• Five-year high: Calls from homeowners to lawyers about foreclosure surge
• More than 70 percent of homeowners and buyers worry a recession and tariffs will derail homeownership plans
• 44 percent of homeowners regret not using a lawyer during the homebuying process to protect their asset

ADA, Okla.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Legal requests related to foreclosures have reached their highest level in five years, coinciding with a new LegalShield survey showing that more than 70 percent of homeowners and prospective buyers worry that a potential recession and tariffs could disrupt their housing plans.

LegalShield also saw a marked drop in inquiries related to home purchases and housing construction, suggesting a potential slowdown in the overall housing market.

“The hard data from consumers calling lawyers matches their fears about the economy: their homes are at risk and things may get worse,” said Warren Schlichting, LegalShield CEO. “The other concerning finding is a drop in consumers asking for help to buy a home and a decline in questions from builders.”

Foreclosure Surge Reflects Mounting Economic Strain

Calls to LegalShield provider lawyers about foreclosures spiked in May to the highest level since April 2020.

“Our data highlights a convergence of pressures: buyers from the homebuying surge a few years ago want help with rising insurance premiums, property tax reassessments, and adjustable-rate mortgage resets,” said Matt Layton, senior vice president of consumer analytics. “People are reaching out to LegalShield provider lawyers to save their homes, and they’re scared of the next shoe to drop in the economy.”

Signs of the Times: Home Sales and Construction Inquiries Sink

In a potential sign of a coming slowdown in housing transactions and construction, LegalShield saw significant declines in inquiries about buying and selling existing homes and home building.

LegalShield fields approximately 150,000 calls monthly from consumers nationwide covering more than 90 areas of law, including real estate-related issues.

In May, legal activity related to housing sales fell to its lowest level since July 2023, the last time the Federal Reserve raised interest rates. Both buyers and sellers face mounting friction amid affordability challenges due to mortgage rate uncertainty, elevated home prices and inventory challenges.

LegalShield’s Housing Construction Index, which tracks closely with Housing Starts reported by the U.S. Census Bureau, is now at its lowest level since March 2020 and down 4.1% this year suggesting a potential slowdown in new home building.

Legal Problems Driving Buyers Away

The nationwide survey, conducted in May, found that over a third of current homeowners (38%) experience costly legal issues related to their property, and 30% of all respondents have walked away from buying a home due to preventable legal problems. Homeowners say they regret not consulting an attorney in their homebuying process (44%).

“Perhaps now more than ever, consumers need to consider how to protect themselves and their asset if they are able to buy a home in the midst of these economic headwinds,” said Schlichting. “Instead of calling a lawyer after something goes wrong, smart homeowners are starting to get legal advice upfront—before they buy, before they renovate, before problems become expensive disasters.”

The LegalShield survey was conducted in May 2025 and surveyed 802 adults, ages 25-80, who live in the United States. The sample was balanced by age, among other demographic variables, according to the U.S. Census.

About LegalShield:

For more than 50 years, LegalShield has provided everyday Americans with easy and affordable access to legal advice, counsel, protection, and representation. Serving millions, LegalShield is one of the world’s largest platforms for legal, identity, and reputation management services protecting individuals and businesses across North America. Founded in 1972, LegalShield, and its privacy management product, IDShield, has provided individuals, families, businesses, and employers with tools and services needed to affordably live a just and secure life. Through technology and innovation, LegalShield is disrupting the traditional legal system and transforming how and where people receive legal guidance and services, with access to hundreds of qualified, trusted attorneys and law firms. LegalShield and IDShield are products of Pre-Paid Legal Services, Inc. To learn more about LegalShield and IDShield, visit LegalShield.com and IDShield.com.

Contacts

LegalShield Media Contact:
Hollon Kohtz, Director of Communications

hollonkohtz@pplsi.com

Initial raise of $10 million to be used to accelerate on- and off-reserve housing projects

TORONTO–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Keewaywin Capital Inc., an Indigenous-led private credit investment firm focused on housing development for Indigenous communities across Canada, has announced the initial close of its inaugural Fund I, securing more than $10 million in commitments.

