CPP Investments lends on data centre expansion

A planned 54-megawatt data centre expansion in Cambridge, Ontario has secured $550 million in construction financing from Canada Pension Plan Investment Board (CPP Investments) and Deutsch Bank Private Credit & Infrastructure. The co-lenders will each contribute 50 per cent of the funding for the hyperscale facility to be developed by a trio global partners.

“The construction financing of this project marks another milestone in advancing our global data centre strategy and strengthens our presence in the Canadian market,” says Geoffrey Souter, head of real assets credit with CPP Investments.

The project is a joint venture of the data centre development and investment platform, Related Digital; data centre developer and operator, Ascent; and the investment management firm, TowerBrook Capital Planners. The facility expansion has already been pre-leased to a AI cloud compute provider on a long-term basis.

“The rapid expansion of digital infrastructure — driven by accelerating demand for cloud services, data storage, and the transformative potential of artificial intelligence — is fueling strong growth in data centre development,” Souter notes.

Prize-winning housing tech set to build scale

Artificial intelligence (AI) and robotics are central to prize-winning technology tapped to accelerate new housing production on a nationwide scale. Promise Robotics has been awarded game-changer gold in the fifth round of Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation’s (CMHC) housing supply challenge, focused on readily replicable and logistically effective approaches for reducing conventional construction timelines.

The Toronto-headquartered company uses AI-programmed robots to produce building components in its facilities located in Calgary and Edmonton. The industrialized homebuilding model streamlines design, procurement and project management into a single AI-informed platform, enlists the speed and precision of robotized production and centralizes it in a weather-controlled venue. The resulting factory-built components can then be assembled in advertised times of six hours for a single-family home or 14 days for a 64-unit apartment building.

“The goal is to help the industry to significantly increase its capacity in homebuilding,” Ramtin Attar, co-founder and chief executive officer of Promise Robotics, told a gathering during Toronto Tech Week earlier this summer. “So imagine: whether you’re doing single-family or multi-storey, you submit the design and we turn those designs into robotic instructions to manufacturers that are deployed across warehouses located anywhere. They integrate with local trades and supply chains and they produce and assemble all the components within the area where you are located.”

The recently announced CMHC prize arises from a 15-month process beginning with more than 250 applicants. Adjudicators were looking for endeavours that could mobilize innovation, better integrate various segments of housing production and unplug bottlenecks that prolong and complicate planning, financing and construction. (Other rounds of the challenge have focused on: data management; pre-construction issues; Northern and remote communities; and construction processes and materials to support affordability and resilience.)

The field was first narrowed to 18 semi-finalists that each received $1 million to further their business development. From there, nine finalists each received a $3 million award, and the final four game-changers collectively received an additional $15 million. Besides the top honours for Promise Robotics, three companies were named game-changer silver recipients:

Tapestry Community Capital, an advisory for community bonds and related investment and capital-raising services for affordable housing;
mddl, an advisory supporting capacity building for residential infill, particularly mid-rise development; and
One Bowl, a modular housing company, specializing in energy-efficient, cost-effective turnkey housing for First Nations communities.

“Innovators across the country have answered the call of the housing supply challenge, and I’m thrilled to see the work these game-changers are doing to accelerate housing production,” says Gregor Robertson, Canada’s Minister of Housing and Infrastructure.

Speaking during Toronto Tech Week, Attar argued the evolution from on-site to in-factory production will bring more cost certainty and address labour shortages in “an industry that has experienced 0 per cent productivity gains in four decades”. While citing support from community colleges and some trade unions, he acknowledged that the approach may not sit well with custom builders.

“We have generalized blueprint construction. There’s less customization. Our robots can build a home today, an apartment tomorrow, a townhome the next. And they don’t care,” Attar said. “We need solutions that can mobilize the entire sector and create jobs of the future on the scale that we really need. We need tools that can fundamentally retool the entire homebuilding industry.”

