Member News

• Aspen Properties was profiled by Edmonton CREW, which said “exciting upgrades” are coming to the MNP Tower this year, along with exterior renovations at The Annex.
• Avison Young, which said Edmonton’s average downtown office vacancy rate was 20.5% as of June 30, believes conversion developers will consider downtown Edmonton with interest as attractively priced properties become available. The 10-storey Compass Place has been listed for sale for $6.5 million.
• The Edmonton Downtown Business Association has launched a pilot project called Night Patrol, which began in January. The program deploys two teams of security guards from Backwoods Security, which is owned by Alexis Nakota Sioux Nation, and peer support workers from Hiregood, a social enterprise run by Boyle Street Community Services. The teams patrol downtown every day from 12:30am to 8:30am to try to prevent break-ins and vandalism, connect people to resources, and de-escalate dangerous situations, calling law enforcement if appropriate.
• A report by CBRE shows Edmonton has the lowest rent per square foot in the neighbourhood shopping centre retail market compared to other major markets across Canada. The report also stated the retail landscape in Canada, including Edmonton, remains stable despite the rise of online shopping.
• CBRE regional managing director Greg Kwong spoke to CBC News about the difference between commercial and residential leases, and said relocation clauses are fairly standard for commercial leases in shopping centres such as West Edmonton Mall. “It’s to give the landlord a right to make sure that the mall is fairly full, which ultimately is in the best interest of all the tenants,” he said.
• The City of Edmonton is proposing a new standard to control urban sprawl and manage the city’s growth. According to a report, the substantial completion standard would require developing areas to meet a minimum threshold for certain amenities, such as stores, parks, schools, and recreation centres, before approving new developments in other areas.
• Associated Engineering and the City of Edmonton have been recognized in the FIDIC Project Awards 2023, for Phase 1 of the Blatchford Neighbourhood District Energy System.
• EPCOR plans to start building a concrete wall and berms around parts of its water treatment plants at Rossdale and E.L. Smith to help protect the region’s water supply. “Climate change modelling has shown that the risk of more extreme weather is increasing in the future, and that includes extreme floods,” said Audrey Cudrak, EPCOR’s director of Edmonton’s water treatment plants.
• The Fort McMurray Airport has been named Canada’s third most relaxing airport in a study conducted by Canada Casino. “Despite its humble dimensions, the airport offers massage chairs to its customers and five restaurants.”
• The Fort McMurray Airport Authority has launched a new volunteer program to help passengers with directions, flight information, and general questions. In exchange, volunteers receive their own parking space, free admission to special events, discounts, and a t-shirt. “The YMM Volunteer Program is part of our ongoing commitment to offer the best passenger experience possible,” said president and CEO Denean Robinson.

• According to a recent report from JLL, Edmonton’s industrial vacancy rate rose slightly to 3.3% in Q2, slowly moving toward a more balanced market between landlords and tenants.
• The JW Marriott Edmonton ICE District has been named Alberta’s leading business hotel at the 2023 World Travel Awards.
• LD Filtration celebrated its 30th anniversary this year. The August issue of Business in Edmonton Magazine highlighted the company’s milestones over the past three decades.
• Reducing crime requires immediate investment in social services and a reevaluation of how we approach the issue, said Dan Jones, chair of justice studies at NorQuest College. Jones, who is a retired police officer, said the Edmonton Police Service is struggling to retain officers, and their mental health is suffering. “The police services are dealing with the acute and that’s all they can deal with right now,” Jones said.
• Jarret Young, operations manager with ONE Properties, was featured in Pembina Institute’s Guide to Installing EV Infrastructure in Alberta’s Multi-Unit Residential Buildings. Young provides technical direction and oversight for the installation of EV chargers across ONE Properties’ Alberta portfolio.
• Edify took a look at the growth of amenity-stacked rentals in Edmonton, such as Southpark on Whyte Avenue and Citizen on Jasper, both managed by ONE Properties. “These are folks with good incomes who are getting on with their careers,” ONE’s Tom Burr said of his company’s tenants. “But they are choosing to live in rental housing as opposed to owning.”
• The University of Alberta received its best showing in the 20-year history of the Academic Ranking of World Universities, this year placing 91st in the world and fourth in Canada. The position is “a reflection of the outstanding research and teaching happening at the U of A,” said university president Bill Flanagan. More than 2,500 post-secondary institutions across the world were evaluated as part of the rankings.
• Paradox Museum, an experience-based museum, will launch an 11,000-square-foot space in West Edmonton Mall in 2024. The museum’s co-founder said the experiences are based on paradoxes or illusions, and visitors can immerse themselves in the exhibits.
• The 170 Street pedestrian bridge connecting the Misericordia Hospital and surrounding neighbourhoods with West Edmonton Mall and the adjoining WEM transit centre opened on Sept. 1. The bridge, located between 87 Avenue and 90 Avenue, features a shared pathway for pedestrians, cyclists, and other active transportation users. The City of Edmonton and WEM shared the $10.4-million cost of the bridge.

• The Faces of Wellness program from Alberta Blue Cross is looking for Albertans who are champions for wellness in their own life, workplace, or community. The deadline to apply is Oct. 1.
• The Alberta Investment Management Corporation reported a net investment return of 4.5% for the six-month period ending June 30. Chief investment officer Marlene Puffer spoke to The Globe and Mail about AIMCo’s mid-year and long-term investment performance.
• Alberta Municipalities said nine positions on its board of directors will be open for election at its annual convention in late September, including president and three vice-presidents.
• Allmar congratulated 41 riders who raised $265,000 for the Ride Through the Rockies bike event in support of Habitat for Humanity in Southern Alberta.
• Aspen Properties announced it is partnering with I Can for Kids, a non-profit working to fight food insecurity.
• Bee-Clean Building Maintenance expressed gratitude to partners at the Bent Arrow Traditional Healing Society, BGCBigs of Edmonton and Area, and the Edmonton Stingers for a great basketball season.
• Canadian Western Bank said its Q3 2023 financial results reflect increased net income and “prudent expense management.” President and CEO Chris Fowler said CWB expects continued revenue growth in the fourth quarter.
• Cine Audio Visual completed another project at the University of Alberta School of Business. The new space gives students and faculty access to projects and screens and makes it easier to learn, meet, and collaborate.
• Citron Hygiene announced a partnership with the Native Women’s Association of Canada to donate Aunt Flow products to Indigenous communities across Canada.
• The City of Edmonton has announced the $5 million Edmonton Edge Fund, which will provide funding to innovators and entrepreneurs through two grant streams. The program seeks to introduce a new pool of non-repayable capital funding to help attract and retain businesses and create jobs and investment opportunities. Expressions of interest for the fund close Sept. 18.
• The City of St. Albert is hosting Electric Vehicle Day on Sept. 9 at the parking lot in front of St. Albert Place. The city, the Municipal Climate Change Action Centre, and the Electric Vehicle Association of Alberta will be sharing information about EVs and charging stations. Attendees will be able to see several EVs on site and talk to drivers about their experiences.
• Civida has begun pre-leasing for Phase 2 of its Lendrum suites in southwest Edmonton. The suites will be ready in November.
• Civida has named the recipients of the 2023 Stars Awards, which recognize “young people’s achievements, contributions, and positive impact in our communities.”
• Cushman & Wakefield Edmonton published a video featuring Adrian Ambrozuk, investment sales associate partner, discussing the importance of land sales in Edmonton’s commercial real estate investment market. In another video, Jeff Drouin Deslauriers, industrial sales and leasing associate, reviews current lease rates for Edmonton’s industrial market.
• The Edmonton International Airport formalized a partnership with Edmonton Destination Marketing Hotels that focuses on attracting new and existing airlines, increasing seat capacity, and developing new routes to Edmonton.
• The Edmonton International Airport has installed 16 outdoor fast-charging electric vehicle ports for Air Canada’s ground support equipment, part of the airport’s commitment to achieving net-zero by 2040.
• The Edmonton Police Service‘ School Resource Officer Program collaborated with the Edmonton Police Foundation and West Edmonton Mall on the Operation Ready Set School event. The campaign gave 25 students the chance to gather school supplies while having a fun day with EPS officers.
• Field Law said its Community Fund Program is returning for a tenth year, with $75,000 in funding available across Alberta and the NWT. The program has donated more than $760,000 over the past decade across 128 projects. Applications for this year open Sept. 5.
• KV Capital team members partnered with Ronald McDonald House Charities to participate in the Home for Dinner program, which involved cooking and serving brunch for families at Edmonton House.
• LRI Engineering has achieved Level 4 CAN/ULC-S1001 certification for its Integrated Fire Protection and Life Safety Systems, demonstrating its commitment to top-tier safety measures.
• MBC Group CEO Ross Huartt recently appeared on The Business Development Podcast to share his expertise in entrepreneurship, sustainability, and client-centric solutions. The experience inspired MBC Group to launch its own podcast, with more details forthcoming.
• McCOR Management general manager Robin Hardman has been appointed vice-president of the REIC National Board of Directors for the 2023-2024 term.

• Melcor Developments reported slightly decreased revenue in the second quarter, due to “the cyclical nature of the real estate industry.” CEO Timothy Melton said the company “has the potential to bring on several new phases of development over the next few quarters.”
• MNP wrote about the intersection of risk and EDI. “A strong EDI strategy is more important than ever for Canadian business. But there are risks associated with getting it wrong.”
• ONE Properties is teaming up with local social media influencer Filip Nowak to document a 24-hour stay at the Citizen on Jasper residence in downtown Edmonton. “By incorporating the social media influencer element into our marketing program, we’re connecting with our audience in a more relatable and personal way,” the company said.
• ONE Properties shared a tour of the MicroHabitat urban farm that has been installed on the fourth-floor rooftop of the Edmonton Tower. Tenants have already enjoyed leafy greens, cherry tomatoes, radishes, turnips, herbs, and more harvested from the farm.
• PCL Construction ranked 12th on Solar Power World’s list of contractors performing engineering, procurement, and construction work. PCL is the EPC for more than 60 utility-scale solar facilities in the U.S., Canada, and Australia.
• PCL Construction published a post on the science behind the City of Edmonton’s new Windermere Fire Station 31, which was built with sustainability and climate resilience in mind. The fire station uses geothermal and solar energy and a state-of-the-art building envelope to produce as much energy as it consumes.
• Pinchin shared a project spotlight on the Blatchford District Energy Sharing System. “Our comprehensive assistance includes conceptual design and feasibility assessment, business case assessment, energy utility bylaw, regulations, and rate development, detailed engineering design and construction administration, and more,” it said.
• ProCura Real Estate Services shared a before and after of Century Gardens in Century Park. “We opened our doors to our brand new residents…and we couldn’t be more excited.”
• QuadReal Property Group launched an internal campaign to inspire staff across departments and regions to volunteer. QuadReal volunteers recently took part in the Edmonton Downtown Cleanup project and removed litter from around Commerce Place.
• Adrianne Thomson of Riddell Kurczaba Architecture Engineering Interior Design will be speaking at BUILDEX Alberta 2023 on Oct. 18 and 19 in Calgary.
• Rohit Group of Companies founder and CEO Radhe Gupta has received a certificate of recognition from the Indo Canada Chamber of Commerce.
• The Safety Codes Council has appointed Rob Bennett as its new president and CEO effective Aug. 14.
• Seagate Contract Management announced the completion of the Maya Dental Clinic, which uses sleek and modern design elements to create a comfortable and welcoming space for patients.
• Seasonal Impact has been named a winner of the Avetta 2023 Supplier Award. “Avetta values a safer, more sustainable work environment, and as their customer, we do, too.”
• Servus Credit Union has launched a website called Greater Together to provide more information about its proposed merger with connectFirst Credit Union. Special general meetings will be held by Servus and connectFirst on Sept. 19 and 20, respectively.
• Spartan Controls reflected on its journey since being founded in 1970. “Looking back, we can’t help but be proud of the remarkable strides we’ve taken since those early days,” the company said.
• Stantec reported net revenues of $1.3 billion in Q2, representing a year-over-year increase of 14.5%.
• Strathcona County Coun. Katie Berghofer wrote an op-ed about the maintenance and monitoring of stormwater management facilities in Sherwood Park and how integral the work is for fire safety and water quality.
• Synergy Group of Companies has wrapped up construction of the new Alberta ENT office and retail location for Beljan Development at 111 Street and 102 Avenue. “We’re thrilled to have played a role in helping bring this modern new medical and retail space to life, and look forward to seeing the positive health outcomes it supports in our Edmonton community!”
• Witten LLP announced that Best Lawyers has recognized partner Ronald A. Sorokin as the 2024 “Lawyer of the Year” for the Commercial Leasing Law in the Edmonton Area.

WCB Alberta said that more than 10,000 Certificate of Recognition (COR) holders in Alberta shared over $78 million in Partnerships in Injury Reduction (PIR) rebates for their 2022 performance. All employers can participate in the program and be eligible for refunds up to 20% by maintaining a COR, which is a part of WCB’s PIR program.

• Altus Group said in its Q2 2023 financial results that analytics recurring new bookings increased sequentially and year-over-year.
• According to Colliers International‘s recent Canadian Retail Outlook, “retail rents reached record highs for most enclosed centres” in the first quarter of 2023, while “vacancy rates dropped nationwide.”
• Morguard Investments has released its 2023 Canadian Economic Outlook & Market Fundamentals Second Quarter Update. The update reveals steady growth in the multi-suite residential sector, surging investment property sales, and a muted office leasing market.

• Calgary’s Prostate Cancer Centre is expanding to enhance its services across Alberta. Remington Development is supplying the construction crew, Riddell Kurczaba Architecture Engineering Interior Design provided the design, and RGO Office Furnishings has offered generous support for the project.
• Securiguard Services is partnering with Bears’ Lair Television for another season. As a sponsor, Securiguard will support 18 Indigenous entrepreneurs in their chance to compete for $100,000 in prize money. President and CEO Robin Chakrabarti will also serve as a guest judge.

• Two Edmonton-based programs will receive federal money as part of a $20-million announcement to address harms related to substance use. An Alberta Health Services program to reduce long-term opioid use in surgical patients will get $1.1 million over 11 months, and Boyle Street Community Services will receive just over $460,000 for its managed alcohol program.
• Former Alberta MLA Donna Kennedy-Glans produced a conversation series for the National Post that featured Bob Dhillon, founder and CEO of Mainstreet Equity, who also serves on the board of Alberta Investment Management Corporation, Invest Alberta, and several other organizations.
• Coun. Andrew Knack of Edmonton wants to see privately owned e-scooters allowed on city streets alongside commercial options like those from Bird and Lime. Calgary city council plans to propose a resolution at the upcoming Alberta Municipalities convention to ask the province for amendments to the Traffic Safety Act to regulate private scooter use. Knack said Edmonton council would support the resolution.
• Ryan Jespersen’s Real Talk podcast hosted an Alberta Municipalities discussion panel on June 29. President Cathy Heron and board members Trina Jones and Krista Gardner joined Jespersen in the studio to discuss how their municipalities are approaching community challenges including crime and infrastructure.
• City council and real estate developers are exploring the idea of converting unused downtown offices into residential space, which could address Edmonton’s nearly 25% office vacancy rate, increase the tax base, and make downtown safer. Westcorp is already planning to turn the Milner Building on Jasper Avenue into an apartment complex with more than 200 units, and the nearby Enbridge office tower was slated for conversion into a multi-unit apartment complex after a plan to convert it into hotels was cancelled in 2021. Dave Young, executive vice-president of CBRE, wants Edmonton to incentivize developers to take on conversion projects as has happened in Calgary, where developers get $75 for every square foot of office space converted into residential space. City staff will present council with options for incentives in September.
• Edmonton’s downtown office vacancy rate is continuing to rise along with the rest of Canada. A new report from CBRE notes the rate has increased to 24.1%, compared to the national average of 18.1%.
• A recent CIBC report found that Canada’s skilled trades labour shortage is worsening, with a projected 21% of the labour force expected to retire by 2030. Efforts are being made in Alberta, including a new 15-week Pathway to the Trades program, to encourage more people to pursue careers in the trades and meet the demand in the industry.
• The provincial government said $68 million in funding for innovative housing solutions is now available through the Affordable Housing Partnership Program. Applications will be accepted until Oct. 16. The first round of funding, which closed in January, resulted in $124.7 million in funding for 30 projects, including $14.9 million for Civida‘s Lendrum Redevelopment.
• According to the Colliers Edmonton Office Market Report, the suburban market outperformed the downtown market for the ninth consecutive quarter. There is a vacancy rate of 20.7% downtown, and the average net rent is $17.55 per square foot. The industrial market saw a significant increase in new space in the second quarter, leading to a flight to higher-quality facilities.
• Bridal Fantasy Group CEO Gay Derk shared a look at the state-of-the-art printing facility operated by Cowan Graphics. “Stepping into Cowan Graphics’ facility was an awe-inspiring experience,” Derk wrote.
• The Edmonton International Airport is adding 100 hydrogen fuel cell electric vehicles to its fleet through a partnership with Toyota Canada. The cars will help reduce emissions and kick-start the 5,000 Hydrogen Vehicle Challenge, YEG CEO Myron Keehn said at the July 13 announcement. The airport is partnering with Air Products for an interim mobile hydrogen refuelling station, with plans to build permanent fuelling infrastructure.
• The Edmonton International Airport signed memoranda of understanding with SixRing and FORGE Hydrocarbons to pursue the advancement of sustainable aviation fuel. SixRing is a Calgary company that makes biofuels out of underused biomass, while FORGE is a University of Alberta spinoff that turns waste fats into renewable fuel. Both companies plan to build production facilities. The airport is aiming to be carbon-neutral by 2040.
• Porter Airlines is adding a non-stop route between Edmonton and Ottawa beginning Oct. 4. “This exciting addition to our flight offerings not only strengthens business and government ties between our regions, but also enhances tourism opportunities for travellers seeking a seamless connection to our country’s capital city,” said Myron Keehn, president and CEO of the Edmonton International Airport.
• Flair has launched service between Edmonton and Quebec City, which it says is the first-ever direct flight between the two cities. “Quebec City is a vibrant Canadian destination and we believe this new non-stop route from YEG will open doors for increased tourism and business connections between the two regions,” said Myron Keehn, CEO of the Edmonton International Airport.

• In a mandate letter to Devin Dreeshen, Alberta’s minister of transportation and economic corridors, Premier Danielle Smith has asked for an exploration of “a province-led Metrolinx-like model for commuter rail service using heavy rail” that would initially connect the Edmonton International Airport with downtown, but could eventually be expanded to Calgary. The feasibility study will include the use of hydrogen-powered trains, which Canadian Pacific has been testing in Calgary and Edmonton.
• The Edmonton Police Commission heard on July 20 that the Edmonton Police Service was involved in 18% fewer incidents of chasing suspect vehicles in 2022 than in 2021, and around 18% fewer incidents resulted in an arrest. Chief Dale McFee told reporters that the results point to the success of EPS’s prevention tactics, such as boxing in cars or deflating their tires, and emphasized the importance of the Air One helicopter in tracking vehicles and making arrests. He also said EPS is looking to acquire more drones for use in high-speed chases and asked the province for legislative changes to allow officers to seize vehicles that exceed the speed limit by 50 km/h.
• The Edmonton Police Service and Alberta Motor Association are partnering with Kal Tire on a catalytic converter engraving program. Until Aug. 31, Edmontonians can have their vehicle’s catalytic converter engraved for $40 per vehicle and $20 for additional converters in the same vehicle. Each vehicle will get decals that state the converter is traceable, which police believe will deter thieves. Catalytic converter thefts in Edmonton increased more than 80% between 2020 and 2022.
• According to the latest Consumer Debt Index from MNP, the proportion of Albertans concerned about their ability to pay their debts, especially as interest rates rise, has reached an all-time high. More than half (51%) of Albertans report that they are $200 or less away from being unable to meet all their financial obligations, up from 47% last quarter. Donna Carson, a licensed insolvency trustee for MNP, said Alberta is averaging 1,500 insolvencies a month in 2023.
• Edmonton Unlimited has partnered with MNP to provide accounting expertise to entrepreneurs and innovators in Edmonton.
• The City of St. Albert has installed 18 new electric vehicle charging stations throughout the city, funded mostly by the Municipal Climate Change Action Centre, which is a collaboration between Alberta Municipalities, Rural Municipalities of Alberta, and the provincial government. Another six charging stations are expected to be unveiled alongside the reopening of Fountain Park Pool this summer.
• Pattern Energy has selected Stantec as the owner’s engineer for the SunZia Transmission Project, which is “part of the largest clean energy infrastructure initiative in US history.” The project will deliver 3,000 megawatts of clean renewable energy to communities in Arizona and California.
• Strathcona County council has approved all three readings of a bylaw to create new zoning districts for Bremner, which will allow Qualico Developments West to begin development. A similar bylaw was defeated on third reading in May when a Coun. Lorne Harvey changed his vote, but he flipped back in favour after a packed-to-overflowing public hearing on July 18.
• Strathcona County council has agreed to submit a bid to host the 2026 Alberta Summer Games and to amend the operating budget for 2023 to cover the expected $1.9 million cost. “This is something that I am 100% on,” said Coun. Katie Berghofer, who tabled the motion. Mayor Rod Frank was the lone vote against, citing uncertain costs.
• TC Energy is splitting into two separate companies, with its crude oil pipelines business being spun off. The decision comes after a two-year strategic review and is part of the company’s strategy to pursue faster growth and attract new investors in the natural gas and low-carbon sectors.
• The University of Alberta has launched a new interdisciplinary research centre focused on water-related topics thanks to $1.4 million in seed funding from EPCOR. The new Water Research Centre will be led by director Mohamed Gamal El-Din, a professor in the Faculty of Engineering. “It’s not just about engineering and science. It also includes sociology, rural economy, Indigenous communities, and anything related to water across the entire university to cover a wide variety of water-related problems,” Gamal El-Din said.
• A pilot project at the University of Alberta is growing spinach at EPCOR‘s kīsikāw pīsim solar farm to see whether land used for solar panels can also be used to grow crops, a practice known as agrivoltaics. It’s about “trying to use the space in a more efficient way,” soil scientist Guillermo Hernandez Ramirez told CBC. “We are able to combine the two efforts, the challenge of energy transition and the challenge of food security.”
• West Edmonton Mall has welcomed four new African penguins, which relocated from the Vancouver Aquarium as part of an international breeding program intended to help endangered species. The African penguin has been listed as endangered by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) since 2010. The mall now has 21 in its flock.
• The average duration of claims with the Workers’ Compensation Board of Alberta has risen from 34 days in 2015 to 63 days for the past two years, reports CBC.

• Action Electrical has been selected as the prime contractor for NAIT’s Building S Switchgear Replacement Project, designed by MCW Group of Companies Engineering.
• Alberta Blue Cross said its mascot Big Blue participated in several community events in June, including a school spirit and mascot mania game with the Edmonton Riverhawks, and the Free Play for Kids year-end tournament.
• Alberta Health Services offered tips to stay safe during summer heat, including checking air quality, humidity, and heat warnings before going outside. AHS also advises staying cool by using air conditioning, seeking shade, and staying hydrated.
• Alberta Health Services offered suggestions on protecting against West Nile virus, including wearing long-sleeved, light-coloured clothing; using Health Canada-approved insect repellent; and staying indoors during peak mosquito activity.
• Alberta Health Services said the Alberta Hospital Edmonton is celebrating its 100th anniversary this year. Originally opened in 1923, the facility has evolved from offering surgical and obstetrics services to becoming a renowned psychiatric facility.
• Alberta Investment Management Corporation shared a video of a site visit to the Cando Rail & Terminals operation near Edmonton, which it acquired last year.
• Alberta Municipalities is inviting qualified candidates to join its board of directors. The election will take place at its annual general meeting in September.
• Avison Young shared its Q2 2023 Edmonton office market report, noting the office market has seen negative absorption for four consecutive quarters due to increased space in the financial district.
• Ayre & Oxford thanked BOMA Edmonton for hosting and Skys The Limit Window Cleaning for sponsoring the private event at Taste of Edmonton.
• Bartle & Gibson Co. employees volunteered at Edmonton’s Food Bank as part of the organization’s GIVEBACK Day.
• Bee-Clean Building Maintenance helped host #MondayMorningMagic at K-Days, an opportunity for special needs children and their families to enjoy rides, games, and shows without the crowds or noise.
• Bee-Clean Building Maintenance has sponsored the Bee-Clean Learning Hive at the Explore Edmonton Urban Farm. “The farm hosts 1,200 school children over the spring every year. Now they’ll be able to get an inside look at the workings of a bee hive.”
• Business in Edmonton Magazine published its latest issue.
• Canadian Urban Limited will host its seventh annual charity golf tournament on Aug. 24, once again in support of the Edmonton Community Foundation. Last year’s tournament raised more than $57,000 for ECF.
• Canem Systems and SMP Engineering were among the partners celebrating the certification of Dr. Anne Anderson High School, located in the Heritage Valley area of southwest Edmonton, as LEED Gold.
• The City of St. Albert said the Fountain Park Recreation Centre reopened on July 31, after undergoing major repairs and replacements to address building operating systems. The closure allowed for additional aesthetic improvements and accessibility upgrades, resulting in cost savings and avoiding another closure in 2024.
• The Edmonton Public Library‘s EPL2Go Literacy Van will be at Civida‘s Youngstown location every Tuesday this summer until Aug. 22. Attendees can participate in outdoor library activities, borrow books, listen to stories, and enjoy drop-in activities.
• The Edmonton International Airport and Montana First Nation signed a memorandum of understanding focusing on promoting economic development and supporting reconciliation.
• Edmonton International Airport safety specialist Chelsea Laporte has received the Young Achievers Award from Canadian Occupational Safety.
• The Edmonton Police Service gave two kids from the Kids with Cancer Society a VIP experience as part of the Horsepower for Hope 2023 event.
• Entuitive shared details about the Garth Worthington School it helped deliver in Edmonton, providing both structural and building envelope services, as well as Fire engineering services for the mass timber feature stair made of glue-laminated timber (GLT).
• Entuitive shared details about the Ociciwan Contemporary Art Collective gallery, for which it provided structural engineering services to rehabilitate and rejuvenate the building.

