Post Type Description
Realstar Management
As one of Canada’s largest private owner-operators of rental properties, Realstar Properties (Realstar) manages over 22,000 apartment units coast-to-coast and is an active owner of more than 80 per cent of these units through its six private equity funds and collection of private partnerships. Realstar’s track record of success over the decades is a result of a business approach founded on consistency, honesty, and integrity. Environmental concerns continue to represent some of our largest ESG priorities at Realstar, as we tackle a constantly-changing landscape. Efforts to prepare for decarbonization are intensifying, and research to strengthen asset resilience is ongoing. In looking at environmental concerns holistically, it brings us some consolation that many of the strategies that can be used to assist with decarbonization will also strengthen asset resilience. Additionally, many efforts we have made around energy and water efficiency have already made substantial impacts. Learn more about Realstar’s commitment to sustainability.
Woodbourne
Woodbourne Capital Management (Woodbourne) is a leading investor, operator, and developer of apartments, seniors’ housing, student housing, self-storage, and other real estate assets located predominantly in urban areas across Canada. Woodbourne has invested in over 70 transactions, representing approximately 18,000 multi-residential units, 8,500 self-storage units, and 6,500 student housing beds, in more than 225 buildings diversified across nine Canadian provinces. Woodbourne believes there are lasting benefits to incorporating ESG principles broadly into our business practices, including as an important input for decision-making at both the corporate and investment levels.
Starlight Investments
Starlight Investments (Starlight) is a privately held Toronto-based, full service, multi-family and commercial real estate investment and asset management company driven by an experienced team of more than 350 professionals. The company currently manages over $25 billion of direct real estate as well as real estate investment securities. Investment vehicles include institutional joint ventures, True North Commercial REIT, Starlight U.S. Multi-Family Funds, the Northview Fund and Starlight Capital Funds. Starlight Investment’s portfolio consists of approximately 73,000 multi-residential units across Canada and the U.S. and over 8 million square feet of commercial properties. Starlight is committed to developing and implementing environmental, social, and governance (ESG) best practices across our organization to drive value for our stakeholders, employees, residents, and the communities in which we reside. Learn more about Starlight Investment’s ESG program.
Tricon Residential
Tricon Residential (Tricon) is a rental housing company that owns, develops, and operates a growing portfolio of 35,000 units in Canada and the United States, including both multi-family rental apartments and single-family rental homes. Founded in 1988 and headquartered in Toronto, Tricon has $16 billion of assets under management and is a steward of capital for long-term investors, including pension funds, public institutions, and generational investors with a bias towards cash flow generating assets. Tricon Residential was one of the first movers to enter the purpose-built rental apartment sector in the Greater Toronto Area with scale and today is the leader in the marketplace with 5,000+ new units in development and operation.
Tricon believes in reimagining rental living – we partner with celebrated architects to create inviting living spaces and inspired amenities, empower our employees to deliver an exceptional service experience with the support of an innovative technology enabled platform, and build resident community through programming and events.
Tricon is a proud Canadian company, providing excellent employment, and working together with the people we serve to realize our vision—building robust, inclusive, and sustainable communities.
To ensure we are delivering on this promise, our 2021 ESG report showcases our accomplishments over the past year within the five key priority areas: Our People, Our Residents, Our Impact, Our Governance, and Our Innovation, and is aligned with the reporting frameworks and standards of the Global Reporting Initiative and Sustainable Accounting Standards Board.
Crown Realty Partners
Crown acquires, leases, manages and redevelops commercial real estate assets across Canada. Crown has a well-established track record, an experienced team and takes a hands-on approach to provide superior returns for our investors and better workplaces for businesses operating within our portfolio.
The Partners of Crown co-invest alongside the corporations, institutions, pension funds and family offices that entrust us with their capital, ensuring strong alignment of interests.
Crown considers ESG (Environmental, Social and Governance) at every step of the real estate investment lifecycle. Our model of active, integrated management prioritizes environmental and social sustainability preserves and creates the greatest value for all our stakeholders. Learn more about Crown’s commitment to sustainability. Stay up to date with by following their LinkedIn and Instagram.