With commitments from limited private-capital partners including Realize Capital, Rally Assets, Addenda Capital, and the Tachane Foundation, the fund will help launch on-reserve housing and related infrastructure projects in both on- and off-reserve communities.

The initial close of Fund I marks the first public-private partnership focused on funding Indigenous housing construction under Canada’s newly formed government, which has made addressing the country’s broader housing crisis a top priority.

Keewaywin Fund I will invest in scalable, community-led housing projects driven by and for Indigenous communities on and off reserve. Initial capital deployments are planned for this summer, with early projects set to include:

• A modular housing development of up to 30 homes in Northern Manitoba;
• A CMHC Section 95 project in Central Manitoba.

“Fund I offers private investors a meaningful way to connect with and invest in Indigenous communities, something that hasn’t existed in this form in this country before,” says Tracee Smith, founder and CEO of Keewaywin and a member of the Missanabie Cree First Nation. “With a $44 billion shortfall to meet current housing needs, and another $16 billion required by 2040 to support population growth, it is imperative that governments and the private sector work together to ensure that future generations have the space and infrastructure to remain in and connected to their communities.”

“This fund, led by changemaker Tracee Smith, represents the kind of community-rooted innovation our Impact Fixed Income strategy is designed to support,” says Carl Pelland, Vice-President, Fixed Income, and Head, Corporate and Impact Bonds at Addenda Capital. “It aligns closely with our community development theme by directing capital toward Indigenous led solutions that recognize housing as a foundation for broader social and economic outcomes.”

Pelland adds: “This investment opportunity represents a promising step toward scalable social impact, delivering value for investors while supporting the economic advancement of Indigenous communities both on- and off-reserve. We’re proud to be partnering with Keewaywin Capital on this important initiative.”

“We’re glad to contribute to this fund, which represents a much-needed opportunity to help accelerate the delivery of community-driven housing by Indigenous communities, creating long-term value and resilience,” says Lars Boggild, Portfolio Manager, Realize Capital Partners, a wholesaler for the Government of Canada’s Social Finance Fund. Realize Capital is powered by Rally Assets.

Keewaywin Capital anticipates full commitment of the proceeds raised for Fund I by the end of 2025. The firm is exploring additional potential projects that, pending scale, would seek to deploy additional capital and resources in 2026.

About Keewaywin Capital Inc.

Keewaywin Capital Inc. is a 100% Indigenous-owned private credit investment fund focused on dedicated housing development for Indigenous communities across Canada. The firm provides short-term construction loans to accelerate Indigenous-led development, and works in close partnership with community leaders, government agencies, and private capital to deliver sustainable housing solutions that best suit individual Indigenous communities.

For more information, visit Keewaywin Capital.

Contacts

For press inquiries: keewaywin@goldcomm.co | Goldcomm – 416-322-2863

LADERA RANCH, Calif.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Strategic Storage Growth Trust III, Inc. (“SSGT III”), a private real estate investment trust sponsored by an affiliate of SmartStop Self Storage REIT, Inc. (“SmartStop”), is pleased to announce the acquisition of a Class A self-storage facility located at 1305 East 7th Avenue in Vancouver, British Columbia.

This five-level, purpose-built facility offers approximately 52,400 net rentable square feet and features 790 climate-controlled interior units, five drive-up units, and five underground parking stalls. It includes two elevators for convenient customer access and is located in a dense residential area with strong household incomes and projected population growth of approximately 8% over the next five years.

With visibility to roughly 25,000 vehicles per day, the facility is well-positioned to meet demand from both residents and local businesses across Grandview-Woodland, Mount Pleasant, Strathcona, Hastings-Sunrise, Kensington-Cedar Cottage, Renfrew-Collingwood, and Riley Park.

Adding to the strength of this acquisition is the City of Vancouver’s increasingly restrictive stance on new self-storage development. Recent zoning changes limit the ability to build new facilities, particularly in transit-oriented and industrial zones, making approved, purpose-built assets like this one both rare and highly valuable in the market.

