Ontario puts a price on broker transgressions

Regulatory overseers in Ontario will soon wield a new slate of fines for real estate brokerages, brokers and sales representatives who run afoul of the rules. The Ontario government is refining and finalizing administrative penalties that have been authorized under the provincial Trust in Real Estate Services Act (TRESA) since 2020, but not yet enacted.

The public is invited to comment on a proposed framework with four violation categories — low, medium, high and critical — and associated fee schedules. Under the legislation, the Real Estate Council of Ontario (RECO) can impose monetary penalties of up to $25,000 at its own discretion, without need for a hearing, while affected parties have the right to appeal to the provincial Licence Appeal Tribunal within 15 days of initial notification of the penalty.

As proposed in a consultation paper posted on Ontario’s regulatory registry, transgressors would only be liable for the maximum $25,000 fine if they committed the same critical violation for a second or further subsequent time within a 24-month period. These are defined as actions that present “a severe risk of direct harm to consumers” and generally involve flouting rules that preserve the integrity of trust accounts. Those are accounts that TRESA mandates to keep clients’ funds (to be used towards real estate transactions) separate from a brokerage’s operating account.

Other types of violations related to inadequate record-keeping, failure to report required information or to meet required deadlines would be classified as low or medium risk — respectively engendering first-time fines of $1,000 and $2,500, then escalating to $2,000 and $5,000 for subsequent occurrences within a 24-month period. Additionally, two high-risk violations for failing to designate or properly disclose the identity of a broker-of-record would merit a first-time of fine $5,000 or $10,000 for subsequent offences within a 24-month period.

It’s proposed that transgressors will have 30 days from notification in which to pay the fee, provided there is no appeal. Depending on the violation, a 10 per cent additional penalty could be applied for each overdue day for payment, which could potentially ratchet a fine up to the $25,000 maximum amount.

Collected fines will be used to cover the operating costs of the administrative penalty system, with excess earnings earmarked for education initiatives and public awareness. Meanwhile, that public awareness agenda includes disclosure of violators’ names and details of their penalties on RECO’s website.

The consultation paper also poses questions related to potential new oversight policies and procedures for accountability within brokerages, additional rules to govern the management of trust accounts and more authority for RECO to issue orders. These are typified as “exploratory in nature” to gather input for future consideration.

The consultation is open for submissions until September 18, 2026.

When trade war fallout hits the housing market

The brewing tension between Canada and the United States has escalated into a full‑blown trade war, disrupting cross‑border supply chains, driving up the cost of construction materials, and threatening to throw the timelines of major housing projects into disarray. After negotiations between the two countries collapsed on August 22, Prime Minister Carney warned that Canada “will not allow its economy—or its workers—to be destabilized by sudden, unilateral trade actions,” emphasizing that the government is prepared to defend Canadian industries while working to restore predictability at the border.

Developers already grappling with labour shortages, high interest rates, and soaring land costs, now face a destabilizing force that could impact every aspect of the construction process. According to Richard Lyall, President of RESCON, the U.S.-imposed 50 per cent Section 338 tariff on $20–28 billion (USD) of Canadian goods—layered on top of Canada’s 25 per cent counter‑tariff on U.S. steel and aluminum in effect since March 2025—will have significant consequences.

“Earlier estimates already put the tariff‑driven cost‑load on new Ontario homes at $15,000 to $25,000 per unit,” he said. “With Canada expected to retaliate on September 8, adding costs on appliances, electronics, pulp and paper, among other products, that number will be pushed even higher, especially for high‑rise projects, where structural steel, mechanical systems, and elevator packages compound every increase.”

Before the current U.S. administration withdrew from key CUSMA obligations and suspended major provisions, the Canada–U.S. construction supply chain operated as a seamless, high‑volume machine. Lumber, steel, aluminum, prefabricated components, and energy inputs moved across the border daily—often multiple times—with virtually no friction. That reliability has evaporated. What was once a predictable two‑day delivery window now routinely stretches to five or six, according to cross‑border freight carriers and customs brokers who cite routine secondary inspections, slowed paperwork, and clearance delays as the new norm.

“Canadian softwood lumber already faces combined U.S. duties and Section 232 tariffs exceeding 45 per cent,” said Kim Haakstad, interim President of the BC Lumber Trade Council. “Section 338 now extends this high-tariff environment to a much broader range of Canadian forest products and building materials, including plywood, engineered wood products, pulp, paper and other value-added products.”

Haakstad added that the tariffs don’t just raise costs on both sides of the border—they actively destabilize an integrated North American supply chain. Canadian lumber and forest products underpin jobs and communities across Canada while supplying U.S. builders and consumers with the essential materials they depend on to build and renovate homes.

The steel market is showing similar strain. Canada’s construction sector still remembers the shock of 2018, when U.S. tariffs sent domestic steel prices soaring more than 20 per cent. Early data from Statistics Canada shows steel prices are climbing again, with contractors reporting quotes that expire within days instead of weeks.

“The construction industry continues to build through uncertainty, but contractors are facing increasing pressures in getting the job done,” said Rodrigue Gilbert, President of the Canadian Construction Association (CCA). “Slowing economic growth along with a volatile trade environment are creating added costs and administrative burdens across the industry.”

Meanwhile, the U.S. housing market is feeling the shock as well. American builders, who depend heavily on Canadian lumber and engineered wood, report that the new tariffs are driving up costs for both single‑family homes and multifamily projects. Robert Dietz, Chief Economist at the National Association of Home Builders, has long warned that rising material and regulatory costs constrain supply and erode affordability. The trade war has now amplified those pressures—and with Ottawa’s retaliatory tariffs on U.S. building materials set to strike, prices on American steel, machinery, and manufactured goods will go up, making imported materials even more expensive. Add in labour market challenges, rising wage pressures, and heightened border‑related delays, and the damage is expected to linger, leading to fewer homes being built, possibly for years to come.