The Hospital for Sick Children
The Hospital for Sick Children (SickKids) is Canada’s most research-intensive hospital and the largest centre dedicated to improving children’s health in the country. To meet the needs and expectations of providing the best in child and family-centred care, creating ground-breaking clinical and scientific advancements, and training the next generation of experts in child care, SickKids has embarked on Project Horizon to expand and transform the current campus. By 2035, SickKids plans to have completed the new 22-storey Patient Support Centre, and two new hospital towers: the Peter Gilgan Family Patient Care Tower and the Ambulatory Care Tower.
SickKids’ efforts in energy management and sustainability are exhibited in both existing buildings and future buildings on the campus. Water conservation, sustainable building design/management, electricity and steam efficiency, along with encouraging staff engagement in green initiatives, are all key parts of SickKids’ strategy to mobilize a green-friendly organization. Sustainability is a core principle of Project Horizon: Be responsible stewards of our resources and consciously support the well-bring of present and future generations. SickKids plans to extend its sustainability initiatives through Project Horizon – designing spaces based on WELL Building Standards, Toronto Green Standards and LEED Gold Standards wherever possible. There is also a large focus on employing biophilic design (integrating green spaces both indoors and outdoors to promote a healing environment) which will naturally result in a greener, more environmentally friendly campus. Learn more about SickKids sustainability plans.
First Capital
First Capital REIT (FCR) is a leading owner, operator, and developer of mixed-use real estate located in Canada’s most densely populated cities. FCR’s focus is on creating thriving urban neighbourhoods to generate value for businesses, residents, communities, and investors.
FCR has taken the position of being a leader in sustainable and low-carbon practices as a real estate developer and property manager. Starting as early as 2010, FCR has committed to incorporating sustainability into the core of the real estate cycle, from acquisitions and developments through to operations.
Early commitments include constructing all new builds to LEED Silver standards and retrofitting all of its exterior and parking lot lighting to LEDs. FCR also incorporates metrics of walkability, transit friendly-ness, and neighbourhood density into its business strategy.
FCR’s sustainability and ESG objectives are guided by its executive leadership through the ESG Roadmap. Highlights of the ESG Roadmap include planning for net zero carbon emissions and engaging tenants in sustainability.
Learn more about FCR’s commitment to sustainability.
Minto
Minto Group (Minto) is one of the premier real estate companies in Canada with a fully integrated real estate investment, development, and investment business platform. Since 1955, Minto has built more than 94,000 new homes, and currently manages more than 13,900 rental suites and 2.4 million square feet of office and retail space.
Minto is committed to creating healthy, vibrant communities by:
- Investing in innovations
- Reducing the environmental impact of our operations as well as our products
- Ensuring our communities and workplaces are healthy and safe
- Supporting the communities we live and work in through corporate philanthropy and volunteerism
- Supporting the professional development of our people
- Rewarding our employees for their contributions.
Learn more about Minto‘s sustainability plans.
Greenrock Real Estate Advisors
Greenrock is a third-generation family business with over 60 years of experience providing real estate and asset management services in Toronto. Our asset portfolio spans nearly 2 million sq. ft. across Toronto, including two commercial towers and six multi-unit residential buildings. Caring about the communities we operate and do business in is at the core of what we do. We strive to provide an exceptional personal experience to all who live and work in our buildings by establishing a culture of service that prioritizes investing in people, property, innovation, stewardship, sustainability, and social responsibility. Reducing our environmental footprint is just one of many ways we support this commitment. Learn more about Greenrock’s sustainability work.
Triovest
Triovest is a Canadian investment manager and developer of institutional-quality properties. With over 25 years of real estate investment expertise, Triovest is one of the largest privately-owned commercial real estate companies in Canada. Its portfolio of office, industrial, residential, retail, and mixed-use properties is valued at over $12 billion, with $2 billion currently under development. Triovest offers a full suite of complementary real estate services, including asset management, leasing, property management, risk-mitigation services, sustainability, and energy management.
Triovest has a clear approach to integrating sustainability across its operations, in both the way it manages its business, and its assets to drive continuous improvement across the most-relevant environmental, social, and governance (ESG) performance indicators. Triovest has achieved a 4-star rating in the 2021 GRESB Real Estate Assessment.
