC2 a tremendous success. Residents of this new tower will enjoy, both in their unit and in amenity spaces, a true vibrancy of warmth and luxury composed with a palette of classic walnut, golden oak and urban grey,” said Karine Bannon, project manager at CAMDI, in a press release. “These warm shades that punctuate every unit’s bright and airy interior radiate European refinement, in every season.”

Residents of TDC3 will have direct access to Montreal’s downtown, and will be directly connected to the metro, RESO, commuter trains, Tour Deloitte and Centre Bell via a new enclosed sky bridge. They will also have direct access to the recently announced Réseau express métropolitain, Montreal’s new $6.3 billion light rail transit network, which is expected to begin service in summer 2021.

The third phase of Tour des Canadiens will feature 565 new units available in one bedroom, one bedroom plus den, two bedroom, two bedroom plus den, three bedroom and penthouse configurations. Prices will range from $358,990 for a one-bedroom unit to $1.87 million for the Penthouse Collection suite. Along with TDC1 and TDC2 towers, TDC3 is the only project that features exclusive benefits and access to the Montreal Canadiens.

Saucier + Perrotte receive RAIC Gold Medal

The founders of Saucier + Perrotte Architectes has been named the recipients of the 2018 RAIC Gold Medal, cited for having consistently produced refined, elegant and modern buildings for 30 years.

Gilles Saucier, FIRAC, and André Perrotte, FIRAC, founded Saucier + Perrotte Architectes in 1988. The firm represented Canada at the Venice Architecture Biennale in 2004 and has received more than 100 awards, including eight Governor General’s Medals in Architecture and the Government of Quebec’s Prix Ernest Cormier for lifetime achievement. Their work has been published widely.

“They have built and maintained a high quality of work for decades,” said the five-member selection jury. “They are one of the few firms that are recognized both nationally and internationally. The work is always innovative and interesting. It’s timeless, consistently elegant, beautifully detailed. They integrate nature beautifully.”

The Gold Medal is the highest honour the Royal Architectural Institute of Canada (RAIC) can bestow. It recognizes a significant and lasting contribution to Canadian architecture.

Saucier is the firm’s design partner while Perrotte is the project architect in charge of coordinating the design and construction process. Both are graduates of the Laval University school of architecture in Quebec City, and have lectured and taught across Canada and abroad.

“It is with great honour that we accept this award recognizing 30 years of passionate and dedicated work,” they said in a joint statement. “We are grateful for the numerous fruitful collaborations that have helped us shape and realize our vision. We proudly receive this medal as a reward for our unyielding commitment to architectural excellence.”

Saucier+Perrotte have designed theatres (Usine C and Cinémathèque Québécoise in Montreal); commercial spaces, (the Michel Brisson boutiques and Scandinave Les Bains Vieux Montreal); garden pavilions (First Nations Pavilion at the Botanical Garden in Montreal), and the Canadian embassy in Abu Dhabi.

The firm’s university projects include the Perimeter Institute for Theoretical Physics in Waterloo and the UBC Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences (with Hughes Condon Marler Architects) in Vancouver. They have also completed sports facilities such as the new Stade de Soccer de Montréal (with HCMA Architecture + Design), as well as private residences, exhibitions and art centres. Ongoing major projects include River City, a 1,000-unit LEED Gold master plan in Toronto.

The Gold Medal will be presented at the RAIC/AANB Festival of Architecture, taking place in Saint John from May 30 to June 2.

Skyline named a Best Managed Company

For the fourth year in row, Skyline Group of Companies has been named one of Canada’s Best Managed Companies, while also achieving its first-ever “Gold Standard” status.

Now in its 25th year, Canada’s Best Managed Companies recognizes excellence in Canadian owned and managed companies with revenues over $15 million. Each year, hundreds of entrepreneurial companies compete to win this highly sought-after designation.