Broader economic consequences

The long‑term implications of the trade war reach far beyond construction sites and border checkpoints, according to a new report prepared for the Canadian American Business Council (CABC) by Oxford Economics. Released in late August, the analysis underscores the depth of Canada–U.S. economic integration and how mutually beneficial that relationship has been for decades. It finds that cross‑border integration has consistently delivered economic gains for businesses, workers, and consumers in both countries, with manufacturing industries emerging as the most exposed to any disruption in that system. Ultimately, the report is blunt in its conclusion: tariffs do not expand the American manufacturing sector, nor do they meaningfully reduce the U.S. trade deficit.

“The U.S.–Canada relationship is one of the most integrated economic partnerships in the world, supporting millions of jobs, driving innovation, and strengthening our collective competitiveness,” said Beth Burke, CEO of the CABC. “The choices made today will determine North America’s economic competitiveness for decades to come. Businesses on both sides of the border are looking for predictability.”

That warning resonates across the housing and construction sectors, and beyond. The conflict may be unfolding at the border, but its consequences are landing in Canadian living rooms, rental listings, and construction trailers. Tariffs raise costs, border delays slow projects, and the result is the same on both sides of the border: higher housing prices, fewer homes, and worsening affordability.

North Vancouver Crosscut Bridge opens

The City of North Vancouver has opened Crosscut Bridge, a new pedestrian and cycling bridge over the Upper Levels Highway.

Spanning from Loutet Park to the intersection of Casano Drive and Rufus Avenue, Crosscut Bridge creates a new north-south connection between the Loutet and Cedar Village communities, which were separated by the construction of the highway in the 1960s.

The new bridge provides a safe and accessible pathway for people walking, rolling and cycling to schools, parks, services and commercial areas – connecting the two key regional hubs of the City of North Vancouver and Lynn Valley.

By linking to current and future active transportation routes – the Green Necklace, Salop Trail, Upper Levels Greenway and Eastside Connector – residents of all ages and abilities can now enjoy a safe and inviting new route supporting their movement around the city and beyond.

“The opening of Crosscut Bridge marks the beginning of a new chapter for the City of North Vancouver,” said Mayor Linda Buchanan. “It connects neighbourhoods that were previously separated, allowing families and individuals of all abilities and ages to travel safely and confidently over Highway 1.”

The Crosscut Bridge has been built with safety and comfort of all users in mind, featuring amenities like built-in lighting, a water fountain, accessible approach pathways and rest areas.

This project supports the city’s long-term transportation plan by expanding the city’s active transportation network, reducing barriers to crossing the highway, and linking important local and regional destinations.

Condos tackle lithium-ion battery risks

Governments, businesses, and consumers are transitioning away from fossil fuels and related greenhouse gas emissions, prompting the use of lithium-ion batteries in electric vehicles, e-bikes, smartphones, laptops, power tools, and countless other devices.

Various types of batteries are being explored and developed amidst the increasing use of electric energy, but for now, lithium-ion batteries are the prominent form used in most of the above applications. They offer concentrated and relatively light-weight storage of electricity, have a long service life, and can be recharged thousands of times.

Lithium-ion batteries mostly operate safely and reliably, but failures do occur with serious resulting risks, particularly in multi-residential settings. This past April, Toronto Fire Chief Jim Jessop reported that a lithium-ion battery failure for an e-bike caused a serious balcony fire at a downtown Toronto high-rise.

Jessop said the incident underscores the risks associated with these batteries and the hazards that firefighters encounter during emergency response. He also said that e-bike batteries had become the “largest growing fire safety risk” in Toronto. According to a City of Toronto news release in July 2025, fires caused by lithium-ion batteries increased 162 per cent between 2022 and 2024. More recently, as of August 19, there have been 86 incidents in the city, according to Toronto Fire Services.

Condominium corporations are recognizing the steps needed to manage these risks.

Understanding the Risks

The primary safety concern associated with lithium-ion batteries is the potential for “thermal runaway”—a chain reaction that occurs when a battery cell overheats. Once initiated, thermal runaway can generate intense heat, toxic gases, and fires that can spread rapidly. In some cases, battery cells may explode or reignite even after the initial fire appears to have been extinguished.

Battery fires may result from several factors, including:

Manufacturing defects;
Physical damage or punctures;
Exposure to excessive heat;
Improper charging practices;
Use of incompatible or counterfeit chargers;
Overcharging or deep discharging; and
Aging or degraded battery cells.

The growing popularity of e-bikes and e-scooters has increased the concerns regarding lithium-ion battery safety. E-bikes and scooters often contain large battery packs that are charged inside apartments, storage rooms, hallways, parking garages and exclusive-use areas. In some cases, batteries may be modified, repaired, or assembled using non-certified components, resulting in significant added risks.

Serious Concerns in Multi-Residential Buildings

Residential buildings concentrate large numbers of occupants within a relatively confined space. A fire originating in a single apartment can quickly threaten neighbouring units and common areas. Because lithium-ion battery fires can develop rapidly and produce substantial amounts of heat and smoke, occupants may have limited time to evacuate.

The toxic gases released during battery failures may also spread through ventilation systems and common corridors. Another risk is the increasing use of personal mobility devices, including e-bikes, and electric scooters, which has created new challenges for building managers. Charging activities often take place inside residential units or in exclusive-use areas, where improper charging practices are difficult to detect.

Lithium-ion battery fires can be difficult to extinguish using conventional firefighting methods. Even after suppression, damaged batteries may reignite hours or days later, creating ongoing safety concerns for emergency responders and property managers.