For more information about Triovest, please click here. To learn more about Triovest’s sustainability program and strategy, please click here.
Humber College
The Humber College Institute of Technology and Advanced Learning (“Humber”) was established in 1967 and is one of Canada’s leading postsecondary institutions serving more than 29,200 full-time students and 56,000 continuing education registrants. Their 170 full-time programs include graduate certificates, four-year bachelor’s degrees, two and three-year diplomas, one and two-year certificates and apprenticeship training.
As part of their sustainability initiatives, Humber authorized the development of an Integrated Energy Master Plan (IEMP) in 2015 looking forward to 2034. Their IEMP included goals to:
- Reduce total greenhouse gas emissions by 30 per cent by 2034
- Reduce source energy use by 50 per cent per square foot by 2034
- Reduce water use by 50 per cent per student by 2034
Learn more about Humber‘s sustainability plans.
Menkes Developments
Menkes Developments Ltd. is an award-winning, fully integrated real estate company involved in the construction, ownership and management of office, industrial, retail and residential properties. Founded in 1954, the company is one of the largest private developers in Canada, with a primary focus in the Greater Toronto Area. Menkes is known for its innovative, multi-disciplinary approach and particularly for expertise in large-scale, mixed-use development. Past projects include the Empress Walk entertainment, shopping and residential complex in North York City Centre, and two landmark projects in Toronto’s South Core district, 25 York Street (TELUS House) office tower and the two million square foot One York Street commercial retail complex. The company’s latest project Sugar Wharf is a proposed waterfront community on an 11.5 acre site in downtown Toronto, which will be anchored by a new two-acre park.
For more information about Menkes, please visit menkes.com and follow us @MenkesLife.
Concert Properties
Putting people first is at the heart of the Concert Properties (Concert) story. In 1989, Concert was founded with a mandate to create assured rental housing. We’ve since grown and diversified – and the Company became a real estate corporation wholly-owned by union and management pension plans representing over 200,000 Canadians.
Today, we develop and manage rental apartments and seniors’ active aging communities; develop condominium homes; develop, acquire and manage commercial properties; and invest in, develop and manage public infrastructure projects across Canada. We also have 10 mixed-use master-planned communities built or under development across Canada. We are deeply invested in improving the lives of the people who live and work in our communities, acknowledging that communities are more than just buildings.
We take pride in ensuring these communities are environmentally and socially sustainable to address climate change and reduce waste while fostering human connection. And our relentless passion for quality means we critically think about every decision, no matter how small. We hold ourselves to firm quality standards that guarantee an unparalleled execution.
We are a proud Canadian company, providing quality employment across the country, and working together with the people we serve to realize our vision—building resilient, inclusive, sustainable communities.
To deliver on this promise, Concert developed a comprehensive Sustainability Framework in 2019 that outlines principles, strategies and concrete actions we will take in order to reach specific and measurable goals.
Toronto Catholic District School Board
The Toronto Catholic District School Board (TCDSB) educates more than 84,000 students from diverse cultures and language backgrounds in 201 Catholic elementary and secondary schools, serving over half-a-million Catholic school supporters across the City of Toronto. TCDSB believes in the critical role of promoting environmental responsibility among our students, and in providing leadership in our communities to reduce carbon emissions and protect the environment. We are proud to partner in the City of Toronto’s Green Will Initiative, and continue our commitment to educate students on environmental sustainability, and endorse the attitudes, knowledge and skills to act as responsible citizens of Toronto and stewards of creation. Learn more about TCDSB’s sustainability work.
University Health Network
Since 1999, University Health Network’s (UHN) Energy & Environment department, has steered environmental stewardship at UHN, bringing a sustainability lens to the hospital’s vision of “A Healthier World”.
Embodying the value of stewardship, the team supports UHN’s purpose of “Transforming lives and communities through excellence in care, discovery and learning” by collaborating across the organization to create a culture of sustainability. UHN leads healthcare environmental sustainability locally, nationally, and around the globe. In 2019, UHN was recognized with Global Green & Healthy Hospitals 2020 Health Care Climate Challenge gold awards for Climate Resiliency and Climate Leadership, and Smart Commute’s platinum designation for sustainable transportation.