• Field Law shared the first video in its new series called “Community Catalysts,” featuring Kello Inclusive, which used funding from Field Law to provide training opportunities and photoshoots to its talent roster.
• First Capital REIT shared more about the Brewery District, including the history of the old Molson Brewery building that opened in 1913. “It maintains parts of its historical roots while meeting the everyday shopping needs of over 98,000 households of Edmonton’s diverse population.”
• Flynn Group of Companies shared the winners of its annual Don Flynn Safety Awards, recognizing employees who deliver on its safety motto, “At the end of the day, we all go home safe.”
• The Fort McMurray Airport Authority has joined the Hidden Disabilities Sunflower program. Travelers passing through YMM can now obtain free sunflower wristbands, lanyards, and pins, serving as a voluntary indicator that they have a hidden disability or condition and may require assistance or additional time during their journey.
• GWL Realty Advisors recently held its first national sporting equipment drive, called Playing It Forward, and collected and donated more than 4,000 pieces of sports equipment.
• JEN COL Construction has completed the installation of 12 public electric vehicle (EV) charging stations in Spruce Grove at City Hall, the Agrena, and Fuhr Sports Park. The company also installed dedicated charging stations for city fleet vehicles inside the Protective Services and Public Works buildings.
• Mac Skylights thanked the Edmonton Arts Council for the opportunity to retrofit the skylight in the sculpture Lodge, originally created by local artist Clay Ellis.
• A new report from MNP provides insights into the progress and priorities for digitization in municipalities across the country. “Recognizing the shifting landscape of service delivery models, municipalities across Canada must embrace digital transformation to meet the changing needs of citizens, businesses, community stakeholders, and employees,” said Wendy Gnenz, a partner at MNP Digital.
• Nordic Mechanical Services thanked BOMA Edmonton for organizing the softball charity event in support of Little Warriors.
• NorQuest College president and CEO Carolyn Campbell has been named to the board of Colleges and Institutes Canada, Canada’s largest post-secondary network.
• ONE Properties residential mixed-use property Citizen on Jasper was featured in a sponsored post at Curiocity and in the latest issue of Edify Magazine, while its residential retirement development Glenora Park was featured by Postmedia.
• ONE Properties highlighted its partnership with MicroHabitat at Edmonton Tower and Northwest Business Park. “These urban farms have strong community benefits, including localized food production, employee engagement and wellness, and promoting biodiversity.”
• PCL Construction has been recognized as a 2023 Top Solar Contractor by Solar Power World, highlighting its commitment to sustainable practices and expansion in the solar market.
• PCL Construction has been recognized as the only commercial construction company on the 2023 Fortune 100 Best Companies to Work For list, and secured 13th place on Engineering News-Record’s Top 400 Contractors list for 2023.
• ProCura Real Estate Services Limited has partnered with Zipstall to provide convenient casual parking at LouvreYEG in Century Park.
• Seagate Contract Management has completed the 102A Tower Amenities project, which included “an impressive array of amenities designed to elevate the workplace experience.”
• Securiguard Services recognized Rhys Jones, who took quick action during a recent lightning storm in Edmonton, with the National Safety Excellence Recognition Award.
• Servus Credit Union reported record growth in the second quarter of 2023, with $19.1 billion in assets, up $1.2 billion from the same period last year.
• SMP Engineering will begin construction on the Pointe-aux-Pins Acres agricultural facility in Strathcona County this summer.
• West Edmonton Mall said Edmonton’s first Alo Yoga store is now open on Level Two, Phase III.
• Williams Engineering sister company DB Technologies is collaborating with the Edmonton International Airport to improve its building systems, making them more energy efficient and compatible with emerging technologies.

• Canderel Group CEO Brett Miller spoke with Espace Montréal about the company’s unique approach to workplace hospitality, OKKTO, and how it is improving tenant experiences and promoting sustainability in the real estate industry.
• GardaWorld Protective Services has announced the relocation of its Calgary branch to a new office space, making it the third-largest branch in the country. The move brings together the Western Canada Control Centre with the core business units, security services, and security systems, allowing for streamlined operations and a comprehensive suite of security solutions.
• KV Capital announced its third investment in partnership with Anthem Properties, for the Hub Logistics Centre project in Balzac, Alberta.

• The housing crisis is driving mall redevelopments across the country, including projects being undertaken by Oxford Properties, the Alberta Investment Management Corporation, and QuadReal Property Group.
• Paladin Technologies is being acquired by Bosch, which plans to expand its system integration business into the Canadian market.
• QuadReal Property Group is hosting a series of interactive art installations and giveaways at its retail shopping centres across Canada from Aug. 3-7, to show appreciation for visitors’ loyalty to their local retail spaces. That includes Bower Place in Red Deer.

• HSBC Place, owned by Alberta Investment Management Corporation and managed by Epic Investment Services, was recognized at the 2023 Building Owners and Managers Association (BOMA) International TOBY Awards. “Canadian commercial real estate continues to thrive on the international stage,” says Benjamin Shinewald, president and chief executive officer of BOMA Canada.
• Krista Pell, chief human resources office at Alberta Investment Management Corporation, spoke with Benefits Canada about the evolving employee life cycle and autonomous working.
• Alberta Municipalities president Cathy Heron renewed the organization’s calls for more funding and autonomy from the province. “While Albertans have a newly elected provincial government, the challenges facing the communities have not changed,” she said at a press conference, reiterating data from Alberta Municipalities that its members have a $30-billion infrastructure deficit. She said the 2022/23 provincial budget’s investment of $722 million over three years for municipal infrastructure is less than half of what members need.
• Aspen Properties executive chair R. Scott Hutcheson spoke to the Commercial Real Estate Library podcast about how the company, which has 4.25 million square feet of downtown office space and 3,000 parking stalls in Calgary and Edmonton, is navigating today’s market and creating amazing office spaces for tenants.
• Cory Wosnack, Avison Young‘s principal and managing director in Edmonton, said the Edmonton region needs to be ready to entice capital from outside, by showing off the region as an attractive place to invest.
• Officials marked the start of construction on the new $38.6-million Edmonton-Strathcona County Footbridge on June 7. When finished, the footbridge will cross the North Saskatchewan River, connecting 167 Avenue in Edmonton to Township Road 540 in Strathcona County. Construction is expected to be complete in 2025. Half of the funding for the project came from the River Valley Alliance, while the City of Edmonton and Strathcona County are sharing the remaining costs evenly.
• The City of Edmonton provided an update on the Healthy Streets Operations Centre (HSOC), which was soft launched in October 2022 with the aim of reducing social disorder and crime in several core neighbourhoods. The Edmonton Police Service said total crime severity increased slightly from February to March this year, from 77.5 per 100,000 people to 85.8, but reported an overall decline in crime severity since November 2022.

• The Edmonton International Airport will host the SMART Airports and Regions Conference and Exhibition from July 19 to 21. “With an annual economic output of over C$3.2 billion, YEG supports over 26,000 jobs, illustrating the success of YEG’s Airport City Sustainability Campus approach for diversifying the region’s economy, while leading technological innovation and supporting its sustainability pledge to become carbon neutral,” wrote conference chair Chris LeTourneur in a piece for Airport World.
• The Downtown District Energy Initiative was endorsed during council’s executive committee meeting on June 23, giving the green light for EPCOR to design, build, finance, and operate the system. The first phase of the project will connect to three buildings but is expected to expand to about 50 buildings once fully operational. The system is “critical as part of our city’s efforts to be a net-zero community by 2050,” said Mayor Amarjeet Sohi. Executive committee also approved an additional $7.7 million in funding for the system to address the project’s changing scope and inflation. The District Energy Building remains under construction at the Francis Winspear Centre of Music.
• Corporate Knights has recognized Stantec as one of Canada’s Best 50 Corporate Citizens, ranking first in the engineering construction category and fifth overall. This is the 14th time Stantec has been included on the list.
• The University of Alberta ranked 111th in the world and fourth in Canada in the 2024 QS World University Rankings. The institution ranked 68th worldwide in the international research network category, a new measure that looks at the number and diversity of productive research partnerships with other universities around the world.
• West Edmonton Mall is the site of a new concept for Kate Spade, the first in Canada to showcase the New York-inspired design.

Lululemon said it will expand its store at West Edmonton Mall this year to more than 10,500 square feet. The location is said to be the top-selling outlet for the chain, which also announced it will close its store on Whyte Avenue.

• Action Electrical was proud to install eight electric vehicle charging stations in Edmonton and Calgary. All are Level 2 chargers and are available in single and dual mount setups, with installation in both exterior lots and underground parkades.
• Virtual care allows you to connect with physicians and other health care providers online, a great option for anyone who may have a non-emergent health concern, Alberta Blue Cross says.
• Alberta Municipalities is accepting feedback on the future of intermunicipal collaboration until July 14.
• Avison Young said it received “multiple offers” on the first two parcels of the Exhibition Lands by the June 21 deadline for letters of intent. “We have a serious list of proponents,” said principal Reed Newnham.
• Avison Young said Edmonton has emerged as the top city among 51 North American markets in revitalizing its downtown core, attracting visitors back after a challenging period between March 2020 and September 2022.
• Backwoods Energy said attending the 2023 Downtown Safety and Vibrancy Summit co-hosted by BOMA Edmonton and the Downtown Edmonton Business Association was a great opportunity to discuss challenges, collaborate on ventures, and learn about the issues.
• Bee-Clean Building Maintenance said its urban beekeeping initiative is off to a great start, with hives now installed on the rooftops of Edmonton Tower and Commerce Place.
• The Canadian Condominium Institute — North Alberta Chapter warns that over the past four years in Edmonton, nearly 40% of fires have occurred in multi-family buildings, with cigarette and other smoking materials being the main cause.
• Carstar Construction teased a refreshed look in South Edmonton Common.
• The City of Edmonton has won the 2023 Transportation Association of Canada Technical Achievement Award along with its partners Empower Me and the Electric Vehicle Association of Alberta. The award recognizes the Electric and Hydrogen Vehicle Expo held at the Edmonton EXPO Centre, which was a free two-day public event that drew nearly 6,000 people to learn about zero-emission vehicles last September.
• Cushman & Wakefield Edmonton said Park Central Square is an industrial space located in southeast Edmonton with easy access to major transportation routes. The proposed Building 1 offers up to 204,230 square feet of space with dock and grade loading.
• Desco Coatings of Alberta wrote about pigmented textured cementitious polymer overlays with a slip-resistant polyaspartic finish that were installed in a downtown condominium.
• The Edmonton International Airport has received the Richard A Griesbach Award for Excellence in Airport Concessions in North America from Airports Council International. “Being recognized by industry peers and business partners is instrumental in our continued leadership in commercial development.”
• The Edmonton International Airport‘s Mammen Tharakan explained how YEG’s Cargo Village maximizes efficiency, making 2022 a record year for cargo growth despite a global decrease in demand.
• The Edmonton Oilers published a piece touting ICE District’s effect on downtown. “People can now see the broader vision and how we utilize the arena to feed into the other commercial elements of the project. And it has revitalized our downtown,” said Daryl Katz, whose Oilers Entertainment Group owns the team and is the district’s developer.
• The Commercial Vehicle Inspection Unit of the Edmonton Police Service is encouraging Edmontonians to properly inspect tow trailers, trailers, and cargo before driving. Const. James Kendrick emphasized that drivers must check that they have the correct ball, ball mount, receiver, and hitch to hold the trailer, its cargo, and tongue weight. Drivers are also advised to do a walk around of their vehicle and load before driving. EPS has released more information about the topic, including a walk around checklist and safety video.
• Elite Promotional Marketing produced shiny “Talus Balls” jerseys for the Edmonton Riverhawks, which rebranded for one game only to pay homage to “some of the unique Edmonton roots that make our city so especially weird!”

• EPCOR announced it is bringing back its “Glass of the Sask” program this summer, which will be expanded to include additional touchless hydration stations at major festivals and community events.
• First Capital REIT has published its 2022 Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) Report, which highlights its progress against ESG goals and initiatives.
• Gateway Mechanical Services said the 26th annual BOMA Edmonton charity golf classic was a fun-filled day and the team looks forward to next year.
• GWL Realty Advisors is once again working with MicroHabitat to transform its rooftops with fresh herbs and vegetables that will be donated to communities in need.
• KERR Interior Systems received the 2022 Award of Excellence in Renovation Restoration from the Alberta Wall and Ceiling Association for its work on the University of Alberta Dentistry Pharmacy building.
• KV Capital said it was proud to sponsor the Infill Development in Edmonton Association’s 10 Year Anniversary Gala on June 23, and looks forward to “continuing to watch the association flourish in their work of building a brighter city.”
• MNP shared three practical strategies that can help increase profit margins in your business and taking a 360-degree approach to your business’ future.
• NorQuest College is co-hosting the Open Education Global Conference, which will take place from Oct. 16 to 18 at the Edmonton Convention Centre. The conference provides an opportunity for professionals in the education sector to network, learn, and collaborate on open education practices and initiatives. Early bird registration is available until Aug. 15.
• Omada Commercial shared some key takeaways from the UDI State of Growth 2023 Report, including that “Edmonton continues to house the youngest population among major regions in Canada (37.6 years), allowing for sustained growth in the workforce and economy.”
• ProCura Real Estate Services Limited COO Sherry Schluessel took part in the Edmonton CREW Kelowna Retreat. “An incredible experience and event to engage with so many wonderful women leaders in our Edmonton Real Estate community,” she said.
• Servus Credit Union has acquired Stride Capital Corp, a Calgary-based equipment financing and leasing provider.
• SMP Engineering announced that the Windermere Fire Station 31 project, a $21.5-million state-of-the-art net zero energy facility, was showcased in the June edition of AWARD magazine.
• Spartan Controls said it has successfully abated more than 21 megatonnes of CO2 equivalent emissions through its sustainability efforts.
• Stantec has signed an agreement to acquire Environmental Systems Design, a Chicago-based engineering firm that specializes in mission-critical facilities and data centres.
• Synergy Group of Companies attended the grand opening for Grace Village, a new transitional housing and supportive living facility in Edmonton. “This was a meaningful community project for our team, and we were very fortunate to be able to celebrate with project and community members,” the company wrote.
• Synergy Group of Companies said it helped Canada ICI Capital Corporation with its new space inside the Stantec Tower. “Always great to see first-hand the influence our physical workspaces can have on our organizational cultures.”

TC Energy said its employees contributed nearly 3,000 hours of volunteer time in May for Mental Health Awareness Month, and the company matched employee donations to contribute more than $468,500 to 310 non-profit organizations across North America.

• The Alberta Cancer Foundation, Alberta Health Services, and the University of Calgary have received a historic $50 million donation from the Arthur J.E. Child Foundation for the Calgary Cancer Centre. The donation will accelerate research innovations and provide world-leading cancer care when the centre opens in 2024.

• Marlene Puffer, chief investment officer at Alberta Investment Management Corporation, spoke with CNBC Europe about the company’s plans to expand its presence in London, UK.
• GardaWorld Protective Services is collaborating with Microsoft to launch a global communication platform to empower its 120,000 frontline employees around the world to stay informed, engaged, and connected with each other and the company.

• The Edmonton International Airport, Oilers Entertainment Group, and West Edmonton Mall are among the winners of the 2023 Edmonton Tourism Awards.
• Alberta Municipalities is receiving $174,000 as part of a federal investment to support zero-emission vehicle awareness and education. The funds will be used to launch a multifaceted light-duty ZEV awareness and education campaign.
• Representatives from Altus Group, Avison Young, and CBRE Limited spoke about land availability, prices, and uses on a panel at the Land & Development Conference in Toronto. Serviced industrial land values in Calgary, Edmonton, and Halifax cost between $700,000 and $1 million per acre, and that’s at the low end of the scale, the panel said.
• Avison Young has partnered with the City of Edmonton to begin the first phase of the Edmonton Exhibition Lands development, which includes new urban infill residential and transit-oriented multi-use development.
• The Art Gallery of Alberta has partnered with Canadian Western Bank to showcase artists and artisans through the Empowering Arts & Business community market series. “These markets will go a long way toward supporting local artists, furthering their entrepreneurial ambitions and bringing vibrancy to Edmonton’s downtown,” CWB said.
• Canderel Group properties across Canada are receiving a makeover with the company’s new workplace hospitality program called OKKTO. The program offers a variety of amenities to help tenants entice workers back to the office. Stantec Tower in Edmonton is among the larger towers likely to receive the full suite of amenities.
• The City of Edmonton launched a new Affordable Housing Tax Grant, which covers the cost of municipal property taxes for affordable housing units run by non-profit organizations. Council approved a total of $27 million for the grant in the 2023-2026 city budget. “We will reinvest the savings into suite repairs and upgrades, such as flooring, painting, lighting and appliances,” Civida said in response.
• The City of Edmonton, Entuitive, and Williams Engineering are among the partners working on the renovation of Hawrelak Park.
• Cowan Graphics received a shout-out for its work on Inventures 2023, which wrapped up in Calgary on June 2.

• The Edmonton International Airport is one of the airports where the Canadian Air Transport Security Authority (CATSA) is launching a new Verified Traveller by June 21, providing faster security screening for eligible travellers.
• The ICE District will host beach volleyball teams from around the world as they compete in the Beach Pro Tour Challenge from July 20 to 23.
• Nearctic Property Group has launched the Nearctic Industrial Real Estate Investment Trust (NI REIT) to invest in multi-tenant industrial properties across Canada with hopes to expand its seed portfolio into $1 billion in assets in 10 years. NI REIT’s initial portfolio includes three properties, two of which — Vantage Business Park and Commerce West Business Park — are located in Edmonton.
• Qualico expressed concerns about a change of heart on Strathcona County council that has delayed construction of the Bremner neighbourhood in Sherwood Park. Coun. Lorne Harvey changed his vote between the second and third readings of the bylaws that would have allowed construction to start, putting the project back at least a year. The development is intended to house employees working in Alberta’s Industrial Heartland, and is also the site of what could be Canada’s first hydrogen-heated community.
• A new report by RE/MAX found that Edmonton’s commercial real estate market experienced one of its strongest first quarters in 2023, a trend led by out-of-province investment in the industrial sector. Scott Hughes, owner of RE/MAX Commercial Capital, said increased interest in the Edmonton region is a sign that financial challenges brought on by the pandemic are improving.
• Several Edmonton-based companies were named to the 2023 list of Canada’s Best Managed Companies, including Servus Credit Union for the 20th consecutive year.
• The University of Alberta placed seventh worldwide and second in Canada on the latest Times Higher Education (THE) Impact Rankings, which assess universities against UN Sustainable Development Goals. Last year, the university placed 11th internationally and third nationally.
• WCB Alberta said any worker injured during a wildfire evacuation may be eligible for workers’ compensation benefits if the injury is determined to be work-related. “If you’re not sure if an injury is work-related, call us or submit a claim and we’ll take a look,” it said.
• Toys”R”Us Canada plans to open two new Babies”R”Us stores in the former locations of buybuy Baby at South Edmonton Common and West Edmonton Mall.

• Alberta Blue Cross is bringing back its Built Together grant program for 2023, the 10th anniversary. This year five grants of $50,000 each will be available for healthy living infrastructure projects across Alberta.
• Alberta Blue Cross has launched a new Community Wellbeing grant program and is awarding 75 exceptional volunteers and the organizations they work with a $1,000 grant. The program is accepting nominations until June 30.
• Alberta Health Services invited Albertans to pay tribute to the province’s 4,000+ paramedics during Paramedic Services Week, which ran from May 21 to 27. A website called Thank a Paramedic was set up to collect thank-you notes, and AHS also hosted an interactive training day with students in Edmonton.
• The Alberta Investment Management Corporation (AIMCo) has named Kevin Bong as its senior managing director overseeing investment strategy in the Asia-Pacific region. He previously worked for the Government of Singapore Investment Corporation.
• Alberta Municipalities wrapped up the Think Alberta, Vote Local campaign with a session on May 23 focused on healthcare. Recordings of all three events — on infrastructure, safety, and healthcare — are available online.
• Aspen Properties noted that tenants in the Bell Tower, MNP Tower, and Annex properties have free access to lunchtime fitness classes as part of the Aspen Club amenity package.
• Canderel Group has been awarded the Silver Recognition in the landlord category as a 2023 Green Lease Leader by the Institute for Market Transformation (IMT) and Better Buildings.
• The City of Edmonton launched a new interactive dashboard that provides detailed data to businesses and residents about Edmonton’s 13 Business Improvement Areas (BIAs). The dashboard was developed in response to public engagement with BIAs last year and replaces the static Economic Indicator Reports. According to a release, the dashboard enhances the previous information by including additional census data and allowing some data to be updated more frequently or in real-time.
• The City of Edmonton announced $6.5 million in funding to improve downtown vibrancy and safety through the Downtown Vibrancy Fund and the Meet Me Downtown Grant, both of which are for projects that support the goals of the Downtown Vibrancy Strategy. In 2023, the Downtown Vibrancy Fund will put $5 million toward long-term and strategic projects, and the Meet Me Downtown Grant will put $1.5 million toward events, activities, and festivals. The city also introduced a mascot, a “fun-loving emoji” called Marvin, that will appear on city branding and advertising this summer.
• The City of Edmonton launched its first Edmonton Business Census, which aims to collect data to help inform how the city supports businesses, attracts investments, and improves services. Businesses across Edmonton can participate online by completing a five-minute questionnaire. The city will analyze and publish the results after data collection wraps up in August.
• The City of Edmonton launched the Clean City Initiative, which puts $2.5 million toward the clean-up and “beautification” of downtown and runs until February 2024. The initiative directs resources and staff toward garbage collection, litter pickup, green space maintenance, and cleaning graffiti. An additional 23 parks and road services staff, for a total of 84, have been assigned to core neighbourhoods.
• The City of St. Albert has won the 2023 CAMA Environmental Leadership & Sustainability Award for its development of Grey Nuns White Spruce Park, which was a collaborative effort between the city, the St. Albert-Sturgeon County Métis Local #1904, community members, and contractors.
• Civida has launched its annual Stars Awards presented by the Capital Region Housing Foundation. The awards are open to students in grades 10, 11, and 12 living in Civida housing or whose family receives rent assistance from them.
• Civida has won the Rental Development/Renovation Project of the Year award at the 2023 Alberta Residential Landlord Association (ARLA) Achievement Awards. The award recognizes a company that has developed a new rental housing project or has done substantial renovations, that demonstrates excellence, creativity, and quality.
• Ace Coffee Roasters has opened a kiosk in Manulife Place, offering coffee and doughnuts from 7am to 2pm on weekdays. The development was welcomed by Fahad Shaikh of Colliers International.
• Mark Bowman of Cushman & Wakefield Edmonton spoke about incorporating artificial intelligence language models in commercial real estate.
• Cushman & Wakefield Edmonton‘s Shane Asbell explained how employees returning to the office would improve the state of the downtown core.
• Condor Airlines announced a new non-stop flight from Edmonton International Airport to Frankfurt, which began May 26. The airline will operate the route twice a week with Boeing 767-300 aircraft and offer three classes of service. The new flight improves European access to the region while enhancing commercial and tourism prospects in both markets, said YEG CEO Myron Keehn.
• KLM Royal Dutch Airlines is adding a fourth non-stop flight per week to the Edmonton International Airport. “We extend our heartfelt thanks to KLM for the unforgettable experiences they’ve brought to our city and surrounding communities over the years,” YEG wrote as it marked the fourth anniversary of the inaugural flight between Edmonton and Amsterdam.
• Drone Delivery Canada has secured a three-month extension of its drone delivery services operation at the Edmonton International Airport with the help of its sales agent Air Canada. The company says the project, which began in 2019, demonstrates how drones can reduce ground transportation and road congestion while boosting efficiency and safety.
• Edmonton International Airport and Leduc County broke ground on the Nisku District South Fire Station. The $5.3-million facility will replace the previous station once it opens, which is expected in January 2024.
• Adrian Warchola has been named the director of air service development at the Edmonton International Airport. “I’m excited to collaborate even further with our airline, business, and tourism partners on driving the Edmonton Region’s economic prosperity through air service development at YEG!” he posted on LinkedIn.
• The Edmonton International Airport said 2022 was a record year for cargo growth, with a 7.2% increase even though global air cargo demand decreased.
• The Hate Crimes and Violent Extremism Unit of the Edmonton Police Service has expanded its online crime reporting service to allow Edmontonians to report hate incidents without calling police or going to a police station.
• The Edmonton Police Foundation and Foot Locker collaborated with the Edmonton Police Service to help seniors from Operation Friendship Seniors Society select a new pair of shoes in an event called Operation Sole at West Edmonton Mall.
• The Edmonton Police Service is hosting the eighth annual Oskayak Police Academy, a free two-week program for Indigenous youth in grades 10 to 12. The program is supported by community partners including TC Energy.
• Entuitive‘s building envelope specialist Supreet Kapur said in a recent employee spotlight feature that the Avalon Court residential building in Edmonton is one of his favourite projects.