What Can Condominium Corporations Do?

Despite these concerns, lithium-ion batteries can be used safely when proper precautions are taken.

Key safety measures include:

Use Certified Products

Residents should only purchase batteries, chargers, and electric mobility devices from reputable manufacturers and ensure that products have been tested and certified by recognized safety organizations. Low-cost or counterfeit batteries can lack critical safety features.

Follow Manufacturer Instructions

Batteries should only be charged using the charger supplied or recommended by the manufacturer. Users should avoid modifying batteries or attempting repairs unless performed by qualified technicians.

Safely Dispose of Damaged Batteries

Damaged batteries should not be used.

Safe Charging

Batteries should be charged in proper locations, away from combustible materials and from fire routes. Furthermore: Whenever possible, batteries should not be left charging unattended for extended periods or overnight. Early detection of overheating, unusual odors, smoke, or swelling can prevent a small problem from becoming a major emergency.

Safe Storage

Batteries should be safely stored, in accordance with manufacturer’s instructions.

Pass Rules

Rules can serve a number of important purposes: (1) Educating residents (about safe charging and storage of batteries); (2) Allowing the condominium corporation to take enforcement steps in cases where violations come to the corporation’s attention; and (3) Possibly placing responsibility / liability upon any resident who contravenes the Rule. [This in turn may increase the likelihood of compliance.]

The rules can include the following:

Use only manufacturer-approved batteries and chargers;
Charge on a non-combustible surface.;
More generally: Keep batteries away from combustible materials;
Avoid charging damaged, swollen, or wet batteries;
Provide adequate ventilation during charging;
Whenever possible, do not leave batteries charging unattended for long periods, especially high-capacity batteries such as those used in e-bikes, scooters, and power tools; and
More generally, follow manufacturer’s instructions for charging and storage.

Lithium-ion batteries are useful, important pieces of equipment in our modern society, but they bring risks, particularly from unsafe charging and storage. More condo corporations are becoming aware and passing rules to control these risks, which can particularly help with educating residents before an incident occurs.

James Davidson and Nancy Houle are partners at Davidson Houle Allen LLP Condominium Law. dhacondolaw.ca

199 new rental homes coming to Edmonton

Edmonton’s rental supply is set to grow with the launch of Gilbertson Block, a six‑storey, 199‑unit project now under construction at 210 Lakewood Road East NW. The federal government, Rohit Group, and Covenant have announced over $56 million in funding for the development, including $51.2 million in low‑cost financing through the Apartment Construction Loan Program (ACLP).

Gilbertson Block is part of the emerging Covenant Wellness Community, an integrated model that brings housing, health care, and community supports together on one campus. The building will sit adjacent to Covenant’s new Stelmach Community Health Centre, which offers a range of outpatient and specialized health services. Residents will have access to in‑suite laundry, an onsite gym, heated underground parking, air conditioning, and tenant lounges, with schools, recreation facilities, retail, restaurants, and transit all within walking distance. Construction is underway and expected to be completed in late 2027.

“Canada’s housing needs requires strong ideas and strong partnerships,” said Caroline Desrochers, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Housing and Infrastructure “By working alongside the private sector, we can help bring forward new approaches to housing to deliver more homes. This partnership is a great example of what we can achieve when governments and industry work together.”

According to Rohit Group CEO Rohit Gupta, the development reflects a model that “brings housing and health care together in a way that benefits residents and strengthens the broader health system.”

The ACLP, a $55‑billion national program, is supporting more than 131,000 new rental homes across Canada by 2031–32. For Gilbertson Block, Rohit Group and Covenant are contributing an additional $5.1 million, helping bring new secure rental homes to market in a growing, service‑rich community.

Retaliatory tariffs set for building products

Radiators, most air conditioners, and LED luminaires and lighting fittings manufactured in the United States will be hit with retaliatory tariffs when imported into Canada, beginning Sept. 8. However, multifamily landlords and condominium corporations procuring for retrofits can still purchase mini-split heat pumps and air conditioner units free from the looming 15 per cent surcharge on other types of air conditioning equipment.

The Canadian government has released a long list of items to be subject to 15, 25 or 50 per cent counter-tariffs, in response to the U.S. government’s Aug. 22 imposition of a 50 per cent tariff on an extensive slate of Canadian imports. Canada’s countermeasures apply on $27.6 billion worth of U.S. goods largely matching product categories the U.S. has targeted.

That includes both products caught in the recent ambush and those that have been exposed to longer standing sectoral tariffs introduced in 2025. The countermeasures come in step with the promise of up to $7.5 billion in financial supports to help businesses maintain operational liquidity and workers bridge lost income.

“Our dollar-for-dollar, rate-for-rate counter-tariffs, as well as a multi-billion dollar support package, will protect workers, farmers, families and businesses as we build a stronger, more resilient, and more diversified Canadian economy,” asserts François-Philippe Champagne, Canada’s Minister of Finance and National Revenue.

An extensive slate of U.S.-sourced steel, aluminum and wood products are tapped for the counter-tariffs. That covers steel and aluminum in most forms prior to being fabricated into a product or structure, plywood and a range of wood furnishings.

Drilling down to building systems, equipment and materials, importers will have to absorb or pass through various cost premiums of 15 to 50 per cent depending on the product.

The maximum 50 per cent surcharge will apply on:

LED luminaires and lighting fittings;
steel and aluminum windows, doors and associated frames;
vinyl floor, wall and ceiling coverings;
nails, tacks, staples and threaded items such as bolts, nuts, screws, rivets and washers;
scaffolding; and
protective suits for hazardous exposure environments.

A 25 per cent tariff will apply on:

radiators;
carpets;
stainless steel sinks and basins;
hinges; and
bar or rod exit devices for doors.