Construction underway on new B.C. classrooms

Construction is underway on several new school classrooms and expansions across British Columbia, adding nearly 1,500 new student spaces. These projects are part of a larger effort to address the growing need for school capacity in the province, with a focus on building schools faster and using innovative solutions.

“Communities across the province are growing, and with that comes the urgent need for more schools and more classroom space,” said Minister of Infrastructure Ma. “We’re building schools faster than we ever have before, and we’re doing it with smart solutions that get students into safe, modern classrooms right in their neighbourhood.”

New K-12 classrooms are breaking ground this summer in the following municipalities:

• Chilliwack;
• Delta;
• Fort St. John;
• Richmond;
• North Vancouver; and
• Maple Ridge.

“Every dollar we invest in education is an investment in our future,” said Minister of Education and Child Care Lisa Beare. “With modern learning environments, students are better equipped to thrive academically, socially and emotionally.”

The province has invested approximately $119 million in these classrooms to support growing school districts.

“The new addition to Westview Elementary supports a healthy and vibrant learning community,” said Linda Munro, chair, North Vancouver school board. “We are excited by the innovative approach to building that will add more space and modern classrooms to better meet students’ needs.”

CondoBusiness Summer 2025 Issue

CFM&D Spring/Summer 2025

Keeping homes comfortable during heat waves

As summer heat waves continue blasting across Ontario, Tarion, the not-for-profit consumer protection organization that administers the province’s new home warranty program, has published tips for staying safe and cool at home.

For air conditioners, it’s important to keep up with necessary maintenance. For instance, dirty air filters can spread dust and allergens, and blocked drain lines can lead to mold growth.

For newly built homes, air conditioning units are covered for a year under the builder warranty if they’re purchased and installed by the builder. This warranty, backed by Tarion, covers situations such as an air conditioner not being installed yet or not providing any cooling to the home at all. If there are problems with the unit itself, this may be covered by the manufacturer’s warranty depending upon the issue.

“We encourage homeowners to be proactive with maintenance and – if there are issues covered by the builder’s warranty – we can help make sure the builder addresses them, or intervene directly if needed,” said Peter Balasubramanian, Tarion’s CEO. “If an air conditioning system fails completely during the summer months, it may qualify as an emergency which triggers an expedited claims process.”

Tips to keep your AC in tip top shape during cooling season

Like other parts of a home, air conditioners require regular maintenance to work well. Here are a few recommendations:

- Clean the outdoor condenser unit. Regular maintenance includes cleaning the condenser coils and fan blades, and removing any leaves or debris trapped inside the unit. Also clear away any branches, weeds, or other items around the unit that can block airflow and affect performance.
- Change the air filter. Change the air filter regularly. This improves indoor air quality and helps an air conditioning system work efficiently. A clean filter reduces strain on the unit, which can lower electricity bills and extend the unit’s lifespan. Replace the air filter every three months, or 90 days, or more often if there are pets or allergies.
- Schedule a tune up. A qualified HVAC (Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning) technician can perform all the maintenance tasks required to keep an air conditioner running smoothly and catch issues early. Experts recommend scheduling a service appointment once a year, ideally before the air conditioner is turned on for the first time.

Other tips to help a home stay cool

Check the seals around windows and doors. If too much outside air gets in, it will be harder and more expensive to keep a home cool. Keep an eye out for cracks, gaps, or missing caulking.
Keep the home at a consistent temperature if possible. Whether using a traditional or a smart thermostat, make sure it’s working properly and avoid big temperature swings, which use more energy and make an AC work harder.
Invest in a hygrometer. This tool measures the humidity levels inside a home and helps keep on top of humidity to avoid the discomfort and risks of high humidity.
Use a HRV/ERV to control heat and humidity. A Heat Recovery Ventilator (HRV) or Energy Recovery Ventilator (ERV) are part of the heating and ventilation systems of some homes. They provide fresh air by exchanging indoor air with outdoor air, helping to regulate temperature. ERVs can also remove humidity from the air.