• Epic Investment Services said that 103 Street Centre at 10130 103 Street has been certified BOMA BEST Gold.
• Field Law‘s Jason Kully spoke to CBC Edmonton about whether there is a right to work from home, as some employers are now mandating a return to the office at least for part of the week.
• The Fort McMurray Airport Authority has been nominated for a FuseSocial Heart of WB Excellence Award in the “Collaboration of the Year” category for their work with #NotInMyCity to raise awareness and disrupt sexual exploitation in the region.
• The Fort McMurray Airport Authority has received the Brilliant Beginnings Award from United Way Fort McMurray and Wood Buffalo, which recognizes new community members or organizations that embody the United Way’s mission and vision.
• GWL Realty Advisors said the first phase of the First & Jasper property — including a premier fitness facility, luxury shower and locker room, and five meeting rooms equipped with cutting-edge AV equipment — is now complete. Phase 2 is currently underway.
• Hi Signs collaborated with the Rohit Group of Companies to design a captivating entrance for Kinglet Gardens, combining striking architectural elements and lush greenery.
• Introba is collaborating with Perkins&Will to rapidly scale the latter’s operational carbon analysis process.
• JEN COL Construction has announced the completion of 1 Putt Virtual Golf, an indoor golf center located in the northeast of Edmonton. The facility features six semi-open trackman bays, a stylish bar top, vintage game stations, a foosball table, artificial turf, and professional lighting surrounding the trackman bays.
• JEN COL Construction celebrated its 45th anniversary, thanking everyone who has been with them along the way. The May 2023 edition of Business in Edmonton Magazine includes a special feature on the company.
• KV Capital recently held its second annual Edmonton Real Estate Forum Mixer, which provided an opportunity to reconnect with industry professionals and discuss the future of the city. At the forum, Marc Prefontaine and Darin Rayburn shared their expertise on evaluating risk facing debt and capital markets and assessing the Edmonton market, respectively.
• KV Capital has provided a structured finance solution to Autograph’s The Mercury Block, a seven-storey mixed-use rental development with 163 units and at-grade retail, set to open in Edmonton’s Oliver neighbourhood in the fall of 2023.
• MacEwan University recently celebrated the 50th anniversary of Early Learning at MacEwan.
• Melcor Developments welcomed new tenant Edmonton Unlimited to its new innovation centre located in the RBC Building downtown. The new innovation space is intended to drive sustainable prosperity, advance local solutions for international market share, and attract strategic investment.
• NorQuest College recently graduated the largest class in its history at Convocation 2023. The college also welcomed more than 500 new international students from around the world.
• NorQuest College‘s 1000Women4STEM Campaign has raised more than $1 million, thanks to a recent donation from the Stollery Charitable Foundation. The campaign aims to support women in their pursuit of a post-secondary education and career in STEM, with a goal of $3 million.
• Ogilvie LLP is moving to the Stantec Tower in ICE District, taking over space on the 28th floor. Managing partner Trevor Reddekopp said that the tower best represents the firm’s future, after being part of the Edmonton legal community for more than 100 years.
• ONE Properties will sponsor the BOMEX 2023 keynote featuring Hayley Wickenheiser.
• Edmonton Tower, jointly owned by ONE Properties and the Alberta Investment Management Corporation, has received ENERGY STAR certification and BOMA BEST Platinum re-certification. The building’s energy efficiency strategies include resilient design, sophisticated automation, and data-driven commissioning activities.
• Operations Manager Jarret Young of ONE Properties has been awarded the 2023 Emerging Leaders Award with BOMA Edmonton. Young will represent Edmonton and compete for the BOMA Canada National Emerging Leader Award at BOMEX 2023 in September.
• PCL Construction has announced a combined $600,000 donation to the Canadian Red Cross and American Red Cross disaster management programs. This commitment will bring PCL’s total contributions to the Canadian and American Red Cross societies to $2.85 million since 2011.
• The Rohit Group of Companies announced that site servicing has begun at Glenridding Village, located at the corner of 170th Street and Rabbit Hill Road, which will open in Spring 2025.
• Seagate Contract Management has completed the Ambleside Spa project, a 3,243 sq. ft. space located at 7011 Armour Bend SW in Edmonton.
• SMP Engineering‘s Derek Ciezki is featured in the May edition of Business in Edmonton Magazine, commenting on the city’s recent momentum in housing construction.
• SMP Engineering has sponsored the Edmonton Stingers professional basketball club for the 2023 season.
• Stantec has joined the Structural Engineers 2050 Commitment Program (SE2050), which prioritizes reduction of embodied carbon in project work, using fewer and/or less impactful structural materials.
• Strathcona County hosted the Forward Together: Tourism in Strathcona County conference last month, which highlighted how tourism is growing in the area.
• More than 150 people attended the 2023 Industrial Supply Chain Forum on May 24 in Sherwood Park, hosted by Strathcona County to support business growth and showcase the diverse talent available in the region.
• Sustainable Projects Group president Tayber Yastremski will be speaking at the Alberta Energy Efficiency + Innovation Summit, which is taking place on June 20-21 in Edmonton.
• Synergy Group of Companies recently completed the construction of a new, 12,300 sq. ft. office space for Arcadis-IBI Group in downtown Edmonton.
• Synergy Group of Companies recently decommissioned and removed the tower crane from the Edward building site in Edmonton’s Oliver neighbourhood, marking a major milestone for the team. The 13-storey concrete apartment complex is expected to be completed in early 2024.
• Synergy Group of Companies is excited to be involved in the development of The Mercury Block in Edmonton’s Oliver neighbourhood.
• Triovest Realty Advisors said the ATCO Centre building has achieved BOMA BEST Platinum certification and was also recognized by the Healthcare of Ontario Pension Plan with the GHG performer award.
• Williams Engineering Canada shared some recognition from Canadian Architect for the Calder and Capilano branches of the Edmonton Public Library.
• Williams Engineering Canada said its team won the 2023 Exterior Lighting Award for electrical services done at the Diwan at the Aga Khan Garden.

• CIBC has received two awards from The Digital Banker 2023 World Digital Bank Awards for its innovative digital client experiences, including Most Innovative Digital Banking Business Model and Outstanding Implementation of a Digital Banking Initiative by a Team.
• Colliers reports that land acquisitions have been on the rise in Canada, with multiresidential land sales increasing 81% from 2021 to 2022. Alberta, in particular, has been attracting investment. “People are moving there from other parts of Canada because it’s one of the last affordable places. Owning an apartment long-term looks more favourable in Alberta,” said Adam Jacobs, head of research for Colliers Canada.
• GWL Realty Advisors and QuadReal Property Group have received two of the inaugural BOMA BEST Smart certifications for The Livmore in Toronto and 745 Thurlow Street in Vancouver, respectively.

• Levitt-Safety has been named one of Canada’s Best Managed Companies for the eleventh year in a row.
• Oxford Properties Group received three 2023 IPE Real Assets Global Awards and expressed gratitude for its customers, partners, and team.
• PCL Construction has acquired The Companies of Nassal, an Orlando, Florida-based specialty theme fabricator and program manager, for an undisclosed amount.
• Polykar has been named one of Canada’s Best Managed Companies by Deloitte Canada for three consecutive years.

• The Edmonton Metro Region Economic Recovery Working Group, for which BOMA Edmonton president and CEO Lisa Baroldi serves as vice-chair, has released its final report of priorities and recommended actions. One area of focus was how the province can better support Indigenous entrepreneurs. Spruce Grove-Stony Plain MLA Searle Turton, who chaired the working group, said the Edmonton region is well-situated to be a hub for economic opportunities for Indigenous communities.
• In an opinion piece published by Postmedia, the chair and co-vice chairs of the Edmonton Metro Region Economic Recovery Working Group argue that all political parties and their leaders should use the working group’s report as a guide for building a sustainable economy in the Edmonton region. “The report is a clear roadmap for how the right investments, supports, and policies can build a prosperous and sustainable economic future for our region,” Searle Turton, Lisa Baroldi, and Malcolm Bruce wrote in the piece. It also calls for a $10-million fund to help the Edmonton International Airport attract direct air connections to key markets around the world to support economic growth.
• Coun. Andrew Knack’s motion to explore the conversion of downtown offices into residential and hotel units passed unanimously at city council, directing administration to work with stakeholders including BOMA Edmonton to explore the refurbishment of empty office space and determine whether legislative changes or financial incentives could help.
• The Edmonton Downtown Business Association announced three programs that put a total of $1.8 million toward business growth, retail, and dining in the downtown core. The Downtown Retail Project, a partnership with Avison Young, will provide up to $250,000 to up to six retailers to offset costs of building a new downtown location.
• Canadian Western Bank has been included in the 1,000+ employee category of the Best Workplaces in Canada 2023 list.
• Mark Anderson, vice-president for CBRE Limited‘s Edmonton office, said there are signs of optimism despite a rising office vacancy rate. The downtown office vacancy rate rose half a percentage point to 23.5%. Anderson noted it had increased by 3.4% since the end of 2019, which shows the “fundamental strengths” and resilience of Edmonton’s office market compared to other Canadian markets. Global News at Noon spoke to Dave Young of CBRE about the evolution of Edmonton’s office market.
• The Edmonton Public Library is now offering carbon dioxide monitors to the public. As of mid-December, there were over 120 library holds placed on the devices.
• The Fairmont Hotel Macdonald was included on Historic Hotels Worldwide’s list of the top 25 holiday traditions and spectacular displays for its “magnificent two-story, 20-foot-tall holiday gingerbread house in its historic lobby.”
• Porter Airlines, a regional airline based in Toronto, announced it will soon offer daily flights between Edmonton International Airport (YEG) and Toronto Pearson International Airport (YYZ). Starting Feb. 14, the airline will offer one daily flight, which will increase to three per day on April 19. According to a press release, introductory round-trip fares will start at $250.

• A look-ahead to science and technology in 2023 from Maclean’s mentions Drone Delivery Canada‘s experiments delivering packages from the Edmonton International Airport (YEG) to Leduc County, saying it could become a “permanent solution for Canada’s beleaguered supply chain, expediting deliveries and reducing emissions.”
• Edmonton CREW profiled Kimberlie Garraway, senior vice president of property management with ONE Properties. “I love property management as each and every day is different and after 30 years I am still learning,” she said.
• Lee Clayton of PCL Construction and Adam Laughlin, the deputy city manager of integrated infrastructure services with the City of Edmonton, have been re-elected to sit on the 30-person volunteer board of the Canadian Council for Public-Private Partnerships.

• The federal government and the City of Edmonton jointly announced a $30.7-million investment to upgrade and expand the city’s active transportation infrastructure. The federal government is contributing $8.9 million through the Active Transportation Fund, and the city is contributing the rest. The funding will go toward re-building 1.2 kilometres of sidewalks and streetscaping on Jasper Avenue between 114 Street and 124 Street. It will also go toward four planning studies to identify connection links and safe crossings, examine bike infrastructure needs, and more.
• The City of Edmonton and federal government announced a $66.7-million joint investment to repair 1,955 affordable housing units in Edmonton, including 882 managed by Civida. Ottawa is funding up to $19.5 million through the National Housing Co-Investment Fund, while the city is contributing $14 million of existing funding to the projects. The remaining $33.2 million will be provided by the housing unit operators. More than 90% of the housing units managed by Civida are in fair to poor condition and in need of major renovations. The repairs are expected to be completed by February 2026.
• Blaine MacMillan, president and CEO of Cowan Graphics, has been inducted into Junior Achievement’s 2023 Northern Alberta Business Hall of Fame. A celebration event is set for Oct. 26 at the Edmonton Convention Centre.
• The Edmonton International Airport and West Edmonton Mall are among the finalists for the inaugural Edmonton Tourism Awards.
• EDify took a closer look at the open design for MacEwan University‘s new School of Business. GEC Architecture has created a beautiful, functional concept with “exceptional light and views,” university president Annette Trimbee said.
• The 2023 provincial budget’s post-secondary investments include $13.7 million toward creating 517 new seats in health, technology, and business programs across MacEwan University, NorQuest College, the University of Alberta, and other Edmonton-area post secondaries. According to a release, the province is putting a total of $193 million toward creating 8,000 new seats in high-demand post-secondary programs across Alberta.
• Athabasca University’s Faculty of Business announced that Naseem Bashir, president and CEO of Williams Engineering Canada, is one of the panelists at the Advancements in Sustainability event on May 26.

• More than 700 volunteers from Edmonton businesses participated in the Corporate Cleanup Challenge organized by the Downtown Recovery Coalition on May 21. Teams from BOMA Edmonton members Bee-Clean Building Maintenance, Entuitive, ONE Properties, ProCura Real Estate Services Limited, Recruitment Partners, and Solution 105 Consulting were among those who helped pick up litter throughout the downtown core.
• Melanie Fuller, director of wellness at Alberta Blue Cross, appeared on Global News on April 19 to speak about the importance of incorporating wellbeing into your day-to-day life and how Alberta Blue Cross is promoting wellness.
• Alberta Blue Cross wrapped up Fraud Prevention Month by encouraging Albertans to learn about various benefits fraud case studies and how they informed the organization’s fraud prevention plan.
• Alberta Health Services highlighted the work of the Edmonton Zone stroke program which has twice won awards of distinction from Accreditation Canada for ensuring the highest quality of care.
• Evan Siddall, CEO of the Alberta Investment Management Corporation, will be among the speakers at the Challenge for Change Forum happening in New Brunswick from May 31 to June 2. Siddall will speak about a sustainable path for the Canadian energy sector.
• Alberta Investment Management Corporation (AIMCo) has exceeded its benchmark return by 1.8%, despite a -3.4% net investment performance, with total client assets under management standing at $158 billion for the year ending December 2022.
• Alberta Municipalities released a new paper as part of the Future of Municipal Government project in partnership with the University of Calgary’s School of Public Policy. Climate Risk Assessment and Adaptation Considerations for Municipal Government is about how municipalities adapt to changing weather challenges.
• Allmar will be exhibiting at the Hub of Construction Expo by the Edmonton Construction Association on May 10. “Drop by Booth #932 to say hello and discuss the many solutions that we can provide you,” said the company.
• Aspen Properties shared that its executive chair, Scott Hutcheson, will be speaking at the Edmonton Real Estate Forum on May 4.
• BDO Canada has introduced Women Driving Growth, a suite of services tailored for women leaders. The services are designed to help them identify areas for growth and get actionable advice for improving their business.
• The team at Black & McDonald Limited attended the smartmicro forum in Orlando, Florida and was recognized as the top-selling Canadian distributor of smartmicro sensors in 2022.
• Business in Edmonton Magazine is still accepting nominations for its annual Business Leader Awards. There is an online forum where you can nominate an owner, CEO, or president of an Edmonton company who contributes “in an outstanding way to our vibrant and growing city.”
• The Canterbury Foundation is hosting an open house on May 27, which will include a tour, food, activities for kids, and a chance to meet Canterbury’s staff and residents.
• The City of Edmonton, the Edmonton Arts Council, and the Edmonton Public Library are seeking applications from candidates interested in becoming the city’s 10th Poet Laureate. The Poet Laureate acts as an ambassador for the literary arts and reflects the life of the city through poetry. The successful applicant will serve a two-year term beginning July 1, 2023. Applications are due May 3. The city’s current Poet Laureate is writer, poet, and performer Titilope Sonuga.
• The City of Edmonton has launched its One Strong Voice campaign to “empower and educate” bystanders to safely intervene in gender-based violence and harassment in transit spaces. The campaign, which the city began promoting in transit areas and through social media and radio on April 5, focuses on six actions you can take based on whether you feel safe or unsafe intervening.
• Civida said that its Tenant Advisory Committee held its first meeting on April 27. “The committee had a great discussion about how we can work together to improve the safety and well-being of Civida tenants,” said the organization. “We are excited to begin this collaborative work!”
• Colliers International reports that the supply of vacant office space in Edmonton rose to 20.1% in the first quarter of this year.
• Tonya Woolford, a software specialist with Digitex Canada, was a speaker at the Central Alberta Economic Partnership’s SUMMIT event. Woolford’s panel was on “Productivity through automation and technology.”
• The Edmonton Police Service is implementing a new online record request system in response to a growing number of Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act (FOIP) requests, which have risen from 459 cases in 2015 to 1,665 in 2022. Police chose to move to a platform called ATIPXpress, which is used by several other Canadian and American agencies including Alberta Health Services, after the province decommissioned its FOIPnet system in 2021. EPS said its new public portal is expected to launch “in the near future” and will “significantly streamline” its management of FOIP requests. The police service is also hiring four additional analysts for its Information and Privacy Unit, which currently has seven members.
• The Edmonton Public Library shared a video to commemorate the 25th anniversary of renaming the downtown Centennial Library as the Stanley A. Milner Library. The library said Milner’s “ardent support of the EPL continued for over 60 years, and we remain grateful for his leadership and innovative vision.”
• Edon Management said its partnership with RecycleSmart, which began two years ago, helps manage waste, organics, and recycling removal. The partnership also allows Edon to access waste removal statistics, and the company reports an average diversion rate of 60% for material removed from its bins.
• Environmental Dynamics shared some of the work its team completed on a new commercial office build in Edmonton.
• EPCOR has signed a contract with Landis+Gyr to use its technology and related services on about 270,000 water meters in Edmonton.
• First Onsite Restoration has expanded its Edmonton branch office to support businesses and residents affected by catastrophic weather. The facility centralizes Edmonton operations into one strategic location. “The branch boasts roughly four times the warehouse space and allows for the integration of all our complex and residential teams and equipment to better meet the demands of our customers and insurance partners,” said Edmonton branch manager Curtis Azevedo.
• Fort McMurray Airport Authority is hosting its 2023 Virtual Annual Public Meeting on May 4, which will be live streamed on the FlyYMM YouTube channel.
• Jani-King has received a Franchisees’ Choice Designation for the fifth year in a row.
• Steven Walton of the JW Marriott Edmonton ICE District gave a shoutout to the team for receiving the 2022 Marriott Bonvoy Global Loyalty Hotel Award for the second consecutive year.

• KV Capital was involved in judging the latest Investors Club Private Equity Case Competition through the Alberta School of Business. The company congratulated the winners in a LinkedIn post.
• Manulife Real Estate has been recognized by LinkedIn as Innovators of Learning in the category of companies with more than 10,000 employees. Manulife staff completed more than 962,000 hours of learning through LinkedIn Learning over the past two years.
• Melcor Developments thanked those who attended the Melcor and Melcor REIT annual general meeting on April 27. “It was an honour to celebrate Melcor’s 100th and the REIT’s 10th birthday with you, and to share stories of our history,” the company said.
• Melcor Developments launched a centennial website, melcor100.ca, where you can explore the evolution of the company and how it became what it is today. The company also shared a photograph of its original office at 101 Street and 102 Avenue from 1923, which is “where it all began.”
• Morguard Investments announced that its Rice Howard Place Tower One and Two in Edmonton have earned WiredScore PLATINUM, the highest level of digital connectivity certification, which reaffirms the company’s commitment to future-proofing its properties for tenants and visitors.
• The 1000 Women movement at NorQuest College has launched with a new look. The initiative raises funds to help students achieve academic goals and reduce barriers to education.
• NorQuest College received a bronze award for equity, diversity, and inclusion (EDI) at the annual World Congress event in Montreal organized by Colleges and Institutes Canada. The college says EDI is woven into its 2023 strategic plan, which is called Norquest 2030: We Are Who We Include.
• Darren Durstling, president and CEO of ONE Properties, participated in a 20 Questions session hosted by NAIOP Edmonton. NAIOP said it was a pleasure to have Darren “share his insights on the constant change that happens within our industry, and how to quickly adapt.”
• ONE Properties is sponsoring a concurrent session at the Edmonton Real Estate Forum on the topic “Compare and contrast: shining a light on the 80s and understanding how Alberta is positioned differently today to weather the inflationary storm.” The session is scheduled for 2:30pm on May 4.
• Oxford Properties Group has been ranked by Fast Company as one of the world’s most innovative companies for its approach to ESG. You can learn more in Oxford’s 2022 Global Sustainability Report.
• Ian McKinnon, a manager with PCL Construction, announced that the project team for the north-of-Yellowhead CN overpass project in Strathcona County has reached the milestone of successfully erecting 16 pre-cast concrete box girders on the abutments constructed on an eight-meter-high shoring system. He thanked design partners CVL Engineers and Stantec for making the innovation possible.
• PCL Construction congratulated Rick Hermann, manager of construction engineering, for receiving the 2023 Frank Spragins Technical Award from the Association of Professional Engineers and Geoscientists of Alberta. “Rick has made an incredible impact during his 27 years at PCL, pioneering groundbreaking construction processes such as the HeviLift program and patented Engineered Module Lift Frame,” the company said.
• PCL Construction said that being recognized as one of Canada’s greenest employers is a “testament to the hard work and dedication of our talented team, who consistently strive to exceed our clients’ expectations and push the boundaries of sustainable innovation through environmental stewardship.”
• Rohit Group of Companies celebrated its founders Radhe Gupta and Krishna Gupta, who were among the 7,000 Albertans recognized with Queen’s Platinum Jubilee Medals. “This recognition is a testament to their outstanding leadership and vision, which have propelled Rohit Group of Companies to become a trusted name in the industry,” the company said.
• Seasonal Impact announced that its Capital Care Norwood Redevelopment Project received an Award of Merit in the Green Roof/Green Wall category at the 2022 Landscape Awards.
• SMP Engineering said that team member Terrance LaCoursiere in the company’s Edmonton office has achieved the status of Certified Construction Contract Administrator (CCCA) through Construction Specifications Canada (CSC). The CCCA credential “demonstrates the necessary knowledge of the CSC’s recommended practices in organizing, implementing, and supervising construction contract documents, and expertise in written communications,” the company said.
• SMP Engineering shared an update on the completion of Phase 1 of the CapitalCare Norwood Redevelopment Project, which involved constructing a new seven-storey tower with 234 complex continuing care and post-acute care beds.
• The City of St. Albert shared its 2022 Annual Report, which shows the city’s financial resiliency as well as linger impacts from the pandemic. The city also released its 2022 Environment Report Card, which looks at the past year’s progress on environmental goals.
• Stantec has been named a Top 50 STEM Workplace by the American Indian Science and Engineering Society (AISES) for a fourth consecutive year.
• Stantec says it achieved operational carbon neutrality in 2022 by systematically reducing emissions, buying renewable energy, and balancing emissions with certified carbon credits.
• TC Energy thanked everyone who participated in the 2023 Canadian Hydrogen Convention, including co-host Edmonton Global.
• Terra Landscaping received the Landscape Award of Excellence at the Landscape Alberta Awards ceremony held in Banff. The award is for Terra Landscaping’s backyard oasis and outdoor kitchen construction project in Edmonton.
• The University of Alberta released an economic impact study showing the institution generates $19.4 billion a year for Alberta’s economy, accounting for more than 5% of the province’s GDP. The study also found Alberta workers with degrees from the U of A earn higher salaries on average, with an economic impact of $4 billion from bachelor’s degrees alone.
• Vipond successfully completed the design, supply, fabrication, and installation of sprinklers, standpipes, and a fire pump for the Edmonton International Airport expansion project. “Everything is in place and running smoothly, and we are able to see the benefits of the latest technology for this client,” the company said.