Air conditioners, with the exception of mini-split heat pumps and air conditioner units, will be subject to a 15 per cent tariff.

Construction hit hard as trade war escalates

Steel, aluminium, lumber and cement are all being hit with damaging new 50 per cent tariffs with the collapse of trade talks between the US and Canada. The new sweeping tariffs are on top of existing US tariffs, which will drive construction costs and risks further up and create more disruptions in deeply integrated U.S.-Canadian supply chains.

Trump’s tariffs will impact value-added and processed wood items, including engineered wood panels, plywood, laminated veneer lumber (LVL), particle board, and medium-density fiberboard (MDF). Finishing materials like Canadian drywall and hardwood moldings are also subject to the new 50 per cent baseline tariff. Fasteners, HVAC equipment, scaffolding, doors/windows, lifting machinery, and more, will be hit with rates from 15 to 50 per cent.

B.C.’s forestry industry expects it will be one of the hardest-hit sectors by the new tariffs and is bracing for severe economic damage. Goods impacted account for more than 13 per cent of the province’s total exports to the United States, with wood and paper among the most affected categories.

The National Association of Home Builders, headquartered in Washington, D.C., has warned that tariffs will only make building materials and equipment more expensive and worsen affordability challenges.

Following the U.S. decision to impose the new tariff on $27.6 billion of Canadian goods effective August 22, Minister Champagne confirmed that Canada will match the new U.S. tariffs dollar for dollar, rate for rate, with additional Canadian tariffs on U.S. goods. The Canadian levies, ranging from 15 per cent to 50 per cent, are effective on September 8, 2026.

Canada’s counter tariffs will apply to imports from the U.S. and will focus on sectors such as steel, dairy, appliances, agricultural equipment, pulp and paper, and electronics, that are most impacted by U.S. tariffs. The list of products is designed to match Canadian goods hit by the US.

“We support and applaud the federal government’s swift action in introducing support measures for affected businesses and workers. These measures are a meaningful and welcome first step that recognizes the significant challenges many companies are facing,” said Greater Vancouver Board of Trade’s president and CEO, Bridgitte Anderson.

Mortgage holders anxious about new monthly payments

Despite Canada’s low default rate, one-third of borrowers are concerned about increased monthly mortgage payments as pandemic-era renewal nears an end. Over the next year, the last of the five-year, fixed-payment mortgages obtained during that record-low interest rate period will come up for renewal, representing approximately 12 per cent of all outstanding mortgages in Canada.

According to a recent Royal LePage survey, conducted by Burson, 38 per cent of Canadians with a mortgage on their primary residence expect their monthly payment to increase upon renewal, with 26 per cent anticipating a slight increase and 12 per cent expecting a significant jump.

Nationwide, 31 per cent of respondents expect their mortgage payments to stay approximately the same, while 17 per cent expect their payment to decrease. Homeowners who last renewed their mortgage when interest rates were at historic lows are the most likely to expect an increase at their next renewal. The Bank of Canada’s overnight lending rate stood at just 0.25 per cent in 2021 before rising to 4.25 per cent by the end of 2022.

“The pandemic-triggered era of ultra-low rates came to an abrupt halt in early 2022, having lasted less than two years. While many Canadians who secured record-low mortgages during this period have already navigated their renewals, the final major group of rock-bottom rate holders are up for renewal, and understandably, they are concerned,” said Phil Soper, president and CEO, Royal LePage.

“What we are finding in practice is that families are managing the transition. Borrowing rates have retreated significantly from their post-pandemic peaks, while salaries and wages have continued to appreciate. While some households are adjusting discretionary spending to accommodate higher monthly mortgage payments, the widespread default crisis many feared simply hasn’t materialised – a testament in large part to Canada’s prudent lending standards.”

Respondents in Saskatchewan and Manitoba are the most likely to anticipate a higher monthly payment at renewal (43 per cent), while those in Alberta are the least likely (29 per cent). Across the rest of the country, responses are aligned, with 39 per cent of respondents in Ontario, Quebec and Atlantic Canada, and 37 per cent in British Columbia expecting an increase in their monthly payments.

Anxiety over renewal

When asked how they feel about their upcoming mortgage renewal compared to their previous renewal, 43 per cent of respondents say they feel about the same as last time; approximately one third (35 per cent) say they feel more anxious. Anxiety is highest among homeowners who last renewed their mortgage in 2021 or 2022.

“Anxiety is concentrated right where you would expect it, among homeowners who bought or refinanced when the overnight rate sat at 0.25 per cent,” said Soper. “Logically, no one expected rates to stay that low forever, but knowing a rate hike is coming intellectually and seeing the actual monthly dollar increase on paper are two very different things. Importantly, the vast majority of these 2021 borrowers were stress-tested at rates near five per cent or higher. They are moving into a rate environment they have already proven they can handle.”

Under federal mortgage qualification rules, borrowers must demonstrate they can afford payments at a rate higher than the one they are offered by their lender. Today, buyers must qualify at the greater of their contract rate plus two percentage points or 5.25 per cent. As a result, homeowners who purchased in 2021 were required to qualify at a minimum rate of 5.25 per cent, which is higher than most five-year fixed rates available today.

Forty-five per cent of respondents in Vancouver and 39 per cent in Toronto say they feel more anxious than they did at their previous renewal. Meanwhile, 34 per cent of respondents in Montreal and 32 per cent in Calgary report feeling more anxious about their upcoming renewal.

“Anxiety around mortgage renewals tends to be greater in British Columbia because outstanding mortgage balances are often much larger,” said Adil Dinani, sales representative and team lead of the Dinani Group, Royal LePage West Real Estate Services in Greater Vancouver. “The same increase in interest rates that adds a few hundred dollars to a monthly payment in other parts of the country can have a much greater impact in Metro Vancouver.”