By embedding a systematic approach to environmental stewardship, UHN receives a triple benefit to environmental, financial, and human health that far outweighs the efforts. This core UHN value powers patient and planet-centred care.
University of Toronto
The University of Toronto is a global leader in research and teaching. It stands among the best public universities in the world and is recognized as Canada’s top university. U of T has three campuses, with more than 64,000 students at the St. George campus, more than 14,000 at the Scarborough campus, and more than 16,000 at the Mississauga campus. The University offers over 700 undergraduate programs and 300 graduate programs in a wide variety of fields.
U of T is on an ongoing mission—to embed sustainability into the fabric of all that it does. The principles of regenerative sustainability and the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals act as their guide towards becoming a model of sustainability worldwide.
A commitment to sustainability goes as far back as the 1970s, when the University hired its first full-time energy manager. The St. George campus has cut greenhouse gas emissions (GHG) by 43,000 tonnes from 2009 to 2019, and the reductions continue with the commitment of an additional 35,000 tonnes by 2030 through its tri-campus 2019 Low Carbon Action Plan. The University’s Climate Positive Plan for the St. George campus was released in October 2021, which will reduce GHG emissions beyond carbon neutral by 2050—providing a net benefit to our community.
In addition, U of T:
- was the first university to join the UN-convened Net-Zero Asset Owner Alliance
- co-founded the Investing to Address Climate Change charter
- is a founding member of the U7+ Alliance of World Universities
- is a member of the University Climate Change Coalition
- is a founding participant of Climate Engagement Canada.
York University
York University is a top-ranked international teaching and research university, empowered by a welcoming and diverse community with a uniquely global perspective. York University boasts over 54,000 students enrolled in 200+ undergraduate and graduate degree programs among three core campuses and a series of satellite locations within Ontario and abroad. York University strives to prepare students for their long-term career and personal success with an emphasis on making things right for communities, the plant, and the future.
As part of their sustainability initiatives, York University has undergone multiple energy reduction projects since 2018, such as roof replacements on a number of buildings, university wide LED lighting conversion, HVAC improvements at both the Glendon and Keele Campuses, and Central Plant energy reduction initiatives related to heat recovery, steam traps, and the cooling towers. Learn more about York University’s sustainability work and their commitments to achieving carbon neutrality by 2049.
Cadillac Fairview
Cadillac Fairview (CF) is a globally-focused owner, operator, investor, and developer of best-in-class real estate across retail, office, residential, industrial and mixed-use asset classes. Wholly owned by the Ontario Teachers’ Pension Plan, CF manages in excess of $36 billion of assets across the Americas and the United Kingdom, with further expansion planned into Europe and Asia.
CF’s heritage is one of seeing growth and opportunity in distinctive urban spaces. For more than 60 years, the organization has built a rich history of developing and operating best-in-class commercial properties in collaboration with community members; innovating to reduce its environmental footprint, and striving for excellence in the areas of efficient resource use, waste reduction, greenhouse gas emissions, and building resilience.
With its purpose of transforming communities for a vibrant tomorrow, CF strives to make a positive impact in the communities it serves by promoting social connection, growth, and a sustainable future. Learn more about CF’s sustainability work.
Toronto District School Board
The Toronto District School Board (TDSB) is the largest and one of the most diverse school boards in Canada, serving approximately 247,000 elementary and secondary students. The TDSB’s building portfolio of over 580 facilities across the city of Toronto includes schools, outdoor education centres and administrative centres.
The TDSB has been engaged in climate action for over 20 years. During this time, it has gradually reduced greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from buildings, spearheaded the EcoSchools movement spreading across Canada, and established numerous programs and partnerships to support and expand education for sustainability.
While teaching and learning are the heart of the TDSB, facilities and building operations play a major role in the TDSB’s climate action plan. Find out more about TDSB’s sustainability plans.