• Anthem Properties shared that its Glacier Ridge community in Calgary won the “New Community of the Year” award at the recent 2022 BILD Calgary Awards. The team were also finalists in the “Community of the Year” and “Show Parade Home of the Year” categories.
• First Onsite Restoration has released its wildfire worries survey, which examines Canadians’ concerns, perceptions, and fears amid ever-increasing summer wildfire threats. The latest survey found that 55% of Albertans are concerned about wildfires.

• In 2022, GWL Realty Advisors celebrated the launch of three new residential buildings and the completion of a new state-of-the-art, 33-storey AAA office tower in downtown Vancouver. All its buildings are equipped with smart technology to deliver significant operational and energy-saving benefits. More information on how the company achieves “operational excellence” can be found in its Annual Review.

• Alberta Investment Management Corporation was profiled by IPE Real Assets, which described the organization as “among the first large global asset owners to combine and manage an agriculture and timberland portfolio…as renewable resources.”
• Artis REIT, CIBC, Colliers International, Dream Industrial Management Corp., GFL Environmental, Morguard Investments, and Stantec were among the companies recognized by The Globe and Mail in the 2023 Women Lead Here list, its fourth annual benchmark of gender diversity in corporate Canada.
• Avison Young data suggests that Edmonton is emerging as a new industrial market powerhouse, “with burgeoning activity leading to near-record lows in vacancy and availability.”
• Edmonton’s commercial real estate sector continues to face challenges related to high interest rates and hybrid work, according to CBRE Limited‘s latest Canada Real Estate Market Outlook. Dave Young, an executive vice-president and director with CBRE, wrote that parts of Edmonton’s downtown are seeing more activity, the suburban office market is recovering, and demand outpaced supply in the industrial market in 2022. Young also spoke to Global News about what CBRE’s projections could mean for downtown revitalization.
• The City of Edmonton, Qualico Developments, and the Rohit Group of Companies each earned recognition at the 2023 Awards of Excellence in Housing event hosted by the Canadian Home Builders’ Association-Edmonton Region.
• The OGM pointed to several ways the Edmonton International Airport is pursuing sustainability, including collaborative efforts with the Edmonton Region Hydrogen Hub to kick-start the region’s hydrogen economy.
• The Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) and its American counterpart are reopening all NEXUS airport enrolment centres this spring, which the agencies say will increase the program’s capacity and help people get NEXUS membership cards faster. Interviews to join the NEXUS Program can be booked as of March 20, with appointments at the Edmonton International Airport starting April 12.
• Const. Travis Jordan and Const. Brett Ryan of the Edmonton Police Service were shot and killed while responding to a family dispute call at an apartment complex in the Inglewood area on March 16. A visibly emotional Chief Dale McFee described the event as “unthinkable and a horrific tragedy” while speaking at police headquarters in front of more than 100 EPS officers, staff, and media. Consolation and sympathy came from across Canada and flags were lowered to half-mast. Mayor Amarjeet Sohi issued a statement on behalf of council and administration calling March 16 a “very difficult and sad day.” Premier Danielle Smith and Public Safety Minister Mike Ellis extended sympathies to the family, friends, and colleagues of the officers, and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau also sent his condolences to their loved ones and colleagues.

• Postmedia profiled the work of community safety teams working with the Healthy Streets Operations Centre (HSOC), which was launched by the Edmonton Police Service with partners in October 2022 in response to “chronically high levels of victimization and crime” in downtown, Chinatown, the Alberta Avenue area, and some LRT stations. The teams, which originally included police, peace officers, and paramedics, were joined by provincial sheriffs on Feb. 23 and will also include Edmonton Fire Rescue Services representatives beginning in late March.
• The Edmonton Public Library is extending its Sunday hours to better accommodate patrons. Beginning March 26, most branches will open two hours earlier, operating from 10am to 5pm. The change was made possible with support from council and in response to public demand for more library access on Sundays.
• The province announced its plan to spend $125 million as part of its 2023 budget to help MacEwan University construct a new building for its School of Business. The seven-storey building at 109 Street and 105 Avenue will allow the school to increase enrolment by 7,500 students and further its goal of reaching 30,000 students by 2030. Construction is slated to begin in 2024, with the building expected to open by 2027.
• Morguard Investments-owned Bonnie Doon Shopping Centre has become home to several unconventional and niche tenants in an attempt to attract foot traffic as consumers shift their shopping habits away from malls. General Manager Tammy Abbott said the pandemic forced the shopping centre to approach business differently as consumer habits changed. “We’ve had to look out of the box and bring new concepts to the plate,” Abbott said.
• PCL Construction is using a battery-powered equipment system from Milwaukee Tool to reduce emissions at its Cascade Power Project south of Edson. “As the construction sector searches for innovative ways to meet sustainable development goals, battery-powered technology provides one of the biggest opportunities to reduce harmful jobsite emissions that pose risks to end users and the environment,” says a piece in Electrical Industry News Week.
• St. Albert Place, the city’s community hub, is getting a $13.9 million facelift thanks to $5.7 million from the federal Green and Inclusive Community Buildings program, and $8.2 million from the City of St. Albert.
• The University of Alberta has received government approval to set up a new Innovation Fund, a venture-philanthropy fund that will invest in startups founded by U of A students, alumni, faculty, staff, and other entrepreneurs in the province.
• The University of Alberta‘s nursing program was ranked the best in Canada for the second consecutive year in the QS World University Rankings and rose in the global ranking from ninth in 2022 to fifth in 2023. Overall, the U of A rose from 126th to 110th place after having been in 90th place in 2018.

The Saville Community Sports Centre at the University of Alberta is getting six new year-round tennis courts. The university is one of four locations in Canada to receive funding for a year-round tennis facility through a partnership with Rogers Communications. A soil-turning ceremony was held March 7.

• Alberta Blue Cross helped kickoff Fraud Prevention Month at city hall on March 1.
• The 2023 provincial budget will result in changes to municipal funding structures. Starting in 2024, the new Local Government Fiscal Framework (LGFF) will set baseline capital funding at $722 million across all municipalities, including $382 million reserved for Calgary and Edmonton, and will index annual capital funding 1:1 with provincial revenues from the previous three years. Alberta Municipalities, which conducted an analysis of the 2023 budget, says it leaves municipalities with a lingering infrastructure deficit and that budgeted LGFF funding is far below the 12-year average of past funding streams.
• Arrow Engineering was honoured with three awards of excellence at the Consulting Engineers of Alberta awards. “Our team was recognized for what we do best and what we love most, mechanical, electrical and civil engineering,” the company shared.
• BGE Indoor Air Quality Solutions spoke about IAQ monitoring at a recent event hosted by MCA-Alberta at the Edmonton Convention Centre.
• Canadian Western Bank has started a podcast called Growth Decoder, featuring interviews with entrepreneurs about pivotal moments.
• Canadian Western Bank has released its 2022 Sustainability Report.
• Canderel Group has earned the WELL Health-Safety Rating for two million square feet of certified office space.
• Civida is seeking sponsors for its 20th annual Hackers Fore Housing golf tournament, slated to take place on July 12.
• Cushman & Wakefield Edmonton was profiled by Edmonton CREW, which it sponsors. “After any event, mixer or speaker series, our team feels energized and informed,” the company shared.
• Kristina Botelho, founder of kb&co, has been named the 36th Allard Chair in Business at MacEwan University. The position recognizes a distinguished businessperson and community leader to act as a role model for students.
• International travellers arriving at the Edmonton International Airport can now expedite entry using the Advance Declaration feature.
• The Edmonton International Airport was featured in a video published by Sam Chui, the world’s most-followed aviation blogger.
• The Edmonton International Airport will host the 2023 Airports Canada Conference from May 16-18.
• EPCOR is reminding Edmontonians that spring runoff into the North Saskatchewan River may give tap water a “musty or earthy” smell, but is still safe to drink. The utility company monitors the smell by having lab technicians called “water sommeliers” do tests and by recruiting about 300 Edmontonians a year to provide feedback on their tap water. EPCOR suggests you can reduce the smell by running your cold tap for three minutes if it hasn’t been used for six hours or more, using a water filter, or putting lemon slices in your water to neutralize the odour.

• GDI Integrated Facility Services has won the 5-Star Safety Culture Award for 2023 from Canadian Occupational Safety magazine. “This prestigious award reflects our commitment to creating and maintaining a safe and healthy workplace.”
• Hi Signs was involved in the creation of the signage at Joey Moss Park, using sustainable western red cedar “to ensure Joey’s legacy is upheld to the highest standards, and stands proud for decades to come.”
• KERR Interior Systems was recognized by CertainTeed as the national winner for its work on the University of Alberta’s Dentistry Pharmacy Building. The company will now compete in the international awards in Athens on April 28.
• KV Capital has partnered with Tarek Merhej and Dan Weiss to acquire Whitemud Business Park and complete an office condominium conversion.
• ONE Properties said its Northwest Business Park, which participated in the City of Edmonton’s Building Energy Benchmarking Program, has achieved BOMA BEST Gold certification.
• Oxford Properties Group won three 2022 PERE Global Awards, including its first-ever global category wins.
• QuadReal Property Group has been awarded the Kingsley Excellence Award by Grace Hill for exceeding the Kingsley Index industry benchmark for overall resident satisfaction.
• Servus Credit Union and connectFirst Credit Union intend to merge. “In today’s rapidly shifting financial landscape, scale matters,” Servus board chair John Lamb said in a release.
• Synergy Group of Companies said its team recently put the finishing touches on a new office space for Edmonton Global on the 22nd floor of TELUS Tower.
• Triovest Realty Advisors shared the first two art murals installed at ATB Place created in partnership with the Nina Haggerty Centre for the Arts. “The murals will showcase Edmonton’s spirit and iconic downtown skylines.”
• WCB Alberta said April 28 will be 2023’s Day of Mourning, an opportunity to remember those workers who were killed, injured, or suffered illness as a result of work-related incidents.
• Westcorp Property Management is working with Planworks Architecture on the second phase of the Edgeway project in Malmo Plains.
• Wolseley is hosting the Wolseley EXPO on April 4 at the Delta Edmonton South.

• Global News featured Lauren Kennedy West, a mental health advocate and one of the winners of the Faces of Wellness 2022 grand prize from Alberta Blue Cross. The program received 350 applications from across the province in 2022, compared to 150 in 2021, the year it launched.
• Englobe published a piece on the new Roxy Theatre, for which Arrow Engineering provided engineering services. “Rebuilding the Roxy Theatre was a significant undertaking requiring sophisticated engineering, and Arrow’s multidisciplinary team of mechanical, electrical, structural, and civil engineers welcomed the challenge,” the company wrote.
• Edmonton City Centre, owned by Canderel Group, is losing another anchor tenant as Sport Chek plans to close on March 12. Coun. Anne Stevenson of Ward O-day’min said workers are starting to return downtown, but some businesses haven’t been able to hold on. “We need people in the core to be supporting stores, and we also need stores in the core to be attracting people, so I think right now we’re sort of seeing a bit of a mismatch,” she told Postmedia.
• Edmonton CREW published a feature on Stefanie Orsini, a Senior Associate in the Retail Division at Cushman & Wakefield Edmonton. “We couldn’t think of anyone more deserving of a feature like this!” the company expressed on LinkedIn.
• A preliminary report from the Edmonton International Airport shows a major jump in passenger activity, with more than 5.8 million people arriving at or departing from the airport in 2022, up from around 2.8 million in 2021 when Canada still had significant travel restrictions. The number is still below the record-setting 8.1 million seen in 2019, however. The number of travellers between Canada and the United States was up 775% in 2022.
• Plant Plus, which produces compostable straws using a novel plant-fibre polymer, is planning to boost production thanks to an upgraded facility at the Edmonton International Airport. The company, which moved to Edmonton from Vancouver, has been working with the Bio Processing Innovation Centre to explore using local crops in its alternative to paper or plastic straws.

• The Edmonton Public Library has a new space exhibit, which is projected onto The Wall, a two-story interactive screen in the foyer of the Stanley A. Milner branch. The interactive display has activities to teach users about the solar system and physics.
• Pilar Martinez, CEO of the Edmonton Public Library, was profiled as the recipient of Edify Edmonton’s Trailblazer award. “Pilar’s commitment to service excellence and community needs helped implement transformative programs from early literacy classes to Outreach Worker services at various EPL locations,” the library shared on LinkedIn.
• Denean Robinson, CEO of the Fort McMurray Airport Authority, said the airport continues to recover from the COVID-19 pandemic, but a return to pre-pandemic levels is not expected until 2025-2026. “We want to be able to provide the best and most convenient options directly out of Fort McMurray,” said Robinson.
• PCL Construction has been named to the top 20 of Canada’s Best Employers of 2023 by Forbes.
• City councillors questioned a recommendation from administration to award a $26.4 million sole-source contract to Ledcor during an executive committee meeting Jan. 18. City staff say directly hiring Ledcor to build a pedway connecting Churchill LRT Station with Qualico‘s Station Lands would reduce potential project risks and minimize costs because the construction company is already the site contractor for the development. Council will consider the recommendation on Jan. 31.

Enterprise Square has been freshly renovated thanks to city investments aimed at revitalizing the downtown core. The University of Alberta is relocating more staff to the space, nearly doubling its occupancy, in a move intended to strengthen the university’s relationships with business, arts, and cultural communities and contribute to economic recovery. The space includes the UA Innovation Centre, which offers around 44,000 square feet of leasable office, classroom, and lab space and is home to 17 companies.

• Action Electrical showcased some of its recent work at Millennium Place in Sherwood Park. The company contributed to significant lighting upgrades to the 271,000 square-foot facility, which are expected to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 379 tonnes per year.
• AEDARSA announced that the Minister of Municipal Affairs is seeking applications to serve as the ministerial appointee to AEDARSA’s board of directors. Application details can be found online.
• Ainsworth made a #throwbackthursday post to celebrate The BP Group joining the Ainsworth brand and posted a picture of the BP’s installation of boilers, fans, and RTU units at a university in New York City.
• Alberta Gaming, Liquor and Cannabis released its 2021-2022 annual report, which explains how the organization achieved a 37% red tape reduction, nearly doubling its target of 20%.
• Allmar announced that Vince Baraniecz joined the team as Branch Manager for Edmonton. Baraniecz most recently served as Western Canada Sales Manager for Duchesne and previously worked in leadership and sales for Metrie.
• Anthem Properties has drawn the winner for its Anthem $25K Giveaway after receiving more than 2,000 entries and drawing more than 1,000 showhome visitors across 16 Alberta communities.
• The Edmonton International Airport shared that its staff helped celebrate the grand opening of Elevate Aviation’s new Learning Centre the Airport City Sustainability Campus.
• Edmonton International Airport president and CEO Myron Keehn is joining the board of directors for Airports Council International – North America.
• The Edmonton International Airport was recently accredited through the Airports Council International’s Public Health & Safety Readiness Accreditation Program.

• Edon Management announced it will soon launch two $1,000 scholarships for Indigenous students at NorQuest College.
• Epic Investment Services is hiring for the position of Manager, Sustainability & ESG.
• Indigo Park Canada announced its Park Indigo app is now called Indigo NEO. “Through the Indigo NEO app, parking guests can search, book and pay for parking at nearly 1,000 parking facilities across Canada, making for a more seamless journey every step of the way,” the company said.
• JEN COL Construction shared that a project it worked on, Claystone Waste’s administration building, was awarded a LEED®v4 BD+C Gold certification by the Canada Green Building Council.
• Ogilvie LLP announced it has acquired Masuch Law LLP, which is based in Calgary and Edmonton.
• Corporate Knights has named Stantec one of the world’s 100 most sustainable corporations. The firm is recognized among the top 1% of its industry peer groups worldwide on sustainability performance.
• Synergy Group of Companies announced that construction is almost complete on the second stage of the University of Alberta’s Enterprise Square location, which involved renovating 34,000 square feet on the third floor to help consolidate office spaces.
• Triovest Realty Advisors announced it is opening two new office spaces in Edmonton and Vancouver this week to accommodate its growing teams.
• Williams Engineering Canada launched a new website for the new year. “Find out how we’re living out our purpose of brightening lives each day!” the company said on LinkedIn.
• Witten LLP Barristers & Solicitors announced that one of its partners, Howie Sniderman, received a Distinguished Service Award from the Canadian Bar Association for his pro bono and community volunteer work.

• BOMA Edmonton, the Edmonton Chamber of Commerce, NAIOP Edmonton, and the Urban Development Institute – Edmonton Metro issued a joint statement to raise “deep concerns” over city council’s budget deliberations. “The motions passed thus far scatter priorities and are not related to the core mandate of municipalities,” said Chamber CEO Jeffrey Sundquist on Dec. 13. City council approved the 2023-2026 budgets with a property tax increase of just under 5% in each of the next four years.
• City council approved various changes to parking rates at city-run EPark stalls in an effort to raise an additional $1.4 million in annual revenue. Starting next year, rates at 92 high-demand EPark stalls will rise from $3.50 per hour to $4.50 per hour, the 30-minute grace period introduced during the pandemic will be reduced to 15 minutes, and some free parking will be cut. “In the last 20 years, transit fares have risen by about 75%, whereas parking fees have not significantly increased over that time,” said Ward Métis Coun. Ashley Salvador, who introduced the motion while acknowledging the changes “will probably not be super popular.”
• Alberta Blue Cross and Alberta Innovates have formed a strategic partnership to connect employees with digital health solutions to help them manage mental health issues and chronic disease conditions. There are nearly 500,000 health-related digital tools on the market, creating an overwhelming choice for people seeking to improve their wellness. “This partnership will aid people in that search,” says the release.
• Alberta Investment Management Corporation (AIMCo) CTO Denise Man spoke with CIOReview about AIMCo’s new approach to technology and innovation. “I’m excited to use technology to help transform the organization, helping to make us smarter, nimbler, with data driven decisions, all to help our many clients meet their fiduciary responsibility to the people of Alberta,” Man said.
• Higher-end spaces are doing better in Edmonton’s office market, reports Avison Young, noting a “gradual flight to quality benefitting Trophy and Class A properties.” Bell Tower and Baker Centre have seen increased activities since they were upgraded, the firm added.
• The province announced the launch of the Affordable Housing Partnership Program, which will allow housing providers to apply for funding to support up to one-third of costs for construction, renovation, conversion, or redevelopment projects. Public, non-profit, and private housing providers are eligible to apply until Jan. 11. “These partnership commitments will assist Civida in building new mixed-income affordable housing and provide more housing options for Edmontonians who need it most,” said Civida CEO Gord Johnston. The program is part of the province’s 10-year affordable housing strategy, Stronger Foundations, which began in 2021.
• The Edmonton International Airport (YEG) is looking forward to continued growth for its cargo business in 2023, even though it’s not a major contributor to its bottom line, because it’s important for the region, said Mammen Tharakan. “Cargo doesn’t buy coffees, park cars, or spend money at duty-free, so it doesn’t have the same revenue impact,” he told Taproot. “But our raison d’être is to drive economic prosperity for the region, and air cargo is a major contributor to that mission.”

• The Edmonton Public Library is now offering carbon dioxide monitors to the public. As of mid-December, there were over 120 library holds placed on the devices.
• The Fairmont Hotel Macdonald was included on Historic Hotels Worldwide’s list of the top 25 holiday traditions and spectacular displays for its “magnificent two-story, 20-foot-tall holiday gingerbread house in its historic lobby.”
• Porter Airlines, a regional airline based in Toronto, announced it will soon offer daily flights between Edmonton International Airport (YEG) and Toronto Pearson International Airport (YYZ). Starting Feb. 14, the airline will offer one daily flight, which will increase to three per day on April 19. According to a press release, introductory round-trip fares will start at $250.
• A look-ahead to science and technology in 2023 from Maclean’s mentions Drone Delivery Canada‘s experiments delivering packages from the Edmonton International Airport (YEG) to Leduc County, saying it could become a “permanent solution for Canada’s beleaguered supply chain, expediting deliveries and reducing emissions.”
• Edmonton CREW profiled Kimberlie Garraway, senior vice president of property management with ONE Properties. “I love property management as each and every day is different and after 30 years I am still learning,” she said.
• Lee Clayton of PCL Construction and Adam Laughlin, the deputy city manager of integrated infrastructure services with the City of Edmonton, have been re-elected to sit on the 30-person volunteer board of the Canadian Council for Public-Private Partnerships.
• Local parking startup Zipstall can now be used at Commerce Place — managed by QuadReal Property Group — in addition to the City of Edmonton’s curbside zones and a growing number of surface lots, founder Kevin Petterson announced on LinkedIn.
• The winter issue of Breaking Ground from the Edmonton Construction Association features a message from SMP Engineering‘s Derek Ciezki.
• The vibrancy of the Ice District is what drew Henry Singer to the Stantec Tower, where it is preparing to open a 10,000-square-foot space. “We can see this emerging, new energy of the district, and we really wanted to be part of that,” Jordan Singer told Postmedia.
• CULT Food Science has signed a memorandum of understanding with the University of Alberta and New Harvest to establish the Institute of Cellular Agriculture to support new ventures and intellectual property development while providing infrastructure, support, and funding opportunities for innovators and researchers.

• Action Electrical posted some photos of the kihciy askiy (“Sacred Land” in Cree) project in Whitemud Park that it partnered with Delnor Construction for.
• The Alberta Investment Management Corporation (AIMCo) has named Dr. Marlene Puffer its chief investment officer, starting on Jan. 20.
• Allmar is celebrating 65 years in business. The company now has 14 locations across Canada.
• According to AltraCare Commercial Maintenance, clean workspaces boost productivity and can reduce the spread of cold and flu by 80%.
• Anthem Properties CFO Rob McJunkin was named CFO of the Year in the private company category by BIV News.
• Aspen Properties wrote about the difference between flex office space and traditional headleases.
• BGE Indoor Air Quality Solutions congratulated its partners at Bird Construction on earning a 2022 NAFA Clean Air Award for the Shell Scotford Administration Building.
• Canadian Western Bank is expanding its partnership with Brim Financial to offer a new suite of business credit cards. “The combination of features like instant digital card issuance, spend and budgeting tools on Brim’s easy-to-use online dashboard, and a great cash back rewards program, will make this new line of credit cards a fantastic experience for our clients,” said Jeff Wright, CWB’s head of client solutions and specialty businesses.
• The City of St. Albert said that St. Albert Place now has a universally accessible washroom, funded in part by a $100,000 grant from the Government of Canada’s Enabling Accessibility Fund.
• CVL Engineers said it worked with Allwest Demolition and Marigold Transit on the demolition plan for the Stony Plain Road bridge, which will be closed until fall 2024 for construction of the Valley Line West LRT.
• Desco Coatings of Alberta said it was honoured to work on the new L.L. Bean store at West Edmonton Mall. “Polished concrete was the application of choice that best suited this project floor,” it wrote. “Compared to other flooring types, polished concrete offers a long life cycle, high light reflectivity, moisture vapour resistance, and lower maintenance costs.”
• The Edmonton International Airport and Indigenous Tourism Alberta (ITA) signed a memorandum of understanding promoting Indigenous businesses and experiences. “The members across our province all have very unique, authentic Indigenous stories to share, and the world wants to know, but we can only do so much as a small organization,” said ITA CEO Shae Bird. “Indigenous tourism will be marketed both to international audiences and to travellers arriving at YEG.”