Dinani noted that most homeowners want to stay in their homes rather than sell. “When payments put pressure on the household budget, many are exploring practical options, whether that is generating rental income, adjusting spending, or in some cases selling an investment property,” he said. “People are adapting to changing conditions rather than making rushed decisions.”

To offset higher housing costs, homeowners expect to make practical adjustments to their household budgets, with plans to reduce discretionary spending, cut back on travel, and delay or cancel home renovations.

Most homeowners have no plans to change their living arrangements despite the prospect of higher mortgage payments. Among the 22 per cent who are considering a change, seven per cent are looking at relocating to a more affordable region, while five per cent are considering renting out part of their home to offset mortgage costs. Another five per cent say they are considering downsizing.

AI is changing facility management without replacing people

Artificial intelligence has quickly become one of the most discussed topics in business. Every industry seems to be asking the same question: How will AI change the way we work?

Facility services are no exception.

From predictive maintenance and smart building systems to automated scheduling and quality inspections, AI is influencing facility management. While the technology is evolving rapidly, many facility managers are still determining where it delivers meaningful value and where it simply adds complexity.

The conversation should not begin with replacing people; it should begin with helping people perform their jobs more effectively. That distinction matters because commercial cleaning has always been, and will remain, a people business. Success depends on well-trained teams, consistent execution, strong communication, and trusted relationships. AI can help strengthen those fundamentals, but it cannot replace them.

AI is becoming a better decision support tool

The most practical applications of AI today are not robots cleaning office buildings; they’re tools that help operators make better decisions.

Facilities generate more information than ever before: occupancy trends, work order histories, inspection reports, supply usage, equipment performance, and customer feedback all provide valuable insight. AI can analyze that information faster than any individual manager, helping identify patterns that might otherwise go unnoticed.

For example, recurring service requests in a particular area may signal that cleaning frequencies need adjustment, supply usage may indicate changes in building occupancy, and inspection data can highlight locations where quality scores consistently decline after certain shifts.

Instead of reacting to these issues after complaints arrive, facility managers can use data to address them proactively. That shift from reactive management to predictive decision-making is where AI offers its greatest value.

Technology cannot replace operational leadership

While AI has tremendous potential, it cannot replace the judgment that experienced operators bring to every facility. No software can build trust with a client, and no algorithm can coach an employee through a difficult situation or recognize when a team member needs additional support. Those responsibilities remain firmly in the hands of people.

One encouraging finding from recent Franchise Business Review research is that franchise business owners consistently place the highest value on strong leadership, operational support, effective communication, and ongoing training. Those findings reinforce something many of us have believed for years: sustainable success comes from investing in people and giving them systems that help them perform at their best. Technology should enhance those systems rather than attempt to replace them.

Organizations seeing the greatest benefit from AI use it to reduce administrative work, improve operational visibility, and give managers better information. That allows leaders to spend more time where they create the most value: supporting their teams and strengthening client relationships.

AI can improve consistency across multiple facilities

One of the biggest challenges in commercial cleaning is maintaining consistent service across multiple locations. Each facility has its own traffic patterns, occupancy levels, and operational requirements. Keeping every location aligned requires constant communication and oversight.

AI-powered reporting and analytics can help identify inconsistencies before they become client concerns. Inspection trends, response times, and recurring service issues are easier to monitor when data is consolidated into a single view.

For regional territory owners supporting multiple janitorial franchisees, that visibility is even more valuable. Rather than relying solely on periodic site visits, leaders can identify emerging issues earlier, provide targeted coaching, and allocate resources more effectively.

Technology does not create consistency by itself; it provides better visibility where consistency needs attention.

The human element remains the competitive advantage

As AI evolves, the companies that benefit most will not necessarily be those that adopt the most technology. They will be the organizations that successfully combine technology with experienced leadership, well-trained teams, and a culture of continual improvement.

That philosophy aligns closely with what multi-location owners identify as the greatest drivers of long-term success. Strong operational systems, collaborative support, ongoing education, and trusted relationships consistently rank among the factors that produce the highest satisfaction and strongest business performance.

AI can help streamline processes, improve planning, and uncover valuable operational insights. What it can’t do is create accountability, build culture, or develop lasting client partnerships.

Those responsibilities will always belong to people.

Looking beyond technology

Artificial intelligence is likely to become a standard tool in facility management over the next several years. As adoption increases, the conversation should move beyond whether organizations should use AI and focus on how to use it responsibly and effectively.

The most successful facility service providers will view AI as an operational resource rather than a replacement for experience. By combining intelligent technology with strong leadership, standardized processes, and ongoing support, organizations can improve efficiency while continuing to deliver the consistent service clients expect.

In the end, AI is not changing the foundation of facility management; it’s simply giving good operators better information to make better decisions. Those who embrace the balance between innovation and human expertise will be well positioned for whatever comes next.

Matt Sole is the Master Franchise Owner for Anago of Phoenix, part of the Anago Cleaning Systems brand, supporting over 1800 franchises across the U.S. and Canada. For more information about Anago of Phoenix, visit www.AnagoCleaning.com/Phoenix.

Revamping the historic Théâtre Jean-Duceppe

Canada’s recent $1.2 million investment into the Théâtre Jean-Duceppe in Montreal will help modernize facilities for the non-profit artistic organization, which has played a central role in Quebec’s theatre scene for more than 50 years

Compagnie Jean Duceppe theatre company was founded in 1973 and has a mission to create, produce and present contemporary theatre performances in Montréal and throughout Quebec, primarily through its tours.

