Regulations
Accessible public bathrooms show bad form
Low-cost investments and practical adjustments to the configuration of fixtures could improve safety, convenience and assurance for people with disabilities.
New oversight regime set for Ontario elevators
A new oversight regime for Ontario’s elevators and escalators will come into force on March 1, bringing shorter timelines for rectifying an extensive list of designated high-risk deficiencies.
A path to barrier-free buildings: Facility assessments and strategic accessibility plans
A pressing issue facing facility managers is the crucial impact that barrier-free accessibility can have on a strategic renewal plan.
CDM program hiccups logged in Ontario review
The COVID-19 pandemic and supply chain disruptions are frequently cited, but not the only reasons for uneven uptake of Ontario’s energy retrofit and performance incentives over the past two years.
Ottawa commercial landlords bid welcome
Mona Fortier, President of the Treasury Board of Canada, confirms that public service employees will be expected to spend 40 to 60 per cent of their working hours in a formal office setting.
Innovations in health care monitoring technology
There are so many innovative ways to use surveillance technology and equipment beyond traditional security.
Minding mould in LTC and hospitals
Air exchanges and mechanical systems that were sufficient when buildings were constructed may be considered undersized today, allowing fertile ground for mould growth.
The new employee monitoring policy
While the deadline to prepare the policy was October 11, 2022, it is better late than never to get an electronic monitoring policy in place.
A recap of IFMA’s World Workplace
In the past, cleaning suppliers, landscapers, and pest control companies dominated FM shows. Not anymore.
FMs: From backroom professional to essential team member
As pandemic protocols begin to wane, FMs must continue to shine and maintain the profile they earned and the renewed relationships built and established throughout the past two-plus years.
Psychological ergonomics in the workplace
Jobs with high cognitive demand and/or psychological stress have also been linked to increased incidents of musculoskeletal disorders.
Ontario boosts energy efficiency spending
The Ontario government has pledged $342 million in additional energy efficiency spending to be rolled out between the spring of 2023 and the end of 2024.
Fossil-fuel-fired power plants placed on notice
Utilities and other entities selling power into public transmission and distribution networks have about 12 years to cut the greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from their production processes down to near-zero levels.
Fuel-switching challenges expected to ease
Climate, cost and capacity pose fuel-switching challenges for building owners looking to curb greenhouse gas emissions in line with Canada’s target for a 40 per cent reduction below 2005 levels by 2030.
Hybrid workplaces give rise to legal dilemmas
Organizations are kickstarting work models that reflect flexible preferences, but along with this culture shift comes new legal considerations and best practices for equitable treatment.
Flammable refrigerants spark GHG reductions
Researchers and manufacturers have now done much of the work to prepare for the HFC phase-down, but codes and standards will need to catch up before a new generation of lower-GWP refrigerants can be used.
Tapping into the disability purchasing market
Canadians with disabilities make up the largest potential market of consumers, clients, employees and homeowners, with an annual buying power of $25 billion.