Community hub for Filipino-Yukoners in the works

A multi-purpose community hub for the Canadian-Filipino Association of Yukon (CFAY) is underway. The territorial government is giving $100,000 in funding to advance the project’s feasibility.

There has been an increasing need for dedicated space where Filipino-Yukoners can connect and access culturally appropriate services as the population continues growing.

Early plans for the hub include permanent office space, a community centre, an early learning and childcare centre and potential housing solutions.

Dominic Pelayo, president of CFAY, said the community has been expanding exponentially. “The dream of realizing our vision for a Filipino Community Hub, where we can gather, support one another, and proudly celebrate our heritage, is a milestone we are deeply committed to achieving,”he said.

Pelayo and Premier Mike Pemberton signed a Letter of Intent for the project during the annual Fiesta Filipino this past weekend.

Vancouver welcomes van Dyk as city manager

Donny van Dyk is joining the City of Vancouver as the new city manager, following the exit of Paul Mochrie, who served more than four years in the role.

“Donny brings a results-driven mindset and a strong mix of public and private sector experience that will help us deliver real, tangible outcomes for Vancouverites. As we take on key priorities like meeting our budget targets, delivering the next four-year capital plan, and advancing important work to support residents and businesses, Donny’s proven ability to deliver practical results makes him the right person to lead the implementation of Council’s ambitious agenda,” said Mayor Ken Sim.

Van Dyk comes to the City of Vancouver from the City of Delta, where he joined as city manager in September 2023. In that role, he led critical work in public safety, affordability and housing. During this time, Delta saw crime rates drop to their lowest levels since 2018, while also successfully delivering on its Provincial Housing Target Order by modernizing the Official Community Plan, updating zoning bylaws and streamlining development approvals.

Prior to that, van Dyk was city manager for Penticton, overseeing a period of significant transition, growth and modernization. During that time, he expanded a provincially recognized Community Safety Officer program, managed B.C.’s fourth-largest electrical utility, and guided the city through wildfires, floods and the COVID-19 pandemic. He also served as chief administrative officer for the District of New Hazelton.

In addition to over a decade in municipal leadership roles, van Dyk has held senior roles at Enbridge, where his work spanned Indigenous relations, government affairs and finance.

“I’m honoured to have council’s trust as I step into this role and am excited to serve the City of Vancouver,” said van Dyk. “I look forward to working with Mayor Sim, Council, City leadership and the talented City of Vancouver staff team as we deliver on Council’s agenda for a vibrant and inclusive future for everyone who lives and works in this world class city.”

A chartered professional accountant, van Dyk, who was born and raised in Terrace, B.C., holds a Master of Public Administration from the University of Victoria, a Bachelor of Commerce from the University of Northern British Columbia and a Business Administration diploma from Coast Mountain College.

Van Dyk begins his tenure at the City of Vancouver on September 8, 2025. As city manager, van Dyk will oversee a $2.34 billion annual operating budget, delivery of the $880 billion capital budget, and lead a city-wide team of approximately 9,600 employees.

Construction Business Summer 2025 Issue

Updates could colour Toronto apartment ratings

With new instructions emanating from last week’s Toronto Council meeting, the municipal licensing and standards department is working to develop a colour-coded sign system to signal how rental housing buildings rate in complying with the City’s apartment standards. Staff is expected to report back on how this requirement could be integrated into the existing RentSafeTO inspection and evaluation regime in time for Council’s October meeting, and to prepare estimates of staffing needs and other costs for the 2026 budget deliberations beginning later this year.

The directive arises from a motion that Councillor Josh Matlow introduced at the July Council meeting, which advocates colour-coded signs — similar to those Toronto Public Health uses to denote ratings of dining establishments — as an effective way to communicate a message about building conditions to the public. The motion also calls for changes in the weighting of the various elements that contribute to RentSafeTO scores and the introduction of administrative monetary penalties (AMPs) for property standards violations in apartment buildings.