This funding, provided through the Canada Cultural Spaces Fund, will be used to set up a new rehearsal, creation and performance space that meets professional standards. The improvements will provide artists with an optimal working environment, as well as better reception and access conditions for the public.

“This contribution from Canadian Heritage marks the completion of the funding for our creative space,” said Amélie Duceppe, executive director. “It complements the support from the Government of Quebec and the commitment of the Jean Duceppe Foundation, as well as the success of our major $2-million fundraising campaign with private partners. Together, this support confirms our partners’ commitment to providing us with the resources to create, experiment and promote theatre for years to come.”

Brookfield Residential commits to Built Green first

Brookfield Residential has become the first large master-planned community developer to participate in the Built Green certification program with the simultaneous enrollment of Chappelle Gardens, The Orchards, Edgemont and Desrochers Grove, which are all based in Edmonton.

“We are thrilled Brookfield Residential is investing in more sustainable communities, as we partner with a shared vision for greater vibrancy, equity and resiliency in the places we live,” said Jenifer Christenson, CEO of Built Green Canada. “Working with them and the builders who are also voluntarily choosing a more sustainable trajectory is a testament to the industry’s progression for the good.”

Launched as a pilot in 2020, the Built Green Communities certification program offers developers a framework to evaluate sustainability on a human, neighbourhood and global scale. The program’s holistic framework considers health, resiliency, lifecycle sustainability, new urbanism, greenhouse gas emissions, green space and resource consumption.

“Partnering with Built Green helps us better understand the sustainability efforts already embedded within our communities while identifying opportunities to continually improve,” said Mike Kohl, senior vice-president of Alberta communities. “Having a trusted partner on this journey gives us valuable insight as we continue creating communities that are healthier, more resilient and better for future generations.”

Brookfield Residential is working alongside Daytona Homes, Excel Homes, Homes by Avi and Sterling Homes, who are voluntarily pursuing Built Green certification and are already building beyond code requirements.

Effective workplace cleaning practices during cold and flu season

Heading into cold and flu season, implementing practices that keep people healthy and productive is good for business. Up to 75 per cent of employees miss work due to an illness, with an average absence of two to three 3 days each time. However, 80 to 90 per cent of employees admit to coming to the office while experiencing cold or flu symptoms – and that can lead to increased longterm absenteeism, lack of productivity, and challenging labour management.

With flexible work-from-home policies, inconsistent traffic, and relaxed cleaning protocols, many companies can improve their practices for fall and winter.

Sharing germs

Studies show that when a sick person touches a communal office item (like a coffee pot of photocopier, or keyboard), roughly 50 per cent of office surfaces become contaminated within two to four hours. That’s not very long to have the majority of your staff exposed to those germs.

Keeping people at home when sick, improving sick day policies, and allowing staff to work remotely helps keep the business running while reducing the spread of germs. However, many companies have implemented a hybrid rotating schedule with shared desks, and that can be counterproductive. If you are sharing desks, ensure that there are strict cleaning protocols in place to sanitize each area between uses.

Cleaning and maintenance practices

Implementing practices that maximize sanitation for a flexible workspace will reduce absenteeism, keep employees safer, and increase productivity:

Encourage employees to stay home when they are unwell – even if desks are spread out, the schedule is staggered, and the office is never full, exposure increases the risk for everyone.
Institute a cleaning schedule that sanitizes each area between uses with cleaners, sanitization stations, and clear employee expectations to keep everyone safe.
Improving IAQ can help reduce the spread of germs through the office. Changing HVAC filters, instituting a regular maintenance schedule, and increasing airflow can all contribute to better IAQ.
Encourage employees to wash their dishes, rather than leaving mugs or dishes in the sink or dishwasher. Also, ask employees to bring their work supplies back and forth to avoid cross-contamination by multiple users, or offer separate storage for personal and office items to minimize cross-utilization.
Make the most of technology by limiting large meetings or get-togethers, choosing remote options instead to minimize exposure.

Cold and flu season can result in significant absenteeism for businesses, even when employees are on a hybrid schedule. Adopting regular maintenance and cleaning to minimize the spread of germs will help keep employees safe and your business running without interruption.

Lobbying precedes U.S. cement tariff

The new 50 per cent tariff on Canadian cement imports is expected to exert further upward pressure on construction costs in the United States. That adds to the mix of surcharges on softwood lumber, steel and aluminum that have already contributed to a 7.1 per cent year-over-year increase in non-residential input costs between the summers of 2025 and 2026.

“Tariffs are creating an unmanageable and unpredictable level of risk for contractors,” says Mike Elmendorf, president and chief executive officer the Associated General Contractors of America’s New York State chapter (AGC NYS). “They are driving up the cost of construction materials at a time when material costs are already high and we are in an inflationary environment.”

Prior to the Aug. 22 enactment of the tariff, cement was a rarity in the AGC’s producer price index — registering a 0.7 per cent decline in price in the 12 months since July 2025. However, that’s in the context of a 39.2 per cent price increase since the pre-COVID era of February 2020.

In March 2025, the American Cement Association (ACA) estimated that more than a third of the cement consumed in New York, Washington and various New England states could come from Canadian sources. Cement’s inclusion among the hundreds of Canadian products and commodities now subject to a 50 per cent tariff occurs after ACA representatives met with U.S. government officials in June to call for support for domestic production, and advance the case for cement to be recognized as a critical material for U.S. infrastructure and national security.

Republican influencers have also been making that argument. Congressional representative Ryan Mackenzie, a Republican from Pennsylvania, advocated for an executive order “to bolster the nation’s cement industry” in a March 2026 letter to the U.S. president.