• Edon Management has moved its Edmonton office as of Dec. 30 to 10366 65 Avenue.
• Environmental Dynamics said it completed 102 projects in 2022. “We’re really looking forward to all of the new projects that we have in store this year.”
• First Capital REIT announced the grand opening of Fjällräven in the Brewery District. “We are so excited to add this outstanding brand to our ever-expanding portfolio and look forward to its future in Edmonton.”
• The Fort McMurray Airport Authority, which recently launched a new website, has named Denean Robinson as president and CEO, effective Jan. 1.
• Integrity Waste Solutions was involved in the International Ski Federation (FIS) Snowboard Big Air World Cup at Commonwealth Stadium last month, providing waste solutions including portable toilets.
• ONE Properties and joint venture partner Revera Inc. have opened Glenora Park, a 22-storey, 290-suite retirement living residence at 10150 Clifton Place near 124 Street. “We’re excited to see the first residents move into Glenora Park and experience this new level of age-in-place living, and we look forward to working with Revera to build similar homes in other communities across Canada,” said Darren Durstling of ONE Properties.
• PCL Construction will continue to grow its solar construction market in North America and Australia with the formalization its new division, PCL Solar.
• Servus Credit Union has paid a record-setting $60 million to its 380,000 members through its Profit Share program.
• Stantec now has four digital products in the Microsoft Azure Marketplace. “Stantec’s collaboration with Microsoft is a great step forward for our Innovation Office team,” CEO Gord Johnston said in a release. “Since being established in 2020, our Innovation Office has created tools and products that have revolutionized our work and our ability to support our clients.”
• Strathcona County said lights in the ice and soccer arenas and other areas of Millennium Place in Sherwood Park have been replaced with LEDs thanks in part to a Municipal Climate Change Action Centre (MCCAC) grant of about $645,000. The project is expected to reduce emissions by 379 tonnes per year.
• The University of Alberta and the Edmonton International Airport (YEG) have signed a memorandum of understanding formalizing a partnership that has been ongoing for years. A joint committee will work to “strengthen connections between the two organizations” and “has the potential to transform the ways the U of A engages the public in its work and research, and will give YEG access to local Alberta innovations in science and technology.”

• Canderel Group has expanded its property management service offering to residential buildings with investments in Wilkar Property Management and TSE Management Services Inc.
• Dream Industrial Management Corp. was named one of Greater Toronto’s Top Employers for 2023.

• Indigo Park Canada has teamed up with Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) Canada. “For as little as $1, you can extend your overnight parking session at participating Indigo parking lots and do your part to stop impaired driving.”

Pattison Outdoor Advertising has launched a $1 million media grant program to support non-profit and charitable organizations that promote diversity across Canada.

• Bennett Jones is planning to lease close to 50,000 square feet on the 14th and 15th floors of the Stantec Tower. Edmonton’s overall office vacancy rate was 17.5% according to the Q3 report published by Avison Young.
• Edmonton’s city council needs to focus on return on investment as it makes budget decisions, argues an op-ed signed by Lisa Baroldi of BOMA Edmonton and three other leaders. They oppose the cumulative 15.6% tax increase in the proposed four-year budget, saying it will “erode our competitiveness, affordability, and dampen our ambition to grow.”
• Edmonton City Centre Mall, owned by Canderel Group, has partnered with Boyle Street Community Services to develop a more empathetic approach to ongoing security issues and social disorder on mall property. The partnership, which began about three months ago, includes a patrol team that responds to overdoses and provides food, water, and clothing to vulnerable people in and around the mall. The team also works with mall security to connect people in need with social services and support. “We’ve been able to get people housing in a couple of weeks, which is kind of unheard of,” said Brenna Gavel with Boyle Street.
• Dream Industrial REIT has formed a new joint venture with Singapore-based firm GIC to acquire Summit Industrial Income REIT for $5.9 billion.
• Passenger traffic at Alberta’s two main airports is bouncing back after pandemic restrictions drastically reduced air travel. “Things are recovering, and people are starting to travel again,” said Steve Maybee, vice-president of operations and infrastructure for Edmonton International Airport. Still, he said it may be years before the impacts of the pandemic are gone. YEG recently introduced a free service called YEG EXPRESS that offers travellers the option to pre-book a spot in the security lineup. Time slots can be reserved up to 72 hours before their scheduled flights.
• The Edmonton International Airport won this year’s Air Cargo Sustainability Award in the corporate category. “YEG’s Airport City Sustainability Campus is a growing hub of transportation, cargo logistics, manufacturing, sustainability, technology development and tourism,” said the Tiaca Air Cargo Forum in Miami. “It is an integrated ecosystem that spurs collaboration and innovation while fostering the commercialization of emerging clean technologies.”
• Edmonton International Airport CEO Tom Ruth spoke with International Airport Review about the future of aviation and the importance of leveraging collaboration and connectivity beyond the industry.
• The Edmonton Police Service has reallocated resources to fulfill its plan to move 62 more officers to the front lines and create a 10-squad patrol model, a move first announced in October.

• A new Loblaws City Market opened in ICE District Plaza on Nov. 9 after a two-year delay caused by the pandemic. “We know this has been a highly anticipated opening for our residential and office space tenants,” said ICE District CEO Stu Ballantyne. Previously, there were no grocery stores downtown east of 109 Street, and the area could be considered a food desert.
• Henry Singer Fashion Group is moving into Stantec Tower in ICE District. The menswear retailer’s new flagship store will occupy more than 10,000 square feet in the tower’s retail plaza.
• A new fan park is under construction in ICE District at the location of the former Baccarat Casino between 102 Street and 101 Street. The space will include three outdoor rinks, art installations and greenery, and will be able to accommodate festivals, sports and other public events. The year-round space will create “an opportunity for increased vibrancy and new and unique events,” Stu Ballantyne, president and chief operating officer for Rogers Place and Ice District, said in a release. The space is set to host its first event later in December.
• Mayor Amarjeet Sohi explained why he supports the establishment of an “Edge Fund” to strengthen the city’s innovation ecosystem by making capital available to local innovators and entrepreneurs. He cited support from Kyle Konsorada of Keller Construction and Sheetal Mehta of the University of Alberta among others.
• ONE Properties and Vestcor Inc. have acquired 41 Business Park in Nisku. The property was formerly owned by Ledcor’s fabrication and module yard. Upon completion, the site will feature about one million square feet of industrial space.
• PCL Construction has been recognized with a Canada’s Volunteer Award in the Business Leader category for its work in helping employees find volunteer opportunities.
• PCL Construction CEO Dave Filipchuk has received the University of Alberta’s Canadian Business Leader Award for 2023. He started work for the construction firm when he graduated from civil engineering in 1984 and has been there ever since. PCL was also named one of Canada’s Top 100 Employers for 2023 list.
• Polykar has officially opened its new 50,000-square-foot plant in Edmonton, located in Discovery Business Park. “This puts Edmonton squarely at the forefront in terms of creating value-added products from the raw materials made in Alberta,” said president and CEO Amir Karim. The company shared a recording of the launch.
• The University of Alberta recently rose to #136 in the influential Best Global Universities Rankings for 2022-2023 from U.S. News, thanks to a strong performance in medical and agriculture sciences.

• Action Electrical said it is honoured to be working with Hope Mission on the new Herb Jamieson Centre. “This new building will act as a 24/7 emergency shelter with capacity for over 400 people!”
• Alberta Blue Cross has introduced its 2022 Community Roots grant recipients.
• Alberta Blue Cross received two awards in the health category at the National Philanthropy Day awards.
• Arrow Engineering shared that five new supportive housing projects are now ready for occupancy. “Arrow is proud to have contributed our design expertise to this impactful initiative to reduce homelessness in our city.”
• Avison Young reports that Class A properties in Edmonton are “seeing spikes in foot traffic,” perhaps because of agreed upon “return-to-office” days.
• Bartle & Gibson Co. has won an Electro-Federation Canada award in the social and sustainability category.
• Business in Edmonton Magazine has published its list of Edmonton leaders for 2022.
• Civida has published the findings from its Tenant Satisfaction Survey that engaged 500 residents in July and August 2022.
• Cushman & Wakefield Edmonton‘s office sales and leasing associate Jacob Dykstra has provided examples of what landlords are doing to help tenants bring employees back to the office.
• Dream Industrial REIT has won the 2022 Excellence in ESG/Sustainability/Purpose award from the Governance Professionals of Canada.
• The Edmonton International Airport has created a new Indigenous Interpretive and Retail Centre in the international and domestic departures lounge. Indigenous Box will curate, display, and fulfill Indigenous-made art and products sold through the centre.
• The Edmonton Public Library said it raised more than $22,000 on Giving Tuesday to put about 4,000 books into the hands of children in need.
• Epic Investment Services said it welcomed 80 new employees this year.
• GardaWorld Protective Services published eight essential tips for merchants and mall administrations regarding loss prevention during the holiday season.
• GWL Realty Advisors congratulated Lori Cox Design on winning the design innovation award from the Architectural Woodwork Manufacturers Association of Alberta for its work on GWL’s site office in First and Jasper. “We are proud and excited working at a functional, aesthetic, engaging, and award-winning office.”

• Integral Group is rebranding to Introba. “Becoming Introba allows us to better meet the adaptive needs of our clients,” said president William Overturf.
• JEN COL Construction has been selected as the construction partner for the Town of Devon’s Dale Fisher Twin Arena Expansion Project.
• KERR Interior Systems was awarded both the CertainTeed regional and national awards for its work on the University of Alberta’s Dentistry Pharmacy Centre. “Now the KERR team will head to Athens, Greece for the international awards ceremony!”
• Matco Moving Solutions‘ Edmonton team has won the 2022 public service award from the Canadian Association of Movers, which recognizes a Canadian moving company that has gone beyond the call of duty to help their community.
• NorQuest College‘s facilities service coordinator thanked Bee-Clean Building Maintenance for bringing the Christmas spirit to campus. “Your custodial team goes above and beyond daily.”
• Ogilvie LLP, one of Edmonton’s oldest law firms, has acquired Masuch Law LLP, which was founded in 1996.
• PCL Construction shared a timeline of the 100th anniversary of its Edmonton buildings, starting with its first “construction job shack” in 1922 and the completion in 1923 of its first project in Edmonton, the Edmonton Public Library.
• QuadReal Property Group said it has invited all of its employees to enroll in the Indigenous Canada course from the University of Alberta. “For every team member who completed the course, we made a donation to Indspire, an Indigenous-led charity that invests in the education of First Nations, Inuit and Métis people across Canada.”
• Rohit Group of Companies said it delivered 205 baskets of hope and about $4,0000 to WIN House in support of women who are fleeing domestic violence.
• Scandinavian Building Services said it was honoured to be in charge of cleaning Rogers Place when the Toronto Raptors were in town.
• Seagate Contract Management has begun sharing a behind-the-scenes look at how it helped install the new office for Drivewyze.
• SMP Engineering shared that the Edmonton EXPO Centre rehabilitation project will feature the largest rooftop solar array in Canada once it is completed.
• Stantec has released its third-quarter results, setting a new record for contract backlog at $6.2 billion. Net revenue was $1.2 billion, up 24.3% over the same time last year, but net income decreased by 2.9%, largely due to acquisition costs.

• Morguard was recognized among Canada’s Safest Employers for a 10th consecutive year, receiving an excellence award in the services sector category.
• Ted Mildon, senior director of office leasing at Oxford Properties Group in Vancouver, said unique events are key to a good amenities space. “The real opportunity for landlords is to work on the programming side. And for those who have the amenity piece in place already, it’s an even better starting point to get the programming going and really foster those connections with tenants,” he said.

• Paladin Security Group has been named one of Canada’s most admired corporate cultures for 2022, its fourth win.
• Stantec, Entuitive, and three other firms were recognized with awards of excellence at this year’s Canadian Consulting Engineering Awards.
• Stantec will provide architecture and engineering design services for the new airport traffic control tower and terminal building at the Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport in Anchorage, Alaska.

• According to data from Altus Group, the top development deal in a strong first half of 2022 for real estate investment in the Edmonton region was the $60-million purchase of 150 acres by Air Products for its multi-billion-dollar net-zero hydrogen energy complex. Demand for industrial assets has been high with total transactions up 68% over the same period in 2021, totalling $1.7 billion.
• Edmonton is the most successful city in North America when it comes to attracting visitors downtown after the pandemic, according to data from Avison Young. The real estate firm found that downtown visitor volume increased 151.1% between March 2, 2020, and Sept. 5, 2022, ahead of Calgary and San Diego, which tied for second at 123.3%. Cory Wosnack, the firm’s managing director in Edmonton, told CTV News that Rogers Place and ICE District were a “difference maker,” a sentiment echoed by Jeffrey Sundquist, CEO of the Edmonton Chamber of Commerce. “You can’t argue that the Ice District and that development and ambition has really re-energized the central Edmonton area,” he said. “And in fact, it reinvigorated the entire region.”
• According to Avison Young‘s Q3 industrial report, vacancy rates in the Edmonton region have dropped to 3.9%. “This compression of vacancy rates is a culmination of several factors, one of which being related to the lack of new supply available for lease,” it said. But heading into 2023, Edmonton is expected to see more new supply than it has seen since 2015.
• The City of Edmonton has wrapped up its 2022 capital construction season, calling it “one of the most ambitious capital seasons in history.” This year, Integrated Infrastructure Services worked on 302 projects, 70% of which are on schedule and 92% on budget. The city also expects to complete three neighbourhood renewal projects by the end of the year. More details are available on the city’s fact sheet.
• Mayor Amarjeet Sohi launched the Mayor’s Advisory Council on Business Growth and Opportunities to help “build and feed a vibrant, inclusive and prosperous business ecosystem in Edmonton, and to identify ways to improve our city today, and for the future.” Members include Supriya James of CWB Financial Group; and Andre McDonald, a mechanical engineering professor who serves as the associate vice president of strategic research initiatives and performance at the University of Alberta.
• Edmonton Airports has named Myron Keehn as its new CEO. Keehn will replace Tom Ruth, who is set to retire at the end of December. The call for a new CEO attracted candidates from around the world, but in the end, the board chose Keehn, who is currently the vice president in charge of air service, business development, and ESG and stakeholder relations.
• The Edmonton International Airport recently hosted a delegation of business leaders and investors from Japan’s Nagoya Chamber of Commerce and Industry to learn about the Edmonton region’s smart cities efforts, including the latest advancements in logistics technology.
• Edmonton is the first Canadian city to join UNESCO’s Global Network of Learning Cities (GNLC), a collection of cities committed to excellence and learning for all. UNESCO’s press release highlights the City of Learners initiative, which has been run by the Edmonton Public Library since 2013.

• EPCOR announced on Oct. 28 that it has installed 24 new electric vehicle charging stations at eight sites around the city. The EV chargers are free for public use. Natural Resources Canada provided $210,000 to cover the installation costs.
• MacEwan University is promoting its plans to construct a new business building in the heart of downtown. “MacEwan’s downtown campus is one of its greatest assets,” president and vice-chancellor Dr. Annette Trimbee said in a sponsored piece. “Being located in the heart of Edmonton’s business community allows us to share knowledge in ways that are adaptable, engaging, memorable and personal.”
• John Day and Rob Seidel, who co-chair the capital fundraising campaign at MacEwan University, have a lot to say about the school’s “next chapter” in which it plans to become central to downtown revitalization by, among other things, constructing a new seven-story building to consolidate its downtown campus and increasing enrolment 60% by 2030. “The enhanced campus will be a powerful magnet for people whose knowledge, talents, and creativity will help fuel revitalization where it is needed most,” wrote Day and Seidel.
• NorQuest College is one of eight educational institutions in the world to receive a Higher Ed XR Innovation Grant from Unity Social Impact and Meta Immersive Learning. The money will go towards the school for its Autism CanTech! program, supporting the development of a road map and team to adapt resources and XR courses for neurodiverse students.
• The Ice District Plaza, billed as “the social hub at the heart of Canada’s largest mixed-use sports and entertainment district,” officially opened on Oct. 15. The space outside of Rogers Place had already hosted public gatherings during the Oilers’ playoff runs, but it is meant to be a year-round facility. “This was basically a dump,” Mayor Amarjeet Sohi said of the parking-lot-turned-plaza in an interview with Global News. “It’s been transformed completely.” ICE District was developed through a joint venture between Katz Group and ONE Properties.
• The City of Edmonton chose PCL Construction to complete part of the Yellowhead Trail Freeway Conversion from St. Albert Trail to 97 Street, which is the “most technically complex” part of the project. Changes will include removing major traffic signals, adding service roads, adding interchanges at 127 Street and 115 Street, and straightening a curve between 121 Street and 107 Street to accommodate a future LRT bridge. Construction is scheduled to begin in 2023 and end in 2027.
• Qualico has been chosen to develop the new 500,000-square-foot distribution centre for Leon’s Furniture Limited (LFL Group). The new facility will be located in the Northwest of Edmonton on 28 acres of land and is expected to open in 2024.
• Rohit Communities marketing manager Lina Nguyen said the company saw a rush of out-of-province buyers in the first half of the year, but added it always has a steady inventory with possession times ranging from a few weeks to a few months.
• Strathcona County is spending $658,600 to add accessible parking stalls to areas outside walking paths, green spaces, and designated parks and playgrounds.

• Ainsworth shared some preventative HVAC maintenance tips for fall.
• Alberta Blue Cross said applications are now being accepted for its Indigenous Scholarship Program which offers nine $1,500 awards. The deadline to apply is Jan. 16.
• Aspen Properties shared some “little big updates” from the past few months, including the addition of motion sensor lighting to the Bell Tower parkade.
• Avison Young said in its mid-2022 hotel market report that Canada’s hotel market bounced back during the first seven months of 2022 — nearly returning to 2019 levels.
• Backwoods Energy celebrated the grand opening of its new facility in Nisku on Sept. 2.
• BGE Indoor Air Quality Solutions said 18 of its customers were recognized with Clean Air Awards from the National Air Filtration Association, including the Edmonton EXPO Centre and three buildings at the University of Alberta.
• Carlson Construction is the construction manager for the new Bear Hills Casino and Resort, located on the Queen Elizabeth II Highway near Maskwacis about 45 minutes south of Edmonton. Construction is slated to begin this winter with the resort opening by Christmas 2023.
• CBRE Limited has published its Tech-30 2022 report, measuring the tech industry’s impact on office markets in Canada and the United States.
• Civida — which recently shared its 2022-2027 strategic plan — has partnered with several community organizations for its annual Edmonton Housing Month campaign. Nov. 22 is National Housing Day.
• CWB Financial Group has combined five legacy private wealth firms and rebranded them under the new CWB Wealth platform.
• The Edmonton International Airport celebrated the inaugural non-stop flight to Cancun with Air Canada. It also shared that WestJet has resumed non-stop service to Nanaimo.

• Epic Investment Services is welcoming the Alberta Enterprise Corporation as the newest tenant at the 103 Street Centre in downtown Edmonton.
• First Capital REIT said it has reduced GHG emissions across its portfolio by 14% over the last five years. “Reductions are achieved through operational best practices, energy efficiency assessments, and equipment retrofits & upgrades and we hope to continue this positive trend in the years to come.”
• JEN COL Construction shared that the Claystone Waste administration building in Beaver County has been certified LEED Gold.
• KV Capital said it is supporting the TELUS World of Science through the Partner Supported School program which aims to strengthen education programming for the 2022/2023 school year while reaching underserved students.
• ONE Properties celebrated the opening of The Canadian Icehouse and The Banquet at ICE District.
• QuadReal Property Group said it is targeting net zero for its entire portfolio by 2050. “Expanding our carbon reduction targets to net zero will allow us to meet and exceed our fiduciary responsibility to our stakeholders and clients, and help lead the market in innovation and execution.”
• Servis Realty shared eight budget-friendly tips for preparing your commercial property for winter.
• The University of Alberta rose to 118th place in the Times Higher Education 2023 World University Ranking, putting it among the top 7% of almost 1,800 universities around the world. Among the factors for its ascent was “an astronomical rise in the industry income area,” which is based on an institution’s “ability to help industry with innovations,” reports Folio.
• WCB Alberta celebrated Women’s History Month in October, noting that 70% of its team identify as female.

• Aspen Properties executive chairman Scott Hutcheson told attendees at the Calgary Real Estate Forum that his company is “competing against the kitchen table of work-from-home.” Aspen has gone “amenity-rich” at its properties as a result. “That’s really what office space has to be: more exciting than your kitchen table.”
• B.C. companies seeking industrial real estate are finding Alberta attractive, reports Storeys, citing lower prices, higher availability, and less red tape. An acre of land that would cost more than $4 million in B.C. can be had for closer to $400,000 in Alberta, said David St. Cyr of Avison Young.

• Stantec was awarded a US$20-million contract for the Gross Reservoir Expansion Project in Boulder County, Colorado. The completed dam will be the tallest in Colorado. It has also signed a letter of intent to purchase L2P, a Philadelphia-based architecture, interior design, and planning firm.
• Alberta Carbon Grid, a collaboration between TC Energy and Pembina Pipeline, has secured the rights to evaluate more than 900,000 hectares of land north of Fort Saskatchewan that is considered an ideal CO2 storage location “because of its proven deep porous geological formations and ability to handle decades of storage capacity.”

• Several BOMA Edmonton members won national awards at BOMEX 2022. Epic Investment Services won the Outstanding Building of the Year Award for HSBC Place in Edmonton — owned by Alberta Investment Management Corporation — and Jed Groenenboom, founder of Boreal Fire Protection, won the Emerging Leader of the Year Award. “I told myself that starting a company would be the best decision I ever made but never imagined this result!” he shared.
• BOMA Edmonton was a partner in the forward/slash economic summit, hosted on Sept. 28 by Edmonton Global. “This event is about all of us coming together and celebrating the opportunities here, and getting on the same page so that we can really be ambassadors for this region outside of this region,” president Lisa Baroldi told Amplomedia. “We don’t want to be a secret anymore!”
• Four Edmonton projects were named winners of the 2022 Prairie Design Awards including: the Capilano Library, which PCL Construction, Williams Engineering, and WSP worked on; the Paul Kane Park Redevelopment, which Arrow Engineering worked on; and CO*LAB, which Entuitive worked on.
• Alberta Health Services has announced the launch of a pilot project with Alberta Blue Cross, primary care providers, and the Yes Health mobile platform on a digital diabetes prevention program.
• Tanya Fir, associate minister of red tape reduction, said the government and Alberta Gaming, Liquor and Cannabis have undertaken several initiatives to support more than 5,300 bars and restaurants and more than 1,500 liquor stores across Alberta.
• Alberta Investment Management Corporation CEO Evan Siddall said AIMCo will not divest from fossil fuels, as other pension funds have done, but rather would be exploring opportunities to invest in oil and gas companies as a way to finance the transition to a low-carbon economy. “We don’t believe in (divestment) at all, as a strategy,” he said, arguing that the energy sector has been investing significantly in emissions reduction. “So we think that deserves our support and that’s where we will invest. And we think that’s where the returns are, too.”
• Alberta Investment Management Corporation CEO Evan Siddall also said requiring people to come back to the office is “tone-deaf” and that there has been “a relatively permanent shift” in the way people work. “Our philosophy at AIMCo is we’re all adults,” Siddall said. “Where you do this work doesn’t matter.”
• Three buildings at the University of Alberta have received clean air awards from the National Air Filtration Association. The buildings were nominated by BGE Indoor Air Quality Solutions.
• Canderel Group has received BOMA BEST Gold for Edmonton City Centre and 102A Tower.
• The City of Edmonton has signed the 30×30 Initiative Pledge to increase the number of women serving as peace officers in the Community Standards and Neighbourhoods branch. The city wants the number of women in the branch to grow from 19% to 30% of all officers by 2030.
• The City of Edmonton and Strathcona County recently showcased their new hydrogen fuel-cell buses at the Edmonton EV Expo. The buses will be piloted in both communities in 2023 as part of the Alberta Zero Emission Hydrogen Transit (AZEHT) initiative, which aims to give municipalities hands-on experience with the technology.

• According to Colliers International, Edmonton’s industrial vacancy rate has fallen by nearly a third over the past year as strong demand for logistics space continues. A total of 10 projects totalling 1.4 million square feet commenced during the third quarter.
• Edmonton’s office vacancy rate stood at 19% in the third quarter of 2022, according to new data from Colliers International.
• West Edmonton Mall is ahead of the curve in hosting ambitious events, a growing trend at Canadian shopping malls. “The job of the mall landlord has now shifted to be more hospitality-based,” said John Crombie, executive managing director of retail services at Cushman & Wakefield. “The concept of the mall is changing from a centre of transaction to a hub where community gathers.”
• The Downtown Recovery Coalition — which counts BOMA Edmonton, CBRE Limited, MLT Aikins LLP, Pangman Development Corporation, and Qualico Properties among its steering committee members — is calling for enhanced safety and security, increased cleanliness, and more investment for downtown. In the short term, the group would like to see more police officers near LRT station entrances and a more visible police presence throughout the downtown with officers “who are proactive in their patrols on foot and on bikes.” Longer-term, the coalition is calling for more recovery spaces for people struggling with addictions and homelessness.