A three-colour sign system is proposed. Red would indicate a building with serious health and safety violations; yellow would denote minor infractions to building standards; and green would signal a building that is in good repair. Landlords would be required to post signs in prominent locations, and replace them if they are damaged or removed. There would be a 15-day period in which to post updated, accurate signage if a rating is downgraded. (Presumably, landlords would welcome the opportunity to revise signage if the rating improves.)

“Landlords and others have claimed that a red sign would ‘stigmatize’ people in apartment buildings, but tenants have repeatedly told Council that mould and cockroaches are stigmatizing, not a sign. In fact, a 2020 survey conducted by the City found that 81 per cent of respondents agreed with implementing the sign program,” Matlow’s motion states.

As dictated in the motion, licensing staff will be exploring how to realign the RentSafeTo scoring system to attach greater emphasis on “high risk” categories related to health and safety, with fewer points attributed to “cosmetic” categories. That includes instructions to deduct more points in cases where orders, notices of violation or emergency orders have been placed against a property. As well, staff will consider how evaluators should be trained and supported to ensure that ratings are consistent from building to building.

“There are buildings receiving scores of 70 to 80 per cent despite having cockroaches, mould or appliances that don’t work. This is confusing and even infuriating for many tenants,” the motion maintains. “The rating system gives points for keeping the lobby clean, functioning elevators and working laundry machines. The City doesn’t need to congratulate landlords for the basics. That’s what the rent is for.”

If Toronto Council gives approval for yet-to-be-developed program changes, the motion proposes that the updated ratings criteria could be introduced through a phased implementation beginning no later than July 31, 2026.

Toronto’s renovictions bylaw now in effect

Toronto’s new renovictions bylaw officially takes effect today, marking a major shift in how the city handles rental renovations and tenant protections. The Rental Renovation Licence Bylaw, passed by City Council last November, aims to curb “bad faith” evictions—commonly known as renovictions—where landlords force tenants out under the guise of renovations only to hike rents or deny re-entry.

Under the new rules, landlords must obtain a Rental Renovation Licence before initiating any repairs or upgrades that require tenants to vacate. This licence must be secured within seven days of issuing an N13 notice to end tenancy. Landlords are now required to provide tenants with either temporary housing or rent-gap compensation during renovations. If tenants choose not to return, they must receive severance compensation equal to three months of rent-gap payments, plus a one-time moving allowance of $1,500–$2,500 depending on unit size.

Mayor Olivia Chow hailed the bylaw as a “new day for Toronto tenants,” emphasizing that it brings fairness and accountability to a rental market plagued by rising costs and housing insecurity. Advocacy groups like ACORN and the Federation of Metro Tenants’ Associations have praised the move, calling it a victory for tenant rights and housing stability. The city has also launched an online public registry where tenants can verify whether their landlord has obtained the required licence. Violations of the bylaw could result in fines of up to $100,000.

With average rents in Toronto having surged over the past decade, supporters of the bylaw see it as a good step toward preserving affordable housing and ensuring tenants aren’t displaced unfairly.

QuadReal boosts U.K. student housing holdings

QuadReal Property Group has expended more than ₤500 million (CAD $915 million) to acquire eight purpose-built student apartment buildings in the United Kingdom. The resulting addition of 3,460 beds will significantly boost the company’s existing 1,000-bed complement of student housing holdings in the U.K., as it continues to pad the residential quotient of its global portfolio.

“This transaction is fully aligned with our fundamentals-driven residential strategy in Europe, and student accommodation is a crucial sector for us,” says Kristian Branum-Burns, QuadReal’s senior vice president, international real estate, in Europe.

The buildings were acquired from funds and entities under Apollo asset management’s stewardship; were all built toward the end of last decade; and boast high-end specifications and amenities such as gyms, co-working spaces, audio-visual rooms and event space. They are located near some of the most prestigious universities throughout the U.K. and serve what QuadReal describes as a “structurally undersupplied” market niche.