Mike Bishop, a former Michigan congressional representative, likewise called for policies to mandate domestically produced cement in U.S. infrastructure, housing and defence supply chains in a mid-June opinion piece published in Bridge Michigan, a non-partisan online news site. Indonesia and Vietnam are specifically identified as countries he alleges are flooding global markets and “depressing prices and stifling investment in U.S. plants and quarries,” but he does not name Canada.

For its part, the Cement Association of Canada reiterated its support for integrated North American supply chains following last week’s postponement of the U.S. government’s initially proposed Aug. 19 start-date for tariffs. “Our priority is a trade environment that allows Canadian cement and concrete producers to remain competitive while supporting the timely and cost-effective delivery of the housing and infrastructure North America needs,” it stated.

The association has not commented since the tariff was invoked Aug. 22.

2026 Clean Hands Survey results revealed

The recently released 2026 Clean Hands Index suggests there is an opportunity for facility managers and cleaners to broaden the understanding of handwashing performance. While cleaning and facility professionals reported routinely tracking operational measures such as soap usage, paper towel usage, cleaning frequency, maintenance calls, and user complaints, those criteria only help track and measure restroom operations.

But even though those steps are being taken, is the public successfully handwashing hygienically?

“For decades, restroom performance has been evaluated through operational measures such as cleanliness, supplies, and maintenance,” said Tim Cromley, founder of Clean Hands Certified and publisher of the Clean Hands Index. “The next evolution may be understanding not only whether restrooms are clean, but whether they consistently enable people to complete a hygienic handwash.”

Surveying over 200 industry professionals, 2,550 public participants, and using data from 11developed countries, the Index provides useful findings on handwashing practices:

75 per cent say that they are more likely to return to a business with
68 per cent of the public want a touch-free restroom experience
60 per cent of people wash their hands for a longer period when warm water is available
75 per cent of people avoid touching restroom doors when they exit
Almost 92 per cent cite soap availability as the most important factor in handwashing compliance

The Index highlights that handwashing is a system, and that system includes soap, water, temperature, drying, exit design, maintenance, refill routines, specifications, installation, user behavior, and public perception. When one link fails, the handwashing experience fails.

These findings resulted in the development of Clean Hands Certified, an independent performance standard, evaluating the complete public handwashing experience, rather than looking at restroom fixtures individually. The program is designed to complement traditional cleaning and facility metrics, introducing performance measures focused on how successfully facilities consistently enable hygienic handwashing.

“The cleaning profession has continually advanced how facilities are maintained,” said Cromley. “This research suggests the next opportunity is helping organizations demonstrate not only that restrooms are clean, but that they consistently support one of public health’s most important everyday behaviours.”

Report finds Ontario’s rental housing gap persists

Despite record levels of purpose‑built rental construction, a new report shows Ontario is still not building enough homes to keep pace with long‑term demand—a gap that’s expected to widen significantly over the next decade. The analysis, released by FRPO and Urbanation, finds the province is on track to face a 121,000‑unit rental housing shortfall by 2036, driven largely by rapid population growth. With 1.4 million new residents projected to arrive over the same period, Ontario will need roughly 25,000 purpose‑built rental completions per year just to keep pace with renter household formation.

In recent years, purpose‑built rental development has accelerated at an unprecedented pace. Starts rose 37 per cent in 2025, surpassing 24,000 units, and climbed again to more than 32,000 units in the 12 months ending June 2026. By mid‑2026, a record 66,549 rental units were under construction across the province. This surge reflects the impact of targeted government policies and improved financing conditions, demonstrating that when the economics of rental housing improve, builders respond decisively. Still, the report emphasizes that these gains must be sustained—not viewed as a temporary peak—if Ontario hopes to close the gap between supply and demand.

A major structural shift is also reshaping the rental landscape. For the past decade, condominium rentals supplied the majority of new rental homes, accounting for 58 per cent of Ontario’s growth in rental supply. Over the next decade, that share is expected to fall to just 9 per cent. With fewer condo units entering the rental pool, purpose‑built rentals will need to shoulder nearly the entire burden of future supply—a dramatic shift that places even greater pressure on the development pipeline.

The projected shortfall is not limited to one region. The Greater Toronto and Hamilton Area alone is expected to account for 74,000 units, or 60 per cent of the province’s rental gap. And while some markets have experienced short‑term softening, the report cautions against interpreting current conditions as evidence that Ontario’s long‑term supply challenge has eased. Rental housing takes years to plan, finance, approve and build; a slowdown today will inevitably translate into fewer homes delivered tomorrow.

Government policies

While the recent surge in rental construction is closely tied to measures such as the federal HST rebate for new purpose‑built rentals, expanded access to financing, development charge relief, and Ontario’s 2018 exemption of new rental housing from rent control, many of these supports are temporary. The HST rebate requires projects to start construction by 2030, Toronto’s development charge reductions expire in 2029, and federal financing allocations run through 2031–32. Without long‑term stability, the report warns that momentum behind today’s record‑high construction levels could falter.

Ultimately, the challenge ahead is not simply reaching record levels of purpose‑built rental construction, but maintaining them. Read the full FRPO-Urbanation report here: Microsoft Word – Urbanation-FRPO_Ontario_Rental_Market_Study_Update_-_Aug_2026

Fast + Epp to design Brisbane aquatic centre roof

Fast + Epp, in collaboration with Robert Bird Group, have been appointed structural engineer on the National Aquatic Centre in Brisbane for the 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games.

The National Aquatic Centre will be developed adjacent to the existing Centenary Pool at Victoria Park in Spring Hill. Designed to host the majority of aquatic events during the 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games, the venue will balance the demands of elite competition with long-term community benefit, providing a world-class facility for public use long after the Games.

The current design includes three new covered competition pools, a gym, high-performance rooms and administration spaces, complementing the three existing outdoor pools within the heritage‑listed Centenary Pool complex.