“This facility is a rare find in a highly constrained market and aligns perfectly with our strategy of acquiring well-located, high-quality assets in dense, growing urban areas,” said H. Michael Schwartz, CEO of SSGT III. “With Vancouver’s tightening development restrictions and strong demographic trends, we believe this property is well-positioned to deliver long-term value.”

About Strategic Storage Growth Trust III, Inc. (SSGT III):

SSGT III is a Maryland corporation that elected to qualify as a REIT for federal income tax purposes. SSGT III’s primary investment strategy is to invest in growth-oriented self-storage facilities and related self-storage real estate investments in the United States and Canada. As of June 25, 2025, SSGT III has a portfolio of 13 operating properties in the United States, comprising approximately 10,420 and 1,229,675 net rentable square feet; five operating properties in Canada, comprising approximately 3,170 units and 325,190 net rentable square feet; and joint venture interests in three developments in two Canadian provinces (Québec and British Columbia). In addition, a subsidiary of SSGT III serves as the sponsor of a Delaware Statutory Trust, which currently owns two operating properties in the United States comprising approximately 1,040 units and 123,000 net rentable square feet.

About SmartStop Self Storage REIT, Inc. (SmartStop):

SmartStop Self Storage REIT, Inc. (“SmartStop”) (NYSE: SMA) is a self-managed REIT with a fully integrated operations team of more than 600 self-storage professionals focused on growing the SmartStop® Self Storage brand. SmartStop, through its indirect subsidiary SmartStop REIT Advisors, LLC, also sponsors other self-storage programs. As of June 25, 2025, SmartStop has an owned or managed portfolio of 229 operating properties in 23 states, the District of Columbia, and Canada, comprising approximately 164,300 units and 18.4 million rentable square feet. SmartStop and its affiliates own or manage 43 operating self-storage properties in Canada, which total approximately 36,400 units and 3.7 million rentable square feet. Additional information regarding SmartStop is available at www.smartstopselfstorage.com

Contacts

David Corak
Senior VP of Corporate Finance & Strategy

SmartStop Self Storage REIT, Inc.

IR@smartstop.com

From low-carbon concrete innovation to affordable housing leadership, Daniels showcases the power of partnerships to drive lasting impact.

Highlights from the 2024 Report:

• Invested over $1.4 million in social procurement, with 92 per cent directed to diverse suppliers.
• Donated $401,000 to not-for-profit, charitable, and grassroots organizations.
• Generated $131,000 in wages through youth employment programs like CRAFT and MTO.
• Engaged over 1,500 residents through 25 community events and the Amenity Activation Program.
• Provided $176,000 in foregone commercial rent to support not-for-profit and artist tenants through the Social Impact Commercial Program.

TORONTO–(BUSINESS WIRE)–The Daniels Corporation (“Daniels”), one of Canada’s leading builders and developers, proudly unveils its 2024 Impact Report, marking 40 years of purpose-driven city-building. Released at a time when many organizations across a wide range of sectors are scaling back on social impact and environmental initiatives due to economic challenges, this year’s report reaffirms Daniels’ unwavering commitment that business can and must be a platform for good.

Themed “Building Inclusive & Sustainable Communities,” the report highlights Daniels’ continued investment in equity, innovation, and environmental leadership, even in the face of economic uncertainty.

Fostering Inclusive Communities

In 2024, Daniels continued to lead with purpose by building communities rooted in equity, affordability, and inclusion. The company delivered 51 new homes through its Accessibility Designed Program (ADP) and announced the upcoming public release of its ADP Technical Standards Guide. This milestone reflects Daniels’ continued effort to raise the bar for accessibility in the real estate industry.

In addition to advancing accessibility, Daniels delivered 16 affordable homes and supported initiatives that bring people together across income levels. Daniels made its highest annual investment in social procurement to date, spending over $1.4 million. Of this, 92 per cent was directed to diverse suppliers, reinforcing the company’s commitment to supporting inclusive local economies.

One standout moment in 2024 was the musical fundraiser Songs from The Journey, which raised an impressive $1.2 million. Proceeds supported both Daniels Spectrum and the launch of the My Piece of the City initiative, an exciting new program that enables Toronto’s diverse communities to host events at Koerner Hall at significantly reduced rates. Created in partnership with the Royal Conservatory of Music, the program is helping to make one of the city’s premier cultural venues more financially accessible and inclusive.