That’s projected to fall about 840,000 units short of nationwide student demand by 2027. The U.K. already has Europe’s largest student population and captures a greater share of foreign students than its peer European nations, while the overall number of fulltime students has been rising.

“We have been actively looking to grow our purpose-built student accommodations exposure in the U.K. and this is an opportunity to expand our student housing platform,” says Jay Kwan, QuadReal’s managing director in Europe.

Globally, QuadReal holds 28,000 student beds, predominantly in North America and Australia, and 65,000 residential units.

Building construction costs continue to rise

In the second quarter of 2025, Canada saw continued increases in building construction costs in both residential and non-residential sectors, according to Statistics Canada.

Residential building construction costs increased 1.0 per cent in the second quarter, following a 0.9 per cent increase in the previous quarter. Non-residential building construction costs rose 1.6 per cent in the second quarter, following a 1.0 per cent increase in the previous quarter.

These increases are fueled by factors like skilled labour shortages, rising wage rates, and the impact of tariffs on building materials.

The ongoing tariff dispute between Canada and the United States has increased volatility in both pricing and availability of certain materials.

Builders reported that uncertainty surrounding tariffs and tariff countermeasures continued to create challenges in securing contracts and has contributed to delays in project starts. At the same time, persistent skilled labour shortages continued to push labour rates higher in several regions across the country. As building activity remained modest in many regions of the country in the second quarter and project starts were delayed, competition for available work intensified in some areas, putting pressure on margins.

Price increases at the component level were partly influenced by rising construction material costs, including some affected by tariffs and associated countermeasures. However, subdued construction activity in major regions like Toronto and Vancouver offset upward pressure at the aggregate level.

The plumbing division saw the largest increase in costs, followed by HVAC, utilities, and structural steel framing.

The cost of plumbing materials increased by 3.7 per cent in Q2 2025, with HVAC supplies increasing in price by 3 per cent. Structural steel framing saw a 2.7 per cent increase.

Construction costs for residential buildings rose 4.2 per cent year-over-year, while non-residential building construction costs increased by 4.3 per cent.

Green Seal redefines sustainability leadership for sanitary paper products

Global non-profit Green Seal®, a top certifier of eco-friendly towel and tissue products, has announced a new leadership standard for sanitary paper products that contain no virgin tree fibre and meet meaningful manufacturing and packaging sustainability requirements.

As a longtime leader in certifying 100 per cent recycled fibre products, the organization’s new standard now also includes a certification pathway for tree-free alternatives, expanding opportunities for brands that produce responsibly sourced bamboo sanitary paper to verify their sustainability leadership.

The standard defines sustainability leadership in this product category as meeting the following criteria:

Responsible sourcing: Made from 100 per cent recycled content or responsibly sourced alternative fibres that achieve substantial savings in carbon emissions and protect ancient and endangered forests.

Safer chemicals: Uses chlorine-free bleaching (for recycled products) or elemental chlorine-free bleaching (for alternative fibre products) and is made without fragrances, PFAS, and other harmful chemicals.

Low-impact manufacturing: Manufactured with reduced water and energy use at a facility with a commitment to reducing greenhouse gas emissions. The manufacturer provides a safe and hygienic workplace, fair wages and working conditions and ensures freedom from discrimination and harassment.

Sustainable packaging: Uses recyclable or minimized packaging.

Americans consume an average total of 19.2 billion pounds a year of sanitary paper products such as toilet paper, paper towels, and facial tissue. The fibre composition of these products has a significant impact on their overall environmental footprint. For example, products made from virgin fibre can generate three times as many CO2 emissions as products made from other types of pulp.

By meeting stringent fibre sourcing and manufacturing criteria, Green Seal-certified recycled sanitary paper products saved 8.5 million metric tons of CO2 emissions in 2024, which is the equivalent of taking two million cars off the road.