Fast + Epp will work alongside Robert Bird Group, together with the broader AAN design consortium (comprising ARM Architecture, Arkhefield and NH Architecture) to design the National Aquatic Centre’s architecturally defining wave-form roof.

The project brings together Robert Bird Group’s deep Brisbane roots, local expertise and experience across complex infrastructure, major sporting venues and large-span roof structures with Fast + Epp’s international experience in award-winning aquatic facilities and landmark long-span timber structures. Together, the two firms will deliver an expressive and high-performing structural solution for this landmark venue.

Canada opportune for tech sector investors

Investors in Canada’s tech sector can generally expect more favourable operating costs than in comparable markets in the United States. Newly released results from CBRE’s annual assessment of the 50 North American markets that are most successfully sustaining and nurturing the tech sector include eight Canadian representatives that also form a block as the eight most cost-competitive for the combination of employee remuneration and rent.

Six Canadian markets — Toronto, Vancouver, Waterloo Region, Montreal, Ottawa and Calgary — are ranked in the top 15 based on 13 variously weighted performance indicators, with Toronto slotted highest at third. Two more Canadian entrants in the list, Quebec City (ranked 37th) and Edmonton (ranked 42nd), emerge as the two operational locales with the lowest average annual costs for hypothetically employing and accommodating 500 workers in a 60,000-square-foot office space.

In Quebec City, that’s pegged at USD $36.1 million (CAD $49.5 million), or a 60 per cent discount on the San Francisco Bay area’s chart-topping USD $90.6 million (CAD $124 million) average costs. Toronto is the priciest Canadian market at USD $42 million (CAD $57.5 million), but that’s still a 16 per cent discount on the best bargain in the U.S. — Indianapolis at USD $50 million (CAD $68.5 million), which is ranked 40th for its complete package of tech-welcoming attributes.

Within the top five markets, Toronto’s average operating costs are anywhere from 53.6 per cent lower than the San Franciso Bay area (ranked 1st) to 33 per cent lower than Austin (ranked 5th). Vancouver, Waterloo Region and Montreal — consecutively slotted in 9th, 10th and 11th — post average operating costs that are 31 to 35 per cent lower than 8th ranked Dallas-Fort Worth, and 29 to 33 per cent lower than those in 12th ranked Raleigh-Durham.

Labour costs account for much of the differential between Canadian and U.S. markets. Within the five leading markets, office rent generally equates to less than 5 per cent of the considered operating costs, with the exception of New York City, where it represents 6.6 per cent of the total. In Toronto, rent is 5 per cent of the cost, which is a larger share of the total than in Seattle, Austin or the San Francisco Bay area. However, as a dollar value, Toronto’s average annual rent of USD $2.1 million (CAD $2.9 million) is lower than the four U.S. cities. Average annual rent in New York City is the priciest, at USD $4.9 million (CAD $6.7 million).

Vancouver posts the highest average annual rent among the eight Canadian markets, at USD $2.4 million (CAD $3.3 million), which equates to 5.7 per cent of considered costs. Quebec City’s average annual rent is pegged at USD $1.24 million (CAD $1.7 million) for a 3.3 per cent share of considered costs.

CBRE analysts also plot where employers can expect to find the best value for their money, which assesses operating costs and the market’s talent profile. The latter is ranked based on the number of software engineers with at least three years of working experience who are graduates of either one of Canada’s top five post-secondary computer science programs or the top 25 in the United States.

“Due in part to the exchange rate, Vancouver and Waterloo Region in Canada provide the best value when it comes to cost and quality, followed by Madison and Pittsburgh in the U.S.,” CBRE analysts conclude. “Toronto, Edmonton and Indianapolis also offer good value.”

Turning to residential accommodations for tech talent, average rents fall comfortably under the standard affordability benchmark of 30 per cent of average income in all 50 markets. In 2025, Vancouver was one of eight markets where the average rent exceeded 20 per cent of average tech earnings, albeit by a nominal 0.1 per cent. New York was the most expensive market, in which average annual rents represented nearly 28 per cent of tech average earnings, translating to USD $3,653 (CAD $5,004) in monthly dollar value.

Toronto, Calgary, Waterloo Region, Ottawa and Edmonton are also in the priciest half of the list based on the ratio of average tech wages to average rent, while Montreal (6th) and Quebec City (10th) are among the 10 markets where earnings stretch farthest. However, all eight Canadian markets are in the bottom third for dollar value of average rent.

Quebec City, Montreal and Edmonton record the three lowest average rents in ascending order, while Waterloo Region, Ottawa and Calgary respectively offer the 5th, 6th and 7th most affordable average rents. San Antonio is the lone U.S. city squeezed among them with the 4th lowest average rent.

Austin provides the standout best deal for tech employees seeking accommodations in one of the top five tech talent markets. Average rents in the city equate to just 12.7 per cent of the average tech wage.

It’s one of 20 markets, all in the U.S., where average monthly rent declined over the three-year period from 2023-25, falling 19 per cent to USD $1,409 (CAD $1,930) in Q4 last year. Nevertheless, that’s slightly higher than Vancouver’s average rent of USD $1,407 (CAD $1,927) in Q4 2025, which was a nearly 18 per cent climb from the average rent in Q4 2022.

Similarly, the ratios of average rent to average tech earnings are roughly comparable in Toronto and the San Francisco Bay area — at 19.7 and 19.6 per cent respectively — even though average tech wages are 132 per cent higher in the San Francisco Bay area. That’s USD $195,000 (CAD $267,000), compared to the USD $84,000 (CAD $115,000) average in Toronto. Meanwhile, average rents stood at USD $3,196 (CAD $4,378) in San Francisco versus USD $1,372 (CAD $1,880) in Toronto as of Q4 2025.