• A spirit of collaboration has helped the Edmonton International Airport earn a global reputation as a leader in pharmaceutical logistics and innovative delivery, said Trevor Caswell, manager of demand and product development for cargo, after returning from Pharma.Aero‘s Pharma Logistics Masterclass in Abu Dhabi. YEG was also awarded the Future Travel Experience Global 2022 award for its sustainability initiatives, such as its solar farm and the use of hydrogen to decarbonize aircraft operations.
• Penguins visited the Stanley Milner library downtown as part of the Explore EPL campaign that aims to encourage Edmontonians back into Edmonton Public Library locations after years of pandemic-related closures and reduced services.
• The kīsikāw pīsim solar farm in the river valley in southwest Edmonton began generating power on Sept. 20. The development’s 30,350 solar panels, which cover 51 acres, will provide up to half of the energy to EPCOR’s E.L. Smith Water Treatment Plant. Energy not used can also be stored in batteries for later. EPCOR president Stuart Lee said the project would pay for itself by the end of its 25- to 30-year lifespan.
• The Fort McMurray Airport Authority has been nominated for two awards, in the categories of “Medium Business of the Year” and “Environment & Sustainability,” in Fort McMurray Chamber of Commerce’s 2022 Business Awards.
• Alberta saw more than $1 billion of investment in commercial real estate in the second quarter of 2022, according to the latest fall outlook from JLL. A total of 24 transactions in rental multi-family in Edmonton worth more than $185 million closed in the quarter, “nearly doubling the first quarter volume,” said Samuel Dean, senior-vice president of capital markets for multi-family at JLL.
• JW Marriott Edmonton ICE District is Alberta’s leading hotel and has the province’s leading hotel suite, according to the 2022 World Travel Awards. The hotel will be the site of BOMEX 2023, scheduled for Sept. 26-28, 2023.
• Thomas Burr of ONE Properties was part of a panel at the Canadian Apartment Investment Conference that discussed the intensification of existing properties. Multifamily housing is “a good hedge for inflation over the long haul and, with demographics as they are, we believe it will be a major part of our business,” he said. The company now has about 115 employees across its offices in Edmonton, Calgary, and Toronto.
• The 2022 census revealed that Strathcona County‘s population has grown by 2% in the last four years, bringing its total population to just over 100,000. “We’ve reached a milestone mark, over 100,000 people strong,” said Mayor Rod Frank. “It’s positive to see the County’s continued growth and reflects on what a great community this is to live, work and enjoy.”
• Strathcona County has agreed to a multi-year waste management  with Claystone Waste to receive, dispose of, and process all municipal solid waste beginning Jan. 1, 2023. “As a community, we have developed an ambitious waste management road map that focuses on waste reduction, reuse, recycling, and recovery. We look forward to continuing these strategies with Claystone Waste,” Mayor Rod Frank said in a release.
• A team led by University of Alberta computing scientist Eleni Stroulia is working on optimizing the century-old University Commons building (formerly known as the Dentistry/Pharmacy Centre) to reduce energy use and greenhouse gas emissions. The project, which received almost $650,000 in funding from the Canada Foundation for Innovation’s John R. Evans Leaders Fund, involves upgrading hardware and adding sensors and smart devices to better understand what’s going on in the building, as well as an app to gather feedback from occupants.
• The University of Alberta has released building-specific ventilation data to show which spaces may have a higher risk for COVID-19 transmission.

• AEDARSA hosted the sixth annual Alberta Elevator Industry Seminar in Edmonton and “looks forward to improving and growing AEIS in the coming years.”
• Alberta Investment Management Corporation has opened an office in downtown Calgary, its fourth satellite office. “Coupled with our headquarters in Edmonton, AIMCo’s Calgary office will provide an avenue for us to attract the high calibre of talent necessary to fulfill our purpose of helping our clients collectively secure a better financial future for the Albertans they serve,” said Krista Pell, chief human resources officer at AIMCo.”
• Aspen Properties recently showcased the newly renovated Bell Tower lobby in downtown Edmonton with catering from Smokehouse BBQ.
• Bunzl Cleaning & Hygiene celebrated the grand opening of its state-of-the-art facility in Edmonton on Sept 15 with food trucks, tours, and a vendor showcase.
• The Canterbury Foundation is set to open its brand new Enhanced Supportive Living with Palliative Care this month with 18 spaces for full dementia care support and specialized programming not offered anywhere else in Edmonton.
• CBRE Limited shared 10 high-impact moves that can reduce total cost of occupancy.
• Civida has announced the recipients of the 2022 Stars Awards which recognize the academic achievement and positive impact of youth in its housing programs.
• Civida also celebrated the grand opening of its Londonderry redevelopment.
• Cushman & Wakefield Edmonton said leasing is now open at Gateway Centre, located at 34 Avenue and Gateway Boulevard. “An ideal location for all quick service, sit-down, and drive-thru restaurants.”
• Field Law will open voting for the 2022 Field Law Community Fund Program on Oct. 6. A total of $75,000 will be awarded to recipients this year.
• The Fort McMurray Airport Authority in partnership with the Fort McMurray Chamber of Commerce is hosting a networking luncheon on Oct. 6 to discuss the economic and business development opportunities related to the new direct flights to Tuscon, Arizona.
• GDI Integrated Facility Services shared a colouring book called “The Hospital Activity Book for Children” that it supported. Up to 5,000 books will be distributed to participating hospitals and healthcare centres.

• GWL Realty Advisors shared that IBM Canada has moved into the First and Jasper Building, taking 8,200 square feet on the 20th floor. The deal was facilitated by CBRE Limited.
• Members of the JEN COL Construction team participated in the 47th annual NAIT bridge-building competition — the first since 2019 — finishing with the third-fastest time of the day. “We’re proud to support and participate in events like this to build bridges between students and our industry while also helping collect food donations for Edmonton’s Food Bank.”
• KV Capital has launched KV RE Equity Partners Fund I, a real estate private equity fund to be led by Darin Rayburn.
• MacEwan University has announced plans to build a new School of Business as part of its strategic vision. The seven-storey building will be on the corner of 109 Street and 105 Avenue. The university expects to reach enrolment of 30,000 students by 2030.
• Local ONE Properties employees recently took part in Explore Edmonton’s Corporate Cleanup Challenge on Whyte Avenue. “Our employees stepped up to the challenge to give back to the community and make these shared spaces a little more enjoyable to use.”
• PCL Construction released its 2021 corporate social responsibility report, updating its progress on reducing construction-related carbon emissions, building infrastructure to provide clean energy, and leveraging renewable materials.
• Servis Realty shared five tips on how to become successful in real estate investing, starting with “buy low.”
• Servus Credit Union has released its financial records for the third quarter and reports it has surpassed $18 billion in assets in mid-Q3 despite market volatility. “Achieving this milestone at this time in history is a testament to the trust that our members have in Servus,” said president and CEO Ian Burns.
• WCB Alberta has launched a new fit-for-work dashboard. “This new tool provides you with the information you need to collaborate and confirm modified work opportunities.”
• WSP Canada will design two hydrogen production and refuelling facilities in Calgary and Edmonton for ATCO Group and Canadian Pacific, as part of the Hydrogen Locomotive Program. Construction is expected to begin later this year.

• Aspen Properties chief commercial officer Jorge Blanco has been named to the 2023 HITEC 100 list of the most influential and notable Hispanic professionals in the technology industry.
• First Onsite Restoration has partnered with Alert Labs, a provider of solutions for real-time water usage monitoring, flood detection, and analytics. “The partnership will help First Onsite’s commercial clients proactively minimize water damage, reducing emergency repairs and disruptions to building services while improving water conservation efforts,” it said.
• Stantec has been awarded a US$30 million indefinite delivery/indefinite quantity (IDIQ) contract by the Naval Facilities Engineering Systems Command (NAVFAC) Southwest. “We’re honoured to continue working with the U.S. Navy and NAVFAC on these critical encroachment and mission readiness projects,” said Bill Halperin, president of Stantec Government Services. “This contract will support the U.S. Navy’s mission and ensure resiliency through providing innovative solutions to encroachment challenges.”

• TC Energy said it will invest $146 million to build the Saddlebrook solar project near Aldersyde, south of Calgary. The project will generate 81 megawatts once it is completed in 2023.
• Wolseley announced the continuation of the Wolseley Canada Indigenous Bursary, which provides Indigenous students across Canada with funding for post-secondary education. The company donated $25,000 which the federal government matched.

• Action Electrical, launched in 1973 by Don Bunting, has grown into a thriving corporation with four divisions and more than 100 staff. “We choose our key people and allow them to grow into their positions so they can be successful in ways that are meaningful and attainable for them,” said Bunting.
• Alberta Gaming, Liquor and Cannabis has revised its rules so that cannabis stores are allowed to remove window coverings and have products be visible from outside. In a letter to stores, the AGLC said the decision was made following a “significant rise” in robberies. However, the letter warned stores not to take the opportunity to display street-facing promotions, which remain forbidden under federal cannabis advertising restrictions.
• Alberta Health Services has announced the launch of a pilot project with Alberta Blue Cross, primary care providers, and the Yes Health mobile platform on a digital diabetes prevention program.
• Alberta Health Services is outsourcing the rest of its food vendors in Edmonton and Calgary, entering into negotiations with Aramark, Compass, and Sodexo to provide food at facilities such as the University of Alberta Hospital, Royal Alexandra Hospital, and Glenrose Rehabilitation Hospital.
• Real estate investments in Edmonton saw a strong second quarter with a $930-million increase to $1.46 billion. The largest transaction of 2022 so far is the $60-million purchase of 150 acres by Air Products for its hydrogen power project. Another big purchase saw the sale of 60.6 acres of agricultural land at 18103 17 St. NE for $3.35 million, which broker Avison Young sees as a potential residential development.
• Avison Young noted a significant increase in foot traffic in the downtown core in the second quarter of 2022, with the average weekly visitor volume rising from 4,314 in April to 9,432 by the end of May, a period that coincided with the Oilers’ playoff run. “This dramatic increase in foot traffic (over 100%) is approximately 2,000 persons higher than the previously highest observed point since Avison Young began tracking this data in 2019,” the firm said.
• Canadian Western Bank president and CEO Chris Fowler spoke with CEO Magazine about competing with the big banks. “What we are able to do is pay more attention to clients and provide a differentiated level of service,” he said. “And provide an alternative in Canada to those very large banks.”
• Several landlords are offering “aggressive incentives” such as early occupancy and higher tenant improvement allowances to try to address downtown Edmonton’s high vacancy rate, according to CBRE. Taylor Riar, a senior associated with Colliers International in Edmonton, said things could be looking up. “I think we’re very close to where the bottom of the market is,” he said. “We are starting to turn the corner based on the level of activity that we’re seeing.”
• CBRE blogged about how vice-president Trevor Schmidt has helped the Little Potato Co. expand into new facilities four times since 2006, including the latest move into a 240,000-square-foot custom-designed and fully automated production facility in Nisku. “To have an agricultural processing facility there, it’s a welcome new use,” Schmidt said, noting diversification in an area that has tended to concentrate on the energy service sector.
• The Edmonton International Airport (YEG) has been named the first host of the start.hub logistics, to be held during a major air cargo forum in Miami. Mammen Tharakan, director of e-commerce, cargo, and aviation real estate for YEG, welcomed the opportunity to participate in an event that is “creating a new space for entrepreneurs committed to sustainable innovation to connect with logistics leaders from around the world.”
• Hydra Energy, which converts heavy-duty trucks from gas to hydrogen, announced that its first hydrogen-powered armoured vehicle will begin making return-to-base trips around the Edmonton area. It is owned by Veteran Express Secure Logistics (VEXSL), which aims to convert almost all of its armoured fleet to hydrogen and use refuelling infrastructure at the Edmonton International Airport.
• The federal government announced the launch of the Net-Zero Challenge to recognize businesses that are developing cleaner means of doing business. The Edmonton Regional Airports Authority is one of the 12 founding members committed to developing and implementing credible and effective plans to transition their facilities and operations to net-zero emissions by 2050.
• The Edmonton Police Service has launched a $50,000 challenge through the Community Solutions Accelerator to seek ideas and technological innovations to address the problem of catalytic converter thefts. EPS said thefts in Edmonton have increased 219% over the last three years. The deadline for entries is Nov. 30.
• The Edmonton Police Service has partnered with Accident Support Services International Ltd. to open two new Collision Reporting Centre in Edmonton this fall.

• The Robert Tegler Trust Outreach Service at the Edmonton Public Library is helping to get resources into the hands of at-risk Edmontonians. Outside the office is a phone that connects people to one of three social workers, who offer help in accessing housing, navigating the justice system, finding mental health supports, and more. “A lot of people have in their minds that a library is just a place to read or get books or maybe go on the computer, but the library is actually at the front lines have a lot of social issues,” said outreach worker Hilary Kirkpatrick. The service saw 1,084 interactions in 2021 and 1,057 so far in 2022.
• EPCOR will start adding orthophosphate to Edmonton’s water in early 2023 to prevent lead from leaching into the supply. The addition of the odourless, colourless chemical was delayed for two years, in part because of the pandemic. About 1.6% of Edmonton homes have lead pipes, EPCOR says.
• Field Law managing partner Jeremiah Kowalchuk said retention issues are impacting law firms across the country with an “unprecedentedly high” number of lawyers moving jobs. “That has driven salary compensation up, which, of course, is a challenge for all firms to meet,” he said.
• Tony Prsa, vice president of Alberta for Harvard Developments, told Taproot Edmonton that while Windermere now has a critical mass of businesses organically pulling others in, the groundwork was laid by developers convincing companies of the promise of the neighbourhood.
• JLL reported strong transaction activity in the second quarter, at $426 million in Edmonton. CEO Alan MacKenzie said there’s a shrinking pool of buyers for class-B and -C office product in markets like Calgary and Edmonton.
• JW Marriott Edmonton ICE District has been named “Alberta’s Leading Hotel” for the third straight year and its presidential suite earned “Alberta’s Leading Hotel Suite” in the 2022 World Travel Awards.
• ONE Properties president and CEO Darren Durstling was featured in the Spring 2022 edition of Canadian Real Estate Forum’s magazine. He suggested some of the inflationary and logistical challenges facing builds in Toronto are less of a concern in Edmonton, though everyone is dealing with high construction costs. The edition also includes comments from Elan MacDonald, University of Alberta‘s VP of External Relations, Dave Young with CBRE Limited, and Cory Wosnack with Avison Young.
• The Oilers Entertainment Group could be planning to launch a new all-access show similar to Oil Change which ran from 2010 to 2014.
• ONE Properties is celebrating 35 years in business with a feature in Business in Edmonton magazine in which CEO Darren Durstling touched on what’s next. “We will be focusing on investment and development in our core competencies of industrial, multi-family and retail real estate, and our capabilities in property and asset management to create economic value in our communities for our partners and our employees.”
• The return of an eight-metre high digital sign on 109 Street has been approved, after Pattison Outdoor Advertising successfully appealed a City of Edmonton decision to ban the billboard. “109 Street is a commercial corridor for which freestanding digital … signs are reasonably compatible,” said a ruling from the Edmonton Subdivision and Development Appeal Board.
• PCL Construction is expecting its solar revenue to be close to $800 million by the end of 2022. “It’s an exciting time for Canada, we’re seeing a country that is very diverse in how we generate our electricity,” PCL’s director of solar, Andrew Moles, told SustainableBiz.
• Primavera Development Corp. president Ken Cantor said his company plans to relocate the four University of Alberta Ring Houses, along with two East Campus Village houses, to a new arts and community hub in McCauley. “We’ll be incorporating the Ring Houses into a single, brand-new structure that will respect where they came from and what they were used for and the sense of community that they’ve had.”
• Rohit Group of Companies president Rohit Gupta spoke about his company’s history, innovative partnerships, and his own personal journey on a recent episode of the Business Council of Alberta’s podcast.
• The University of Alberta has named Riya Ganguly as the Associate Vice-President, Enterprise. This new role will assist the U of A as it looks to be an international leader who will collaborate with industry on projects to benefit innovation initiatives in Edmonton and the global communities.
• University of Alberta president Bill Flanagan said more than 42,000 students are registered this year, the school’s highest enrolment ever. He hopes to top 50,000 in the next few years.
• The University of Alberta has offered a look inside University Commons, “an exciting blend of the history of the former Dentistry/Pharmacy Centre with a renewed purpose to serve our diverse community now and into the future.”

• Ainsworth shared tips to keep students and staff safe while improving indoor air quality as everyone goes back to school.
• Alberta Blue Cross celebrated the naming of its downtown Edmonton wellness space as Pisani Plaza, chosen in honour of former president and CEO Ray Pisani.
• The Faces of Wellness campaign from Alberta Blue Cross is back for another year. Nominations for Albertans who are everyday champions for wellness in their communities are being accepted until Nov. 1.
• Allmar is celebrating 65 years in business this summer. “Allmar operates in 13 cities across Canada, and we enjoy meeting our customers’ needs for architectural hardware, doors and frames, access control, miscellaneous specialties, security products, automatic operators and much more.”
• Altus Group has been recognized as the “Overall Real Estate Data Solution Provider of the Year” by PropTech Breakthrough’s 2022 Awards program.
• Bunzl Cleaning & Hygiene will celebrate the grand opening of its new Edmonton location at 12642 184 Street NW on Sept. 15 with food trucks, facility tours, and door prizes.
• Canderel West has published its 2021 ESG Report, which highlights a 2.9% reduction in energy use compared to 2020, and 9.5 million square feet of leasable space LEED and BOMA BEST certified.
• The City of St. Albert has published its 2022-2025 Corporate Business Plan which aims to balance “maintaining the high standards expected for delivery of existing services and programs with financial realities and forward-thinking activities.”

• From Creative Door Services, here are eight ways to make your garage more eco-friendly.
• Several Cushman & Wakefield Edmonton partners and associates provided updates on the state of the office market, the state of the multi-family market, older B and C class retail space, and high demand for industrial properties in Edmonton.
• Epic Investment Services announced that HSBC Place in Edmonton has achieved LEED Gold certification.
• First Onsite Restoration shared three tips to help businesses mitigate wildfire damage.
• Hi Signs – The Fath Group has partnered with The Warm Hand Foundation to collect and distribute warm clothing for those in need this fall and winter.
• ONE Properties said its Northwest Business Park – Building 5 property at 13431 149 Street in Edmonton has achieved BOMA BEST Gold certification. “Sustainable features of the property include a high-performance building envelope, highly efficient and controllable HVAC and lighting, and frequent tenant engagement initiatives to support occupant well-being.”
• Justin Nand, an accountant with Pace Technologies, offered advice to new students in a feature for Techlifetoday. “Don’t simply go to NAIT, be part of it. Get involved on campus with clubs, volunteering, athletics and skills competitions.”

• Altus Group CEO Jim Hannon spoke about his plans for the company and his views on proptech in the near and longer term.
• Anthem Properties has acquired two new industrial buildings in southeast Calgary and a three-parcel land assembly in Vancouver.
• GFL Environmental received the NWRA 2022 Recycling Facility of the Year Award for its Multi Material Recycling Campus in Toronto, while GFL Liquids Canada was named as a finalist in Canada’s Safest Employers “Best Health, Safety and Environment Management Program” category.

• Manulife Real Estate partnered with Panattoni Development to purchase 122 acres from the City of Calgary, marking a return to Calgary after years of focusing on sites in Edmonton.
• A total of 60 MLT Aikins LLP lawyers have been recognized in the 2023 edition of Best Lawyers in Canada.
• Spartan Controls is now a member of Advanced Biofuels Canada.
• Allison Mayos, a property team lead with WSP Canada, has been named a 2022 40 Under 40 by Mass Transit Magazine.

• Alberta Blue Cross has launched its own flight delay service powered by Blink Parametric, enabling policyholders to register for flight delay coverage up to one hour ahead of their departure time. “This is an exciting move with Alberta Blue Cross and we are delighted to further strengthen our partnership with Blue Cross across Canada,” said Blink Parametric CEO Sid Mouncey.
• According to the latest Raise the Bar report published by Restaurants Canada, Alberta has the friendliest policies for liquor licensees. “We’ve reduced red tape by more than a third and continue to work to remove barriers for business,” shared Alberta Gaming, Liquor and Cannabis.
• The Fort Saskatchewan Community Hospital has received a $400,000 grant from Alberta Infrastructure to upgrade the facility’s heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HAVC) system.
• Alberta Investment Management Corporation is considering Singapore rather than Hong Kong as its first office in Asia. Though just 2% of AIMCo’s $8.2 billion in private equity assets were in Asia last year, it plans to increase its allocation to Asia-based investments.
• According to a new report from Altus Group, commercial real estate investment in Canada is experiencing a major resurgence, with $23.8 billion in transaction activity in the first quarter of 2022.
• Anthem Properties said its D’Arcy Crossing development in Okotoks is now 70% leased. Senior director Isaac Beall said he expects it will be fully leased by the April 1, 2023 scheduled opening date. “It will be filled out with the smaller operators that come later, food service operators, doctors, dentists, hair salons, those kinds of things,” he said.
• Of the five buildings in Alberta with some level of Well certification from the International Well Building Institute, three are in Edmonton: HSBC Place and Manulife Place, which are gold-certified, and the CBRE Edmonton office, which is silver. The CBRE Calgary office is the first in Alberta to achieve platinum certification.
• Edmonton has moved up three spots from last year to place 35th on CBRE‘s Scoring Tech Talent report, based on an analysis of labour market conditions, cost, and quality of highly skilled tech workers in North America. It ranked seventh among Canadian locations.
• Paul Gemmel, senior vice-president of capital markets for CBRE Edmonton, has retired after 27 years and more than $4 billion in commercial property sales.
• Edmonton’s industrial market is “red hot with low vacancies,” according to a report from Business in Edmonton Magazine. Demand for industrial space has been growing thanks to continued investment in the region and rising WTI crude oil prices. “Our challenge in the industrial market is just pure supply. There’s not a lot,” explained David Young of CBRE.
• Marvin Schmidt, a senior wealth advisor with CIBC in Edmonton, is building dozens of schools in Guatemala. “Our mission to simplify the wealth of our clients exists alongside our social mission to change lives one school at a time,” he said.
• Edmonton’s downtown office vacancy rate has risen more than 2% over the past year, reaching 19.2% by the end of June, according to the latest office market report from Colliers International. That’s up from 18.5% at the end of the first quarter and is the highest rate since 1986.
• The Edmonton International Airport will receive $100 million through the federal government’s National Trade Corridors Fund to convert around 2,000 acres of land into an international cargo handling operation. Tom Ruth, CEO of EIA, said improving air capacity and market access is a driver for small- and medium-sized business growth and that the hub will be a “vital trade corridor for Canada” and “transformational for the Edmonton Metro Region.”
• Edmonton Police Service Chief Dale McFee said controlled entrances at liquor stores are effective at reducing thefts and robberies, and should be implemented industry-wide. “We know that controlled entrances work, and it’s time to make them the industry-wide standard,” he said.

• Innovate Edmonton and the Edmonton Public Library have teamed up to offer a free four-part series that teaches the fundamentals of entrepreneurship. Designed to help participants develop ideas into pitchable business plans, Innovation U began on July 7 and runs until Oct. 6, both online and in-person at the Stanley A. Milner library downtown.
• The RiverWatch Institute of Alberta is once again offering its interpretive rafting tours, called Eco Floats, funded by EPCOR. This year, the guided experience begins at the Laurier Park Boat Launch and ends at Dawson Park, passing under nine bridges and past well-known sites like Accidental Beach. “It’s a little bit of a historical view of the city,” said guide River Hoffos, “but it’s also just an enlightening view of the city because you start to realize how much green we have and how beautiful our river valley is.”
• EPCOR and Stantec were among the 50 companies named to the Corporate Knights list of Canada’s best corporate citizens for 2022.

• P.F. Chang’s has officially opened in Windermere, the American chain’s third location in Canada. “We are thrilled that they have chosen our development for their first location in Alberta, and we know that this will be a one-of-a-kind culinary experience that will attract visitors not only from our city but our entire province,” said Tony Prsa, vice president of Alberta for Harvard Developments.
• The City of Edmonton has officially named the intersection at 104 Street and Whyte Avenue as Pride Corner, complete with rainbow-coloured signs donated by Hi Signs – The Fath Group. The city first recognized the site as Pride Corner in May, following a petition that garnered more than 10,000 signatures.
• JLL‘s vice president of retail Paul Raimundo spoke with Retail Insider about Edmonton’s struggling downtown retail sector. “Going forward, there is some really good momentum in downtown in general,” he said. “As we turn the corner at the end of summer, I fully anticipate a much stronger fall as it relates to consumers in the downtown core.”
• MacEwan University‘s growing enrolment is good news for downtown, says president and vice-chancellor Annette Trimbee in an op-ed for Postmedia. “Our grads become the business and community leaders who are building a more diverse and resilient future for Edmonton and Alberta,” she wrote. MacEwan plans to increase the size of its student body by 60% over the next 10 years.
• According to the latest Consumer Debt Index published by MNP, nearly seven in 10 Albertans are already feeling the effects of rising interest rates and one third are cutting back on essentials.
• Aster Gardens, a 157-suite fully independent living seniors residence, held its grand opening in Strathcona County recently. A $50 million investment from Pangman Development Corporation, along with Optima Living and the founders of Synergy Wellness Centre, made the facility possible.
• Strathcona County has entered into a memorandum of understanding with the Sherwood Park Crusaders Hockey Society for a new $85 million Sherwood Park Event Centre.
• The University of Alberta‘s business administration program was ranked the best in Canada and 30th in the world, according to the 2022 Global Ranking of Academic Subjects. “We are delighted to see our world-class research highlighted in this prestigious global ranking,” said Kyle Murray, interim dean of the Alberta School of Business. The university also jumped 12 spots to rank 113th in the Rankometer 2022 World University Rankings, which combine results from five respected global rankings.
• Dr. Riya Ganguly, the University of Alberta‘s associate vice-president of enterprise, spoke to the Economic Development Matters podcast about the university’s role in supporting the commercialization of innovation.