“Buyers trust Green Seal-certified sanitary paper products because they significantly reduce carbon emissions, protect ancient and endangered forests, and preserve water resources,” said Doug Gatlin, CEO of Green Seal. “Our new standard maintains this high leadership bar while growing market impact by inviting a broader group of manufacturers to verify their sustainability achievement.”

Green Seal developed its new standard in collaboration with the leading towel and tissue brands, purchasers, and policy advocates in its Working Group to promote industry alignment on meaningful claims and criteria for this product category.

“We’re thrilled that Green Seal has created a certification pathway for responsibly sourced bamboo and other alternative fibres,” said Ryan Fritsch, co-founder of Save Trees (formerly Cloud Paper) and a member of Green Seal’s Sanitary Paper Working Group. “This is a major step forward for sustainability in the paper industry. Bamboo is a rapidly renewable resource that offers a powerful solution for reducing deforestation and protecting our old-growth forests. With this new standard, bamboo products can finally stand alongside recycled paper under one of the most trusted ecolabels in the market. We’re excited to pursue Green Seal certification for our products and introduce a new option for both commercial and household customers seeking high-performance paper with verified environmental benefits.”

“We were excited to be part of Green Seal’s Working Group and help shape a standard that raises the bar for what truly sustainable paper products should look like,” said Lyndsey Childs, U.S. sourcing & production director at Who Gives A Crap. “Collaborating with others in the industry gave us a chance to contribute to criteria that are both rigorous and impactful, especially for tree-free products like ours. We’re already following these practices and hope this encourages more businesses to do the same, for the benefit of people and the planet.”

Sanitary paper products certified to Green Seal’s standard meet the environmentally preferable purchasing requirements of a host of states, local governments, K-12 schools, colleges, corporations, hospitality properties, and the federal government. Additionally, products certified to the standard qualify for points in the LEED® v5 green building standard and qualify for Amazon’s Climate Pledge Friendly program.

Learn more about Green Seal’s sanitary paper product standard here.

GTA new home market “deeply challenged”

A downturn continues as new home sales in the Greater Toronto Area (GTA) remained extremely low in June. The Building Industry and Land Development Association (BILD) said condominium apartments, including units in low, medium and high-rise buildings, accounted for 217 units sold last month, down 67 per cent from June 2024 and 89 per cent below the 10-year average, according to Altus Group.

There were 293 single-family home sales in the GTA, down 53 per cent from June 2024 and 62 per cent below the 10-year average. Single-family homes include detached, linked and semi-detached houses and townhouses (excluding stacked townhouses).

Overall, the new home market had 510 sales in total last month, which was down 60 per cent from June 2024 and 82 per cent also below the 10-year average. Historically, new home sales for a typical June in the GTA would be 2,801 units based on the previous 10-year average.

“Consumers are lacking the confidence to enter into one of their largest purchases as the economic uncertainty centered largely on U.S. tariff policies weighs heavily on potential homebuyers,” said Edward Jegg, research manager at Altus Group.

Total new home remaining inventory in the GTA increased slightly compared to the previous month, to 22,254 units, which includes16,696 condominium apartment units and 5,558 single-family dwellings. This represents a combined inventory level of 19 months, based on average sales for the last 12 months – which is the highest inventory level seen to date.

“The new home market in the GTA remains deeply challenged and June’s sales and inventory numbers show that it is essentially bumping along at rock bottom,” said Dave Wilkes, BILD’s president and CEO. “This is not a healthy or sustainable environment.

“The ongoing ‘cost to build’ crisis is prolonging the downturn and stalling recovery. To revitalize the market – a sector that is critical to Canada’s economic health – we need bold, immediate action from all levels of government. That includes measures like significant GST relief and broadening the work we have seen on DC reductions so far. Without urgent intervention, the future housing supply and economic wellbeing of the GTA is at serious risk.”