Toronto Metropolitan University
Toronto Metropolitan University (TMU) is Canada’s leader in innovative, career-oriented education. Urban, culturally diverse and inclusive, TMU is home to more than 45,300 students, including 2,600 Master’s and PhD students, 3,800 faculty and staff, and nearly 198,000 alumni worldwide.
As part of its commitment to delivering an exceptional educational experience, TMU is developing sustainable operating practices and capital investment strategies. This commitment is rooted in the shared responsibility to build and operate a campus that reduces the collective impact on the environment while contributing to the overall well-being of its students, staff, faculty, and alumni. TMU continuously seeks new and innovative ways to demonstrate sustainability leadership in its academic research, teaching, learning, engagement and operations. As a university, TMU appreciates the importance of sharing its learnings with the community and other institutions that are looking to do the same.
Oxford Properties
Oxford Properties Group (“Oxford”) is a leading global real estate investor, asset manager and business builder. It builds, buys and grows defined real estate operating business with world-class management teams. Established in 1960, Oxford and its portfolio companies manage approximately C$70 billion of assets across four continents on behalf of their investment partners. Oxford’s owned portfolio encompasses office, logistics, retail, multifamily residential, life sciences and hotels; it spans more than 150 million square feet in global gateway cities and high-growth hubs. A thematic investor with a committed source of capital, Oxford invests in properties, portfolios, development sites, debt, securities and real estate businesses across the risk-reward spectrum. Together with its portfolio companies, Oxford is one of the world’s most active developers with over 100 projects currently underway globally across all major asset classes. Oxford is owned by the Ontario Municipal Employees Retirement System (OMERS), the Canadian defined benefit pension plan for Ontario’s municipal employees.
Click here for highlights of Oxford’s significant investment in renewable projects. For more information on Oxford, click here.
Toronto Community Housing
Toronto Community Housing Corporation (TCHC) is the largest social housing provider in Canada and home to more than 110,000 people living in nearly 60,000 low-and moderate-income households. TCHC owns and manages rental units across 2,100 buildings in Toronto. TCHC’s portfolio contains nearly 50 million sq. ft. of residential space and is a $10-billion public asset. Tenants come from many different backgrounds with a diversity in age, education, language, mental and physical disability, religion, ethnicity and race.
TCHC’s efforts in energy management and sustainability spans more than a decade. The Smart Buildings & Energy Management team collaborates with internal and external stakeholders to deliver a wide spectrum of electricity, natural gas, water and waste programs, which are complemented by tenant engagement and conservation efforts to enhance and sustain savings over time. Multiple teams are involved in conceptualizing various energy management initiatives by defining program objectives. TCHC also partners with all three orders of government, publicly funded agencies, leading industry experts and educational institutions to undertake new energy efficiency initiatives.
Learn more about TCHC’s work.
Brookfield Properties
Brookfield Properties develops and operates properties around the globe. At our seven Toronto office properties, we’re proud to bring high-quality, sustainable real estate to life every day. For Brookfield Properties, sustainability isn’t a box we check. It’s how we do business. Respect for the environment is embedded into all aspects of our operations, from conserving energy, to managing resources, to reducing waste. The environmental performance of our properties matters. Which is why we keep pushing forward the five-year measure we use as our baseline. Whether we’re comparing our current performance against our past performance, or the performance of our peers – we are continually driving improvement and building value.
Click here for more details of Brookfield’s ESG work.
City of Toronto
TransformTO, the City of Toronto’s climate change action strategy, was unanimously approved by City Council in 2017. TransformTO outlines a set of long-term, low-carbon goals and strategies to reduce community-wide GHG emissions in Toronto. Toronto’s long-term goal is to achieve net zero by 2050 or sooner.
With the goal of leading by example, TransformTO also includes strategies to achieve low-carbon goals at City-owned facilities, including a goal for 100 per cent of existing City-owned buildings to be retrofitted to achieve 40 per cent energy savings, on average, by 2040.
The effective implementation of energy efficiency measures and building retrofits are key components of the City’s strategy to achieve these ambitious goals.
The City’s current 5-year Energy Conservation and Demand Management Plan (2019 – 2024) takes a “whole city” approach to achieving these goals. The City plans to implement energy retrofit and renewable energy measures within its buildings to deliver the greatest impact.