• Alberta Investment Management Corporation has announced a series of acquisitions, including a 94% stake in Constantine Energy Storage, a 100% stake in Cando Rail & Terminals, and a £283 million build-to-rent portfolio from the UK’s Angelo Gordon.
• Construction is complete at King Edward Park, the first of five new supportive housing sites in Edmonton developed in collaboration with Homeward Trust. Arrow Engineering, which worked on the project, said its team was thankful to have contributed.
• Backwoods Energy has announced a partnership with Carvel Electric to “better provide local companies with a greater array of services, backed by solid performance in each area.” Both companies are Indigenous-owned. “The Backwoods Energy Services and Carvel Electric partnership is the future of thriving Indigenous partnerships,” said Carvel president and CEO Jordan Jolicoeur.
• Visionstate and partner Bunzl Cleaning & Hygiene announced the launch of its WANDA IoT technology at a hospital in Belgium.
• Bunzl Cleaning & Hygiene has published the summer edition of Cleaning Up, with a feature on tackling today’s top cleaning challenges.
• The City of St. Albert said the Business Beautification Grant — which is available retroactively as far back as Jan. 1, 2022 — will cover up to 50% of the improvement expenses for storefronts to a maximum of $2,500.
• Civida celebrated the “incredible progress” being made on its Lendrum development project which will consist of 120 homes when it opens next year.
• Cowan Graphics worked with Tecna Display on vibrant new retail signage for Freson Bros. stores across Alberta.

• Cushman & Wakefield Edmonton said the Fresh and Healthy Café in the Market at Summerside is now open. It also shared a sneak peek at an upcoming video discussing Edmonton’s commercial real estate market over the last quarter.
• GWL Realty Advisors said it has seen “a significant increase” in office space inquiries since the start of the year, and that leasing activity is “returning to pre-pandemic times with more long-term leases.”
• Keller Construction announced the successful renovation and modernization of Edmonton Catholic Schools’ Lumen Christi Catholic Education Centre, which will now be home to more than 300 employees.
• MLT Aikins LLP congratulated Milt Christiansen on his retirement after 40 years of “outstanding dedication” to the firm.
• Servis Realty shared four tips for successful commercial property investment.
• Sparkling Clean Canada shared the top four benefits of hiring office cleaning services.
• TC Energy said the 670-kilometre Coastal GasLink project is approximately 70% complete. The project is now expected to cost $11.2 billion, a 70% increase from the original estimate. “I want to reaffirm that we continue to see the Coastal GasLink project as economically viable and we anticipate mechanical in-service by the end of 2023, followed by commissioning and commercial in-service,” said CEO Francois Poirier.
• Tremco has introduced the AlphaGrade Restoration System for gravel-surfaced built-up roofs.
• Truspace business development executive Tyler Prychidny wrote that the company’s unique process enables it to offer an accurate enhanced feasibility study within just two to three weeks. “Our process is so expedient and effective because everyone involved in the design and construction project works in-house.”

• Daily Hive published a look at Amazon’s offices in downtown Toronto, two of which are owned by BentallGreenOak (Canada) LP and QuadReal Property Group.
• EPCOR has completed a US$48 million expansion of the Luke 303 Regional Water Reclamation Facility in the Phoenix metropolitan area, and has begun construction on the new Copper Basin Water Reclamation Facility also in Arizona.
• Epic Investment Services and Windmill Developments have announced the closing of the second and final round of funding for the One Plant Living Real Estate Fund.
• First Capital REIT has acquired the Amberlea Shopping Centre in Pickering, Ontario, and has submitted a planning application for the redevelopment of its 895 Lawrence Avenue East property in Toronto’s Don Mills neighbourhood.

• Jani-King has been selected to perform the in-game and post-game cleaning as the official cleaning company of the Ottawa Titans.
• MacEwan University professor Robin Woywitka said in a recently published paper that people were living around Fort McMurray at least 11,000 years ago. “Fort McMurray has been a nexus for millennia. It’s attracted people forever,” Woywitka said.
• PCL said its first solar project in Australia has been substantially completed for Canadian Solar.
• Stantec has been selected as the program management consultant for the Iona Island Wastewater Treatment Plant (IIWWTP) projects in Vancouver.
• Summit Industrial Income REIT has acquired the remaining 50% ownership interest in the recently constructed light industrial property in the Hanlon Creek Business Park in Guelph, Ontario.

• Among the honourees at the Canadian Public Relations Society (CPRS) Awards of Excellence was Alberta Blue Cross for The Wellness Summit, as well as for its Faces of Wellness campaign and in-house team of the year.
• Built Together, the program from Alberta Blue Cross that offers $50,000 grants for infrastructure projects designed to foster active living, has funded 38 projects across the province since its inception in 2013 for a total of $1.85 million. Applications for this year remain open until Sept. 15.
• Alberta Infrastructure said it has already implemented many of the recommendations made by Alberta’s auditor general to enhance and improve its construction procurement processes.
• The Globe and Mail took a look at the upgrades landlords are making in downtown office buildings to compete with the new towers sprouting up around Rogers Place. “We’re seeing a flight to quality, to new products that have state-of-the-art HVAC and mechanical systems, larger floor plates and offer lifestyle and amenity-rich environments and social hubs,” said Mark Hartum of Avison Young principal.
• Commerce South Office Park – Building B, which is owned and managed by BentallGreenOak, was recognized as a leader in energy efficiency by ENERGY STAR Canada. It was named a “building of the year” in the office category for existing commercial and institutional buildings that demonstrate energy efficiency.
• Edmonton’s Laura Sharen, senior property manager at Canderel Management (West) Inc., was recognized by BOMA International as one of five regional members of the year at the organization’s 2022 TOBY Awards.
• The Edmonton Police Service is asking businesses and homeowners to voluntarily register the location of security cameras in a new program called Public Camera Registry. “Residential and business security cameras often record evidence that can be used to investigate and, in many cases, solve a crime,” Sgt. Blake Schols said in a news release. “By choosing to register their home or business cameras, not only will citizens contribute to the enhanced safety of their community, but they will help reduce the time required for officers to complete an investigation by assisting in the identification of individuals involved in a crime.”
• EPCOR has received an Outstanding Subscriber Award for Applied Research from the Water Research Foundation for its involvement in more than 50 WRF research projects. “We see great value in the work of the WRF, its long history of advocating for the water and wastewater sector, and its role as a catalyst for innovation and change,” said Jeff Charrois, senior manager of analytical operations and process development.
• Levitt Safety was recognized with the 2021 AD Best Workplace award from AD Industrial & Safety-Canada.
• Design students from MacEwan University came up with some design solutions to transit safety issues as part of a partnership with Edmonton Transit Services. Third-year student Vik Chu conceptualized an app that lets trusted contacts know when a trip is completed successfully, while fourth-year student Lisa Cox developed infographics about existing safety tools that will soon be implemented by ETS.

• Qualico Properties celebrated the beginning of Phase 2 of the Station Lands project, which will bring a new tower and 600 residential units to downtown Edmonton. The groundbreaking was welcomed by Holly Mah, chairwoman of the Chinatown Business Association. “The investments being made here at Station Lands by Qualico and their partners is such an important signal of their belief in the future of this historically and culturally rich part of Edmonton,” she said.
• Qualico Properties held a grand opening on June 21 for Maskêkosihk Trail, a newly completed two-kilometre stretch of arterial road that is the first major roadway in the city to be given a Cree name. “Renaming this significant roadway in honour of the Cree First Nations is a show of respect and acknowledgement for the fact that we are creating new communities on Treaty 6 Territory,” the company said in a news release.
• A new report published by the Business Council of Alberta recommends that Alberta become a global leader in carbon capture and storage, expand the use of new innovations in agriculture, and invest more in health and medical care advancements. Solving global challenges related to energy, food security, and wellness could lead to a more prosperous future for the province. Rohit Group of Companies president Rohit Gupta was a member of the executive task force that guided the project.
• ServiceMaster Restore has celebrated its 20th anniversary, having grown to more than 140 staff members working out of a 40,000 square foot warehouse. “We’re looking forward to what can be accomplished in the next 20 years,” said co-founder Grant Miller.
• Spartan Controls and TC Energy are among the sponsors of the second CarbonTech accelerator, launched by Avatar Innovations, which runs until Oct. 27.
• The University of Alberta has launched Braiding Past, Present and Future — the school’s first formally endorsed Indigenous strategic plan — which aims to respond to the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC)’s calls to action and bring Indigenous worldviews, histories, and knowledge to all its programs, Postmedia reports. “The plan recognizes our collective responsibility to acknowledge our history and to honour those who came before us and to follow the seven sacred teachings — love, respect, honesty, courage, wisdom, and humility,” wrote Florence Glanfield, the first vice-provost of Indigenous programming and research, who led the creation of the plan in consultation with an Indigenous Advisory Council.
• The University of Alberta has moved up 16 places to rank 110th in the latest QS World University Rankings, placing it in the top 8% globally and fourth in Canada. The ranking follows its best ever showing in the CWUR World University Rankings for 2022, where it came in 77th out of nearly 20,000 universities.

• Ainsworth won the Million Dollar Club Award at the Schneider Electric Canada BMS ExoZpert Partner Event, and also re-qualified as a Master EcoXpert Partner for 2022.
• Alberta Blue Cross celebrated a successful Wellness Summit in collaboration with the National Wellness Institute. On-demand and pre-recorded sessions are available until Aug. 31.
• Alberta Gaming, Liquor and Cannabis was a partner for the Alberta Gambling Research Institute’s 21st annual conference that took place in Banff from June 23-25. AGLC said its GameSense program is active in all 28 casinos across Alberta.
• AIMCo also said its Foundation for Financial Education is now accepting grant applications for 2022. Last year more than $200,000 in grants were delivered. The deadline to apply is Aug. 1.
• Artis REIT announced it has increased its position in the Dream Office REIT to 14%.
• Backwoods Energy was recognized with the Best Innovation in Safety Practices award at Trans Mountain’s recent awards banquet.
• CBRE Limited has published its latest Retail Tech report, identifying four ways that tech is providing opportunities for retail sales growth and operational efficiency.
• Civida has welcomed Dr. Adil Kodian, an executive vice president with the Rohit Group of Companies, to its board of directors. Kodian is also a co-founder of Tech2.Build.
• Civida also published its 2021 annual report. “Civida faced many challenges in 2021, none larger than maintaining the safety and security of the homes we provide,” wrote interim CEO Mark Hoosein.

• In two new videos, Cushman & Wakefield Edmonton‘s Nicholas Mytopher and Zeshan Qureshi discussed opportunities available in Edmonton’s office market and the risks that industrial landlords have faced recently.
• The latest episode of First Capital Realty‘s podcast The Explainer looks at how Stackt Market is revolutionizing retail with its shipping container marketplace.
• First Capital Realty has installed beehives on the rooftops of several of its properties in support of its five-year ESG roadmap.
• The Fort McMurray Airport Authority shared that Elder Betty Woodward from Fort McMurray 468 First Nation recorded a new Treaty 8 land acknowledgement in both English and Cree for the terminal.
• According to its 2021 annual review, GWL Realty Advisors completed almost $600 million of transaction activity and achieved a fifth consecutive GRESB 5 Star ranking for its managed portfolio.
• Roof Maintenance Solutions has started to incorporate aerial drones into its daily projects. “Drone scans are conducted in a fraction of the time as a traditional roof review and eliminate the fall risk associated with it.”
• Servus Credit Union announced that its members saved a combined total of $400 million during its Big Share Contest which ran from Jan. 1 to April 30.
• TC Energy showcased its progress on environmental, social, and governance matters at its inaugural ESG Forum on June 14.
• WSP Canada shared an overview of its work across Canada via The Great Canadian Innovation Road Trip.

• Allmar is working on Ofiswerks, a newly developed office and flex strata project in Vancouver’s Mount Pleasant neighbourhood.
• Altus Group cautioned that Montreal’s downtown office vacancy rate could reach 25% by 2027 in a worst-case scenario of employees working from home and tenants continuing to reduce space.
• BDO has launched the Nonprofit Excellence Accelerator grants program in collaboration with Imagine Canada.
• Several Entuitive team members spoke with UrbanToronto.ca about the company’s work on the Port Lands bridges, described as “perhaps the most innovative and arresting architectural pieces to adorn the waterfront in decades.”
• Epic Investment Services has partnered with workplace-as-a-service company Industrious to bring its first Canadian flexible workplace to Toronto.

• GWL Realty Advisors was recognized by BOMA International with two awards for properties in downtown Toronto — in the corporate facility and historical building categories — at the TOBY Awards in Nashville.
• QuadReal Property Group won a BILD Award for Project of the Year (Mid/High Rise) for Grand Festival, its project in partnership with Menkes Developments at Assembly Park in Vaughan.
• Indianapolis has selected Stantec to lead the construction of its zero-emission Blue Line Bus Rapid Transit (BRT).
• Summit Industrial Income REIT said it will acquire a 174,790 square foot Class A property portfolio in Mississauga for $59.3 million.

• Alberta Infrastructure has issued a request for proposal for design work for a $20 million upgrade to the Alberta Legislature fountains and plaza. Construction could start next spring and be complete by 2024.
• A deal leasing 548,000 square feet in APEX Business Park to MTE Logistix is Edmonton’s largest industrial lease of 2022 and one of the city’s top five largest-ever in a speculative build. “Closing such a sizeable deal before a facility is even built sends a strong signal that growth is coming from within the Edmonton market as well as from groups outside,” said Rob Iwaschuk of Avison Young.
• JL Developments has purchased 27 acres of land from Cameron Development Corp. and Choice Properties REIT to be developed into residential units, commercial space, and new park space in Edmonton’s Clareview neighbourhood.
• Canadian Western Bank is financing a new production facility for Odd Company Brewing, helping the craft brewery accommodate new equipment and increase output.
• Edmonton’s Revillon Boardwalk Building is in the midst of a major redevelopment that will update the historic building with modern amenities and a sleek facelift. “The Revillon Boardwalk has been a hidden gem in the middle of downtown for decades,” said CBRE Edmonton sales representative Ryan O’Shaughnessy. “Now it’s being polished and getting ready for primetime.” The project is expected to be substantially completed later this year.
• CBRE Limited reports that demand in Alberta’s industrial market is rebounding.
• Edmonton is well-placed for growth in the industrial property sector, several speakers at last month’s Edmonton Real Estate Forum said. CBRE Limited‘s Gregg Maimann said the market has matured through downturns in 2008 and 2014, Edmonton International Airport‘s Myron Keehn said the city’s location along routes to Asia is an asset, and BentallGreenOak‘s Scott Sharples said to expect big deals. According to Colliers International, Edmonton’s industrial vacancy rate was at 4.6% at the end of the first quarter, down from 5.4% at the end of 2021.
• The Edmonton Public Library has launched a new pilot program called Ready. Set. READ! to support childhood literacy in 2,000 families across 13 neighbourhoods. The program, which delivers one book a month to participating children up to the age of five, costs $660,000 over five years to run, CTV News reports.
• The Edmonton Public Library‘s gift of free rental space and the use of its robots helped bring the INDIGital program from the Indigenous Friends Association to Edmonton. The program merges technology and traditional teachings to give Indigenous young adults digital skills and deeper connections to their communities.
• EPCOR‘s solar farm in the river valley has been named kīsikāw pīsim, Cree for “daylight sun.” Chief Billy Morin of the Enoch Cree Nation said the name was determined during a pipe ceremony earlier this year.
• Canadian Lawyer featured Jennifer Addison for her work on building and leading the sustainability strategy for EPCOR. “We’re striving for environmental stewardship, and improving the quality of life for our communities,” Addison said.
• KV Capital has announced Darin Rayburn, former CEO of Melcor Developments, as the leader of its newest division, Real Estate Equity Partners.
• MacEwan University has signed a memorandum of understanding with the Edmonton International Airport to collaborate on new internship and research opportunities for students and faculty and “create new jobs through innovation.” The school recently signed similar agreements with the Edmonton Elks, a handful of domestic and international hydrogen companies, and KLM Royal Dutch Airlines.
• Stewart MacDonald, president of the Oilers Entertainment Group, said the Oilers playoff run has drawn people back to downtown. “It really was the vision, you know, eight, 10 years ago when Rogers Place was first conceived and designed and the impact it could have in downtown,” he said.

• A community rally held in support of the Edmonton Oilers last month during the Battle of Alberta turned Churchill Square into a sea of orange and blue. “The city has been absolutely electric,” said Oilers Entertainment Group communications and gaming executive vice president Tim Shipton. “We can feel it every single day. The team can feel it. The passion that exists in the city for the Oilers.”
• Several participants in the recent Edmonton Real Estate Forum suggested that improving Edmonton’s 19.8% office vacancy rate, the second-highest rate in Canada, requires focusing on social problems impacting downtown such as homelessness, poverty, and mental health issues. ONE Properties president and CEO Darren Durstling said there’s still confidence in class-A and class-AAA properties. “Where we see demand for office in Edmonton historically is from national or international clients or tenants – banks or insurance or law firms that are national or international in scale,” he said. “They want to elevate their position in Edmonton.”
• Kevin McKee, CEO of Pangman Development Corporation, spoke recently about the importance of addressing crime and safety in downtown Edmonton. “If there is not something done urgently we may have a very, very difficult time ever getting momentum back on our side,” he said.
• There are currently about 750 workers from PCL Construction Management in the field constructing the Travers Solar Project in Vulcan County, the largest of its kind in Canada. “About 1.3-million solar panels will be installed on the overall site,” said project director Greg Sheremeta.
• The century-old University of Alberta Ring Houses that were acquired by the Primavera Development Group are being relocated and repurposed. Ken Cantor, president of the Primavera Development Group, has indicated “great effort will be made to minimize structural damage during relocation of the Ring Houses.”
• Commercial real estate in Edmonton is recovering, especially in warehouses and logistics spaces on the industrial side, and food and medical outlets on the retail side. “It’s definitely an uptick, and the demand is there,” said Kris Augustson, vice-president of Remington Development Corporation. “There are more e-commerce-related groups circling the market right now, so I think we will see that trend continue.”
• Felice Café is now open at Rohit‘s Stadium Yards near Commonwealth Stadium, and it features a market where local vendors can display and sell their products for a flat monthly fee. Stadium Yards won for Best Signage at the 2022 National Awards for Housing Excellence.
• Edmonton should expect a shortage of housing and commercial buildings due to supply chain issues, rising construction costs, rising interest rates, and a growing population, according to industry leaders who met at the Edmonton Real Estate Forum on May 18. Rohit Gupta, president of Rohit Group of Companies, said the demand for houses may outpace real estate developers’ capacity to build them.
• Strathcona County has updated its three Pride crosswalks from the original six-colour design to the progress flag colours to signal the inclusion of BIPOC and trans people. “We’re proud to paint the crosswalks outside the Community Centre with the progress flag design,” said Mayor Rod Frank. “It’s important we have these visible signals that all community members are safe, welcome and celebrated here in Strathcona County.”
• Stantec reported 19.5% net revenue growth in the first quarter, and said its backlog has grown to a record $5.4 billion.
• The province has promised $70 million over the next three years to add 4,900 student spaces to five Edmonton post-secondary institutions. More than half of the money will go to the University of Alberta to create 3,200+ seats in science, engineering, nursing, and business; the rest will be split among Concordia University of Edmonton, MacEwan University, NAIT, and NorQuest College.

• Alberta Blue Cross is accepting applications until Sept. 15 for its 2022 Built Together program which helps Albertans “build safe, vibrant spaces for individuals, families, children, and seniors to live actively in their communities.”
• The Alberta Investment Management Corporation has appointed Krista Pell as its chief human resources officer, effective July 18, 2022. Pell was most recently vice-president of human resources at Cenovus Energy.
• Anthem Properties Group has made its debut as a new home builder in Alberta with the completion and sale of its first two single-family homes. The company said house building is “a natural progression of our real estate journey, leveraging the expertise we’ve gained as an award-winning homebuilder in the Greater Sacramento area and as an experienced land and multifamily developer in Western Canada.”
• Backwoods Energy announced its matting division is moving to a larger facility in Nisku. “We came here due to the low tax rates, great infrastructure, and access to transportation hubs. We look forward to growing our business here for years to come,” said CEO Mike Heck.
• The Canterbury Foundation recently celebrated the opening of its $42 million Canterbury Heights project and announced that CEO Wendy King is retiring after leading the organization for the past decade.
• For the third year in a row, the City of St. Albert is one of 18 cities and towns across Canada to receive the Tree City of the World Award which recognizes communities that have created and implemented an effective long-term tree management and maintenance strategy.
• Civida has received an achievement award for Rental Housing Provider of the Year from the Alberta Residential Landlord Association.
• Cowan Graphics published a case study on the Rally Social Room project it worked on, which included the installation of graphic murals, wayfinding, and dimensional elements.
• Cresa announced the 22 recipients of its Rising Star Awards for 2022, one of whom is Edmontonian Nicholas Farnden, “a determined, hardworking and very well-liked broker that exemplifies all the characteristics that Cresa looks for in our fleet of brokers.”

• Cushman & Wakefield Edmonton recently held its first gathering for friends, clients, and partners since the COVID-19 pandemic began at Sabor in the Boardwalk Building in downtown Edmonton.
• Edon Management announced that its Indigenous Relations policy has been implemented. “Collectively, Edon will focus on establishing and maintaining relationships, economic reconciliation, community investment, as well as training and employment initiatives.”
• Entuitive was awarded a Platinum Elite badge at ReNew Canada’s Top 100 dinner for working on 20 of the year’s top 100 infrastructure projects.
• First Capital Realty has been selected as a Gold 2022 Green Lease Leader by the Institute for Market Transformation and Department of Energy’s Better Building Alliance.
• First Capital Realty also announced a new redevelopment project at Sherwood Centre in Sherwood Park, adjacent to two of its other properties. “The combined synergy of these three sites provide a complete shopping experience for the residents of this vibrant community.”
• MLT Aikins LLP has welcomed Ayana P. McAdam, who focuses her practice on insurance, labour and employment, wills and estates, real estate and litigation, to the Edmonton office.
• ONE Properties has announced a series of changes to its senior leadership team, including the addition of Darren Baccus as executive vice president of capital and investment management.
• Servis Realty wrote about the 11 most essential steps in conducting commercial property investment due diligence.
• TAG Developments has welcomed GolfTec as the newest tenant at Millennium Ridge in Sherwood Park.
• Truspace wrote about how a productive workplace is mentally well. “Unhappy employees are more likely to take shortcuts at work and are less likely to form attachments with other employees, ultimately reducing the organization’s ability to retain talent.”
• The Workers Compensation Board will host its 2022 AGM on June 9.

• Demand from B.C. investors for single-tenant commercial properties in Alberta “has seen a tremendous increase” over the last year, reports Marcus & Millichap. Industrial and office properties in Calgary and Edmonton are generating annual yields from 1.5-2% higher than in Metro Vancouver, according to Cushman & Wakefield.
• GFL Environmental is the newest naming sponsor at Canada Games Park in Thorold, Ontario. The company will also serve as the facility’s primary waste services provider.
• Public Services and Procurement Canada will deliver a new coaching service designed to “help bidders from diverse socio-economic groups that have had limited success bidding on federal procurement opportunities address the bidding challenges they have previously faced.”

• QuadReal Property Group and Menkes have purchased a one-acre apartment property in midtown Toronto for $56.18 million and announced the official launch of Assembly Park, a master-planned, mixed-use development.
• TK Elevator published its first sustainability report and has set ambitious new emission reduction targets, including reducing emissions from its own business activities by 53% by 2030.
• WSP Canada is acquiring John Wood Group PLC’s environment business for US$1.8 billion in support of its goal to boost net revenues by 30% by 2024. The Globe and Mail reports that the deal “cements (WSP)’s position as one of the world’s dominant players in sustainable development consulting.”