The benchmark price for new condominium apartments in June in the GTA was $1,028,527, which shows no material change over the last 12 months. The benchmark price for new single-family homes was $1,510,126, which was down 6.4 per cent over the last 12 months.

BILD and Altus Group are also reporting on sales in Simcoe County where there were 45 single-family new home sales in June with the weighted average price at $1,106,054. Condominium apartments accounted for eight units sold, with the average price at $836,495.

National monument to give form to Action #81

The future Indian Residential Schools National Monument (First Nations, Métis and Inuit) is moving into the design selection stage after three years of collaborative work to define objectives and choose a site. The National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation and Canadian government are now seeking new steering committee members to guide the next steps, which will also include the development of outreach materials and on-site programming.

“Survivors and intergenerational survivors hold the truths that this country must never forget. Their voices are essential in shaping this monument — not just as a place of remembrance, but as a living testament to strength, resistance and the ongoing journey of healing,” says Stephanie Scott, executive director of the National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation.

First Nations, Métis or Inuit attendees of residential schools, or their children, are invited to apply by Sept. 9, 2025. The new steering committee will have a two-year mandate, and will continue to build on the foundation that the predecessor, inaugural steering committee forged for the monument.

This will give form to the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s recommended Action #81, which called on the Canadian government to commission and install a highly visible monument in Ottawa, to be conceived in collaboration with residential school survivors, their organizations and other stakeholders. It will formally be known as the Indian Residential Schools National Monument (First Nations, Métis and Inuit) to preserve the historical truth of how “Indian” was understood and perceived within Canadian legislation and society, and is intended to:

educate about Canadian government and church-led efforts to erase Indigenous culture;
honour the children who died, often without notice given to their families, while sequestered in residential schools;
provide spaces for reflection, gatherings and ceremony; and
celebrate the cultures, strengths and resilience of First Nations, Métis and Inuit peoples, and their contributions to Canada.

The monument will be located on the ancestral lands of the Algonquin Anishinabeg Nation on the west terrace of Parliament Hill. The site was chosen with consensus from the Algonquin Anishinabeg Nation, whose Elders bestowed a blessing in a special ceremony.

“The Indian Residential Schools National Monument (First Nations, Métis and Inuit) is a response to a profound truth in our shared history, one that calls for remembrance, accountability and healing,” affirms Steven Guilbeault, Canada’s Minister of Canadian Identity, Culture and Official Languages.

Emergency training facility in London moves forward with site approval

A modernized training facility in London, Ontario, is being developed through a multi-phase project that will help police officers, firefighters and emergency management teams better respond to evolving challenges.

The London Emergency Services Campus will rise over the duration of several years at 3243 Manning Drive. As a joint project between the City of London, London Fire Department and London Police Service, it will support the operational and training needs of first responders, improve regional emergency preparedness and create new spaces for public safety education.

The specific timing of each phase will depend on available funding, design considerations, and collaboration with other levels of government, but the most urgent needs take priority.

Over the next two years, work will begin on a new fire station, the main training building, specialized areas for a provincial HAZMAT response unit, a clean-burn training tower and K9 areas, scenario simulation and indoor and outdoor firing ranges

Following that, plans for 2028 to 2031 include a hands-on public fire safety village for community members of all ages, a fire mechanical bay, fleet and property storage, and a driving track.

“This campus addresses a critical infrastructure gap in firefighter training,” said Chief Lori Hamer of the London Fire Department. “It ensures we can meet and maintain the skillsets for provincial certification requirements, support regional departments and provide safe, effective training environments for our crews.”

Chief Thai Truong of London Police Service also chimed in. “It means purpose-built training facilities, modern scenario simulations and the space we need to prepare our members for the complexities of today’s policing and the evolving demands of tomorrow.”

City staff will now begin finalizing the land use designation for public use, advancing preliminary design work and completing servicing assessments.

IDS Vancouver

Our Latest Issue