Regulations
New refrigerant restrictions set for 2025
Regulators in Canada and the United States are out of sync in banning the R-410A refrigerant that’s currently a mainstay of variable refrigerant flow (VRF) heat pump systems.
Water quality standard boosts healthcare industry
As healthcare facilities increasingly focus on patient safety and infection prevention, effective water management has become a critical aspect of medical device processing.
A mindful expansion at Sunnybrook
Amid the high-traffic frenzy of Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre, which houses the busiest trauma facility in Canada, a new space brings peace and comfort to patients with brain and mental health needs, and the staff who care for them.
Cultural biases hinder workplace safety outcomes
Workplace injury rates have increased across the globe and businesses will need to anticipate error and monitor work-related practices more readily.
Unmarked graves hold obvious truths
The 2021 discovery of unmarked graves at the site of the former Kamloops Indian residential school both shocked Canadians and confirmed what the evidence had already made obvious.
Inside the Great Hall’s seismic renewal at the MOA
A major earthquake could happen at any time in B.C. and cause significant damage to the building and valuable art collections.
New water use initiatives afloat in summer 2024
New water use initiatives from the Canadian government and the Open Standards Consortium for Real Estate (OSCRE) have been unveiled for public input over the course of summer 2024.
Centennial boosts environmental services program
Centennial College is now home to a ground-breaking course that is better preparing next generation environmental services professionals for the field.
Prized office tenant steps up green demands
Ottawa landlords are contemplating a list of new expectations from a prized office tenant following recently announced updates to the federal government’s green operations strategy.
Poll sees decline in global workforce well-being
Being actively disengaged at work is equivalent to or worse than being unemployed when it comes to well-being.
Resolvable barriers still impede accessibility
The building features that most commonly impede people with disabilities are not those that are the costliest or most structurally complicated to correct, new survey findings show.
Housing labour and innovation
For Canada to meet its target of building 5.1 million homes in the next twelve years, a concerted focus on labour and innovation is required.
Plastic chemicals face growing scrutiny
The United Nations Environment Assembly adopted a resolution on March 2, 2022, to end plastic pollution by 2040.
Civic spaces rise to net-zero heights in Edmonton
Fire stations have evolved into a much broader sense of community as cities seek to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and reach net-zero targets partially through design.
Navigating supply chain transparency legislation
The deadline for Canadian businesses to file their first annual report on supply chain transparency is fast approaching.
Alberta to tighten grip on public sector FMs
The Alberta government is moving to tighten its grip on public entities that are defined as “creatures of the province,” yet have conventionally had leeway to seek and accept direct federal investment.
Taxing debate awaits Toronto commercial parking
Debate about a proposed surcharge on commercial parking spaces in Toronto has been deferred until City Council begins to consider 2025 budget measures.