• The Alberta Investment Management Corporation (AIMCo) reported earning a record 14.7% return for 2021, which was well above the 8% it benchmarked. Public equity investments gained 23.4%, and its private equity holdings rose 65.9%, with its money market and fixed income investments losing 1.1%. AIMCo reported a 14.5% return in its $18.3 billion real estate department and a 19% return in its $10.6 billion infrastructure department.
• Sturgeon County recently approved a Clean Energy Improvement Program (CEIP) bylaw, enabling a program that allows residents to pay for energy efficiency improvements through their property taxes. The program will be run by the Alberta Municipal Services Corporation. Pincher Creek approved a similar program last month.
• Artis REIT and First Capital Realty were named to Mediacorp list of Canada’s top small and medium employers for 2022.
• Aspen Properties is among the first three successful applicants to the City of Calgary’s Downtown Calgary Development Incentive Program.
• Avison Young managing director Cory Wosnack said downtown Edmonton and Calgary are rebounding quickly. “Edmonton is really seeing a significant bounceback in the number of people that are frequenting our downtown,” he said. The return of in-person learning at Edmonton’s post-secondary institutions has helped.
• Western Investor noted Leduc County’s success in attracting industrial users with its space, favourable tax rates, and maturing community. “A lot of those occupiers who are now in the Nisku, Leduc submarket are not necessarily tied to oil and gas,” said David St. Cyr of Avison Young. “This area of Edmonton has really caught their attention because of the amenities that are built into it, and the tax rate is important.” Hopewell Real Estate Services and Remington Development Corporation are among the major developers building or planning new facilities in the area.
• Cameron Development‘s Javaid Naqvi has been recognized with the CPA Lifetime Achievement Award in the 2022 Recognizing Immigrant Success in Edmonton (RISE) Awards.
• Canadian Western Bank was ranked 20th in the 1,000+ employees category of the 2022 Best Workplaces in Canada list from the Great Place to Work Institute.
• Edmonton’s office vacancy rate remained stable in the first quarter of 2022, reports CBRE, saying it bodes well for the future as employees continue to return to offices. The Edmonton Office Market Report put out by Colliers International provided additional details, saying the downtown vacancy rate sits at 18.5% with an asking net rate of $17.19 per square foot.
• For hotels, CBRE projects a modest recovery this year in Calgary and Edmonton for revenue available per room. “Calgary and Alberta’s challenge is that the activity related to the energy sector needs to return, and as restrictions are getting lifted visitations are also returning,” said David Ferguson, director for CBRE hotels.
• Givens LLP partner Jessica Harquail spoke with local media in Fort Saskatchewan about what to know if asked to pay back CERB payments.
• MacEwan University, which is celebrating its 50th anniversary, has appointed Richard Perlow as dean of the school of business for a five-year term starting this summer. The university has created a time capsule that will be opened in 2071 when it marks 100 years of operation.

• NorQuest College has received $675,000 in funding from Natural Resources Canada to help support the recruitment, training, and mentorship of new energy advisors.
• Oilers Entertainment Group president and CEO Stew MacDonald spoke with CTV News about the playoff excitement that has been building in Edmonton as the Oilers take on the Los Angeles Kings in the first round. “The atmosphere continues to amp up, game after game after game,” he said.
• A groundbreaking ceremony was held on April 8 for The Parks, a new residential development located at the corner of Jasper Avenue and 108 Street, just west of the future Warehouse Park. The project from Pangman Development and its partners — which will consist of three towers at heights of 13 storeys, 35 storeys, and 45 storeys — will offer more than 1,000 rental spaces once complete in the next seven to nine years.
• Qualico Developments was among the winners at the 2022 BILD Calgary Region Awards, for its rural development in Springbank called Harmony.
• Rohit Property Management vice president Adil Kodian told Postmedia that the changes in the City of Edmonton’s proposed omnibus zoning bylaw will “require a shift away from traditional forms of prescriptive to a more supportive and open regulatory environment.” A draft of the bylaw is expected to return to a council committee in November.
• Developers speaking at a recent event on multifamily housing said Edmonton could soon see a boom in multifamily housing projects. “We’re actually already seeing quite a bit of demand increasing from the consumer for multifamily,” said Rohit Gupta, CEO of the Rohit Group of Companies.
• Servus Credit Union has been ranked #1 in Canada on the Forbes list of the world’s best banks for 2022. Servus announced it is donating end-of-cycle technology to Alberta Computers for Schools, which refurbishes computers and other devices for schools, libraries, and community organizations across the province.
• Stantec said in its 15th sustainability report that it “has achieved carbon neutrality for operations in the United Kingdom, New Zealand, and European Union.” The company also said 53% of its revenue is aligned with the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), up from 49% in 2020.
• Construction on a new $41.1 million footbridge over the North Saskatchewan River connecting northeast Edmonton and Strathcona County is expected to begin as early as this summer now that funding agreements between the City of Edmonton, Strathcona County, and the River Valley Alliance have been finalized.
• Strathcona County is highlighting the importance of Emergency Preparedness Week from May 1-7.
• The University of Alberta placed 77th in the Center for World University Rankings (CWUR) World University Rankings 2022-23, its highest-ever ranking, thanks to the quality of its faculty and its research article output. The U of A also jumped from 64th to 11th in the Times Higher Education Impact Rankings which measure the contribution post-secondaries are making towards achieving the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
• The **University of Alberta**is contemplating the removal of the Humanities Centre from its inventory. That means the 50-year-old building could be leased, closed, or even demolished, but no deadline has been set.

• Alberta Blue Cross is marking Mental Health Week from May 2-8 by highlighting empathy in the workplace.
• Denise Man has been appointed chief technology officer of Alberta Investment Management Corporation (AIMCo). She leads the Business Technology team, working to serve clients more efficiently by spearheading the development of new products and technologies. AIMCo has also appointed Jason Chang as senior managing director of fixed income.
• Altus Group has released its latest sustainability report, highlighting the progress made on its environmental, social, and governance initiatives. The company said it has a “light environmental footprint and carbon business model.”
• Anthem Properties Group said in its spring 2022 newsletter that over the past year its real estate portfolio has “grown significantly across all of our asset classes,” with 500,000 square feet of new retail, industrial, rental residential, and office space added.
• A recent CBRE podcast looked at how the future of the office is hybrid work.
• Civida shared two research papers that explore resiliency through business transformation.
• Edon Management said it has surpassed 800 employees, a new milestone for the company.
• Entuitive provided structural engineering consulting services on the new AUPE headquarters in Edmonton.

Field Law explained Alberta’s new umbrella legislation for the regulation of 22 non-health professions in Alberta, expected to come into force by January.

• First Capital Realty shared that it has been recognized as one of Canada’s greenest employers for 2022 by The Globe and Mail.
• A survey from First Onsite Restoration found that two thirds of Canadians are concerned about damage caused by rains and flooding.
• Allied Universal, which acquired G4S Secure Solutions last year, has named Darren Pedersen as president.
• GFL Environmental has completed its spin-off of GFL Infrastructure to create Green Infrastructure Partners Inc., a leading provider of vertically integrated infrastructure services.
• GWL Realty Advisors has acquired Centre-61, a 257,000 square foot industrial building in southeast Calgary, on behalf of the London Life Real Estate Fund.
• ONE Properties and IG Mackenzie Real Property Fund have announced Citizen on Jasper as the name of its new mixed-use development near 124 Street and Victoria Promenade, scheduled for occupancy this fall.
• ONE Properties featured two members of its Edmonton office — Lisa Wilson and Kylee 
• Wolseley has launched a four-week wellness challenge for associates called Wise & Well, “intended to help motivate, inspire and support our associates’ health and wellness through a series of fun challenges.”

• Anthem Properties Group, which acquired a mixed-use development in Burnaby from Aoyuan International for $215 million, will develop the project known as Alpha Gardens in four phases.
• BentallGreenOak (Canada) LP and Oxford Properties Group are among the investors in U.S.-based Lineage Logistics — one of the world’s largest temperature-controlled REITs — which has acquired VersaCold Logistics Services, one of Canada’s largest cold-chain logistics and distribution networks.
• A GoFundMe started by workers at Brookfield Global Integrated Solutions Canada LP has raised nearly $50,000 for the family of Brad Kerrivan, who died in a vehicle collision in St. John’s.
• CIBC economist Andrew Grantham told Postmedia the bank thinks the Bank of Canada “will be concerned that inflation continues to surprise to the upside of their forecasts” and will want to “make sure that these strong inflation readings don’t start to impact longer-run inflation expectations.”
• Colliers International said Saskatoon’s downtown office vacancy rate topped 24% in Q4 2021, nearly double the national rate and leading every city but Calgary.
• EPCOR‘s U.S. operations earned 42 safety and operational excellence awards at the AZ Water Association’s 95th annual water conference and exhibition in Phoenix. The company recently completed a US$21 million expansion of its Pecan Water Reclamation Facility there.
• Harvard Developments said it will move forward with redevelopment of the Lakeshore Mall in Regina following a ten-year pause due to market conditions. Demolition is expected to begin this summer.
• Krahn Group of Companies has been working with the Village of Anmore since last year on a new community hub, slated to be complete next summer.

• NorthWest Healthcare Properties has acquired five Chicago-area medical office buildings as part of its US$602 million entrance into the United States.
• Paul Davis Restoration franchisee Sylvie Levesque was named the gold winner in the traditional category for the Franchisee of the Year Award at the 2022 Canadian Franchise Association’s awards of excellence.
• The six finalists for an architectural design competition launched by Public Services and Procurement Canada last year for Block 2, located directly across from Parliament Hill, have been unveiled. A winner will be announced later this spring.
• QuadReal Property Group has been awarded the Industry Thought Leadership award, as well as the award for most benchmarked projects of all-time, from Fitwel in its 2022 Best in Building Health Awards.
• TC Energy is working with Nikola Corporation to evaluate a plan for a hydrogen production hub in Crossfield, Alberta where it currently operates a natural gas storage facility. A final investment decision is expected by the end of 2023.
• Waste Connections of Canada is investing $50 million into a project with Enbridge Gas to build a new RNG facility in Ontario.
• Waste Management of Canada Corp. is an investor in Enerkem Inc., which recently closed a new $255 million financing round.
• WSP Canada announced it is part of the delivery team for the ONxpress Transportation Partners (ONxpress) consortium that has reached commercial close on the GO Expansion – On-Corridor Works (OnCorr) project.

• Alberta Blue Cross has been recognized as a corporate culture leader in Canada for the third time, was ranked in the top 75 Alberta employers for the 14th consecutive year, and has attained Caring Company certification for 2022 through Imagine Canada.
• Applications for the 2022 COVID Community Roots program from Alberta Blue Cross opened on April 4, offering grants of up to $3,000 for community-led initiatives.
• Alberta Gaming, Liquor and Cannabis has stopped online cannabis sales to make way for private retailers. Licensed cannabis retailers must operate a physical store in order to sell online. There are currently more than 700 licensed retailers in Alberta.
• The grand opening of the Grande Prairie Regional Hospital was celebrated by Alberta’s minister of infrastructure, Prasad Panda. “Public infrastructure projects like this technologically advanced new hospital are an important part of Alberta’s economy,” Panda said. “Alberta Infrastructure is happy to have played a role in seeing this project completed.”
• Alberta Investment Management Corporation has appointed Suzanne Akers as its new chief risk officer. AIMCo also appointed Paul Mouchakkaa as senior managing director, head of real estate.
• Sheila Botting, president of professional services for the Americas at Avison Young, said hybrid work arrangements doesn’t necessarily mean office space as we know it is going away. The organization’s Vitality Index showed that downtown foot traffic in Edmonton was down 57.1% since March 2020, a smaller drop than many cities including Calgary (74.8%) and Ottawa (83.3%).
• Canadian Western Bank announced plans to move its national headquarters from Jasper Avenue to the ICE District, becoming the anchor tenant in the district’s last tower. The Edmonton-based bank’s 1,200 employees are expected to move to their new digs in January 2026. The long-term lease was completed by Avison Young which said it is one of the largest leases completed in Alberta over the past several years.
• Alberta’s industrial and commercial real estate market will not see much impact from a rebounding oil and gas industry, according to CBRE Limited. Since the pandemic started, the province has seen an acceleration in the diversity of tenants, with more cleantech and related industries occupying space and fewer oil companies needing space.
• This year “will be the year of normalization” with Canada’s office occupancy rate set to hit a 15-year-high in 2023, reports CBRE Limited. Montreal, Edmonton, and the Waterloo Region are expected to be the main beneficiaries.
• Colliers International acted as a financial advisor to TransPod, which has secured US$550 million to finance the next phase of a hyperloop system between Edmonton and Calgary.
• Contemporary Office Interiors and Knights Signs have been awarded the final tenders for a new RCMP building in Fort St. John, BC.

• The Edmonton Police Service has launched its new Community Safety Data Portal in an effort to improve transparency and facilitate community engagement. The portal displays crime statistics across the city as well as overall trends and occurrences of crime at LRT stations and transit centres. EPS said this first version will evolve over time and that it is actively seeking feedback from users.
• The Kitchen, a learning and community kitchen facility located on the second floor of the Edmonton Public Library‘s Stanley A. Milner location downtown, has opened to the public. The facility will offer courses in cooking, baking, and other food-related matters either directly or through partner organizations.
• According to Field Law, a recent decision by the Court of Queen’s Bench of Alberta has added to the growing case law that has concluded that doorbell cameras may be considered alterations or modifications of common property in condominiums.
• Fort McMurray International Airport has resumed offering international flights as of Feb. 28. Flair Airlines will start offering flights to Arizona out of the airport next winter.
• Rosanne Hill Blaisdell has been appointed president and CEO of Harvard Developments and all other Canadian real estate affiliates of The Hill Companies.
• JLL Edmonton closed recently on the sale of 764 Calgary rental apartments for $138 million to Alberta-based Avenue Living.
• Projects by Melcor Developments and Qualico Developments are among the finalists for the 2021 Building Industry and Land Development (BILD) awards in the Calgary Region. The winners will be announced at an in-person gala on April 30.
• MLT Aikins LLP served as legal advisor to Delta 9 Cannabis Inc. which has closed an acquisition of 17 retail cannabis stores in Alberta from Uncle Sam’s Cannabis Ltd.
• Shine Above Window and Gutter Cleaning, part of Mosaic Home Services, is now providing free window screen cleaning services for all customers.
• The Alberta government announced $1 million for bursaries to help women pursue STEM learning. Edmonton’s NorQuest College will receive $400,000.
• PCL Construction Management is the construction manager for the UXBorough mixed-use development in Calgary that recently broke ground. The first phase is scheduled for occupancy in the early 2024.
• Rohit and Strata brought forward an amendment to the City of St. Albert’s land use bylaw to better accommodate density targets set out in regional plans. Council passed the amendment unanimously.
• Stantec announced it will acquire Barton Willmore, the United Kingdom’s leading planning and design consulting firm.
• Wheaton Group participated in a $2.2 million seed financing round for HonestDoor which aims to become the trusted source platform for valuations on any Canadian residential property.

• Anthem Properties Group announced its brands Anthem Properties and Anthem United have now been integrated into a single Anthem brand identity. The company also said it has acquired two industrial-zoned, greenfield development sites in the Balzac area totalling 145 acres.
• Aspen Property Management shared a look back some major projects completed over the past two years, including The Ampersand revamp and rebrand.
• CBRE Limited shared five myths and realities of activity-based working which offers employees a variety of workspaces throughout the office.
• Cresa Alberta tackled the need to develop more resilient hybrid return-to-work strategies.
• Cushman & Wakefield Edmonton welcomed Mark Bowman as a new associate in the industrial division.

• Epic Investment Services has acquired a 5.29-acre industrial property located at 13520 156 Street on behalf of its private clients, and has been retained as the property manager.
• GWL Realty Advisors said its commercial leasing teams completed over 400 deals totalling more than five million square feet in 2021.
• Hi Signs – The Fath Group creative lead Katie Sutherland has been named to the ISA International Sign Expo Elite Class of 2022, which recognizes the next generation of industry leaders.
• JEN COL Construction said its teams have begun construction on the new Saddle Lake Elementary School.
• Wolseley, a long-time supporter of Special Olympics, shared a special thank you video it received from Special Olympics Canada.

• Altus Group‘s Diana Pricop provided an overview of Montreal’s real estate market during a recent webinar hosted by Urban Land Institute Toronto. Total investment activity in the city last year was $10.5 billion, up from $8.8 billion in 2019 and $7 billion in 2020.
• Anthem Properties Group has teamed up with KingSett Capital to acquire an 8.34-acre mixed-use site in Burnaby that will eventually be home to 2,100 market condominiums, 340 rental units, and 60,000 square feet of retail and office space across five residential towers and two mid-rise rental buildings.
• Black & McDonald Limited picked up a couple of awards at last month’s Vancouver Regional Construction Association awards of excellence.
• Canadian Urban Limited property manager Adil Shareef said the company is pleased with its partnership with iRestify, which recently announced an expansion into the United States. “Their cutting-edge technology allows us to enhance the management of our Janitorial operations,” he said.
• Greg Kwong, executive vice president and regional managing director for the Canadian Prairie region at CBRE Limited, said the amount of office space in Calgary’s downtown needs to be reduced through either demolition or repurposing.

• Entuitive and Williams Engineering Canada are among the six firms selected to develop retrofit designs for low-to-mid-rise social housing buildings in BC.
• The Bellanca Building in Yellowknife, which is managed by McCOR Management, has been sold to Yellowknife-based Borealis Development for $1.4 million.
• QuadReal Property Group has confirmed that Walmart will occupy 140,000 square feet in its new Marché Central retail power centre in Montreal.
• Remington Development Corporation‘s Quarry Park in Calgary has about 65% of its office campus and 40% of its residential section complete after 15 years. It has also acquired the land opposite the development for Quarry Landing.
• Summit Industrial Income REIT has acquired a 50% interest in a joint venture partnership for a 40-acre development in the Aberfoyle Industrial Park near Guelph, Ontario. It also announced it will acquire a 76,423 square foot Class A single tenant property in the Greater Toronto Area for $25.2 million.
• Veritiv Canada is being sold to Imperial Dade.

• Ainsworth has acquired GDI Integrated Facility Services Inc. and will launch a new business unit named Ainsworth Energy & Technology Solutions.
• Alberta Gaming, Liquor and Cannabis has banned new stock of Russian-made liquor products in the province as a sign of condemnation of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
• The provincial government has promised to spend $1.8 billion through Alberta Infrastructure to expand the Red Deer Regional Hospital within the next three years. The Alberta Investment Management Corporation has appointed Theresa Whitmarsh to the board of directors effective April 1. AIMCo also announced the appointment of Sandra Lau and James Barber as co-chief investment officers.
• Altus Group has announced Jim Hannon, who was previously president of Altus Analytics, will serve as the company’s next CEO.
• Avison Young, CBRE Limited, Colliers International, Cresa, Cushman & Wakefield, and Hines were included in Lipsey’s top 25 commercial real estate brand survey for 2022.
• Avison Young has hired Brandy Burdeniuk as director of environment, social, and governance (ESG) for North America. The former Edmontonian will be based in Toronto.
• Cory Wosnack, managing director of Avison Young Commercial Real Estate, said Edmonton’s office vacancy rate is 17%, far below the 8% that is ideal for a balanced market. “Right now, property owners need to think of their ground level space as a loss leader: an opportunity to create the right programming that, even at a lower rental rate, is an attraction for the building,” he said.
• Philippe D. Mack of Bee-Clean Building Maintenance will serve as the 2022 vice president of Building Service Contractors Association International (BSCAI).
• “Industrial has become a consumption-oriented class in addition to its traditional, trade movement of goods orientation,” said Paul Mouchakkaa, managing partner and Canadian head with BentallGreenOak, in an article about the confidence investors are expressing in sustained industrial rental growth.
• CWB Financial Group has announced it will be the anchor tenant of the final tower overlooking the plaza in ICE District. The deal “cements Edmonton as CWB’s corporate home in the city where it was founded by local entrepreneurs 38 years ago,” it said in a news release. Construction of the new tower is underway with occupancy expected in late 2025.
• EPCOR Utilities announced in its 2021 financial results that more than $1 billion was invested in capital projects and acquisition.
• An interview that RJ Steenstra, president and CEO of Fort McMurray Airport Authority, did with Airport Review in November 2021 is now available. Steenstra discussed priorities for the year ahead and exciting developments that Fort McMurray can look forward to. The airport recently received $5.3 million in federal funding for infrastructure upgrades and operational support.
• In its 2021 financial results, GFL Environmental reported revenue growth of 31.7%. The company closed 46 accretive acquisitions over the year.

• Ivanhoe Cambridge has announced a $500-million joint venture with Australian real estate investor Lendlease to expand its footprint in the life sciences sector in cities across the United States.
• Edmonton restaurant Filistix is creating a food hall on the MacEwan University campus and bringing a new dinner concept to its main downtown location in an effort to make it to the other side of the pandemic.
• NorQuest College has launched its Machine Learning Analyst program to combine technical education with various specialized skills to give grads the ability to navigate the ever-changing world of work. “Machine learning is becoming ubiquitous. It’s really the future of data analytics,” said Shaunaugh Whelan, NorQuest’s technology program founder.
• ONE Properties CEO Darren Durstling spoke with RENX about the 11 million square feet of space the company has under development in Edmonton, Calgary, and Toronto.
• Lafarge is partnering with PCL Construction to deliver ECOPact, the company’s lowest-carbon concrete yet.
• PCL Construction was awarded the contract for pre-construction work on the expansion and renewal of Arts Commons in Calgary.
• Pinchin has entered into a partnership with Keystone Capital Management L.P. to “aggressively” pursue “geographic expansion, addition of new markets, and the development of new technical fields that will further position the company as a leader.”
• QuadReal Property Group has closed a $400 million green bond offering, the proceeds of which “will be invested to support sustainable initiatives on green buildings, renewable energy, resource and energy efficiency, pollution prevention, clean transportation, and climate change adaptation.”
• RioCan was named one of Canada’s top 10 high-rise developers according to new data from the Building Industry and Land Development Association (BILD) and Altus Group.
• ServiceMaster Restore was named the best overall water damage restoration service of 2022 by Bob Vila.
• The Calgary Reconciliation Bridge, designed in part by SMP Engineering, will don familiar colours throughout the year to commemorate important and critical Indigenous events.
• Spartan Controls sustainability leader Nannette Ho-Covernton will participate in an in-depth panel discussion on energy-efficient IoT technologies at the IoT North Conference in Calgary on March 30-31.
• The Fairmont Hotel Macdonald was included in a Forbes list of cities with the most sustainable hotels.
• TK Elevator has opened its new North American headquarters in Atlanta.
• WSP Canada has appointed Philippe Morais as its new vice-president, strategic advisory and innovation.

• Steve Horwood, vice president of business development at Ainsworth, presented about the potential risks and mitigation measures of HVAC operation and Omicron at BOMA Canada’s first webinar of 2022.
• The Canterbury Foundation wrote about the mental, emotional, and spiritual importance of keeping couples together. Many long-term care facilities don’t offer spaces for couples to love together while receiving specific care. “Through our brand new renovated memory care unit and our future enhanced supportive living unit on the horizon, we will now have such suites – so couples can stay together despite their individual needs, till death do they part,” said Sacha Cooper, business development and licensing manager.
• Carlson Construction shared a look at the construction experience at The Derrick Golf and Winter Club’s new tennis facility.
• Civida shared an update on construction at its Lendrum property.
• Cowan Graphics completed fresh brand outfitting for LIFTBOSS JCB’s flagship location in Edmonton.
• Cushman & Wakefield Edmonton partner Dustin Bateyko highlighted an influx of activity in suburban Edmonton office space. Senior associate Richard Knibbs discussed significant transactions from the past year.
• Entuitive has launched a new monthly innovation op-ed series. The first feature looks at alternative project delivery methods.

• GardaWorld Protective Services has published its first sustainability report, which includes an overview of its approach to ESG issues.
• Melcor Developments announced it has entered into leases with two tenants for over 40,000 sq ft in two properties. One is Innovate Edmonton, which will move into 10107 Jasper Avenue this fall.
• MLT Aikins LLP published an overview of what Alberta’s removal of COVID-19 restrictions means for employers.
• Riddell Kurczaba Architecture Engineering Interior Design is working with CBRE and others on the expansion of the Calgary Farmers market.
• Servis Realty shared an analysis of leasing vs. owning commercial real estate.
• TAG Developments has been recognized by CoStar Canada as a 2021 Power Broker quarterly deals winner.
• Truspace wrote about how ergonomics is an investment in your employees and your business. “Ergonomics plays a big part in productivity and the overall quality of job performance.”