Sponsored by Deloitte, CIBC, Canadian Business, Smith School of Business, TMX, and MacKay CEO Forums, Canada’s Best Managed Companies program measures more than financial performance. Applicants are assessed by a panel of judges made up of the program sponsors. Emphasis is placed on people, culture, overall business performance, innovation, and sustained growth.

“This is our fourth consecutive year being recognized as one of Canada’s Best Managed Companies, and our first time earning the Gold Standard designation,” stated Jason Castellan, Skyline’s CEO, and one of its three founders. “Recognition such as this further validates the steps we have taken to grow a company that is built upon humble beginnings, entrepreneurial spirit, and a drive to do things the right way instead of the easy way.”

As a company, Skyline strives to provide meaningful value to each part of their network: their residents, commercial tenants, investors, staff, business partners, and the charitable organizations they support. Originally founded in student rental housing while attending University, Skyline has grown to become a full-service real estate investment management organization that’s portfolio includes over $3 billion in multi-residential, commercial and retail properties. Each of the properties is part of their private real estate investment trust (REIT) portfolio, which offers investors a unique alternative investment product. Among other subsidiaries, they also operate Skyline Wealth, a wealth management firm, and have formed a partnership with Anvil Crawler, a sustainable energy developer that provide simple, yet powerful options for residential and commercial energy production and storage.

“Our business is constantly evolving, as we work to bring more value to our network,” commented Castellan. “We accomplished a lot in 2017 and have even bigger goals for 2018. It is always nice to be recognized for our efforts, and to share awards such as this with our staff that makes all of our achievements possible.”

3M names Michael Roman new CEO

Michael F. Roman is the new chief executive officer of 3M, effective July 1, 2018. He succeeds Inge G. Thulin, who will be appointed to executive chairman of the board.

“After a thorough and thoughtful succession planning process, Mike is the clear choice to lead 3M into the future as CEO,” said Thulin. “He is an accomplished, results-oriented and high-integrity leader, with an excellent track record of growing sales, improving operational efficiency and increasing value across a wide range of global businesses.”

Roman has served as chief operating officer and executive vice president since July 2017, with direct responsibility for 3M’s five business groups, along with the company’s international operations.

He has held several other key leadership roles throughout his 30-year career at 3M. He led the company’s largest business group, Industrial, which accounts for one-third of 3M’s worldwide sales. Prior to that, he served as 3M’s chief strategist, where he worked closely with Thulin to develop 3M’s strategic roadmap. He has also led 3M businesses around the world, including the United States, Europe and Asia.

“It is an honor to lead 3M into the future,” said Roman. “Inge’s leadership has taken 3M to new heights, and I look forward to building on our momentum and delivering value for customers and shareholders.”

In his new role as executive chairman of the board, Thulin will continue to chair 3M’s Board of Directors while also working closely with Roman on longer-term strategic initiatives for the company. Thulin has served as 3M’s chairman of the board, president and chief executive officer since 2012.

Scott Pennock joins Riddell Kurczaba in Calgary

Riddell Kurczaba (RK) has announced that Scott Pennock has joined its Calgary studio as director of interior design. Pennock comes to the firm with more than 23 years of project experience in Canada, the United States, Australia, Singapore and the UK.

Formally educated in interior design at Mount Royal University, Pennock’s desire for professional development led him to embrace sustainable practices as an active member of the Canada Green Building Council. His expansive interior design practice in corporate, commercial, hospitality and residential projects will be highly beneficial to RK’s operations.

As a member of Interior Designers of Alberta (IDA) and American Society of Interior Designers (ASID), and a professional certified by National Council for Interior Design Qualification (NCIDQ), Pennock brings extensive experience and expertise to RK. His proven grasp of the project design and delivery, as well as strong leadership and mentoring skills, will be a tremendous asset to clients and staff.

Riddell Kurczaba Architecture Engineering Interior Design Ltd. is an integrated architecture, interior design, 3D visualization, and code review consulting firm with offices in Calgary, Edmonton, and Saskatoon.

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