“At Daniels, building homes means creating inclusive communities where everyone feels safe and supported,” said Jake Cohen, Chief Operating Officer, The Daniels Corporation. “From advancing accessibility standards to expanding affordable housing, we’re proud to lead purpose-driven progress rooted in equity and innovation.”

Influencing Sustainable Communities

Daniels remains at the forefront of low-carbon development through its industry-leading Decarbonization Roadmap, first launched in 2023.

In 2024, Daniels introduced its first public carbon label for a rental community, Uniti Rental Residence in Brampton, which has been designed to deliver a 55 per cent reduction in operating emissions, primarily using geoexchange technology. In total, the company has now published five carbon labels across four unique communities.

Daniels also completed Ontario’s largest low-carbon concrete pilot at Daniels on Parliament condominiums in Regent Park. By using over 22,000m3 of low-carbon concrete formulation, the average carbon footprint was reduced by 16 per cent compared to Ontario Industry-Average products. These innovations reflect Daniels’ commitment to designing for future generations and advancing toward its Generation 2 performance target: Near-Zero Whole Life Carbon by 2026.

“As we reflect on 40 years of building, this report is not just a record of accomplishments but reaffirms our purpose and impact on Canadian land development,” said Cohen. “We believe in designing for future generations, and we are excited to be leading the industry forward on the path to near-zero whole life carbon.”

To read Daniels’ 2024 Impact Report visit: https://danielshomes.ca/social-impact/

About The Daniels Corporation

The Daniels Corporation, named the 2025 BILD Home Builder of the Year, is one of Canada’s pre-eminent builders and developers, with nearly 40,000 new homes built across the Greater Toronto Area for over 40 years. Daniels is the developer of TIFF Bell Lightbox in Toronto’s Entertainment District and the City of the Arts community on Toronto’s East Bayfront. Among its many initiatives, Daniels partnered with Toronto Community Housing to revitalize 53 of the 69-acre Regent Park community in Toronto — now home to the World Urban Pavilion, a collaboration between the Urban Economy Forum, UN-Habitat, Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation, and Daniels. Recognized for its leadership, professionalism, and commitment to design excellence, construction quality, and customer care, Daniels goes beyond building Homes. With a deep understanding that quality of life is created by more than physical structures, it integrates building excellence with opportunities for social, cultural, and economic well-being.

Contacts

Media Contact:
Emily Ellis

Account Director

Kaiser & Partners Inc.

emily.ellis@kaiserpartners.com

New executive appointments extend company’s commitment to scaling global quantum infrastructure and industry leadership

VANCOUVER, British Columbia–(BUSINESS WIRE)–#NewHire—Photonic Inc., a leader in distributed, fault-tolerant quantum computing, today announced two key executive team additions: Kirsten Sutton has been named Chief Operating Officer (COO), and Prof. Alex van Someren has been appointed as a Strategic Advisor. These appointments will expedite the company’s growth as it accelerates the timeline to commercially useful quantum applications.

Sutton brings with her 30 years of experience managing intricate technological processes, as well as a wealth of expertise in software development, IT infrastructure, and cybersecurity. A respected leader in Canada’s technology sector, she previously held top executive positions at organizations such as SAP and Vancity. With leadership contributions to organizations like the Quantum Algorithms Institute, Science World, and the Greater Vancouver Board of Trade, she is also a devoted supporter of inclusive innovation.

“Photonic is driving a major shift in computing – and it is incredibly exciting,” said Sutton. “I’m honored to step into this role at such a pivotal moment and to be part of a team that’s not just imagining the future of quantum but actively building it.”

With decades of experience in national security, deep tech venture capital, and cybersecurity, Prof. van Someren has joined Photonic as a Strategic Advisor. An experienced entrepreneur, he co-founded two technology firms that went public and had successful exits. Later, he was the Managing Partner for Early Stage funds at UK venture capital firm Amadeus Capital Partners. Most recently, he was the UK’s Chief Scientific Adviser for National Security, where he also advised the NATO Innovation Fund.

Van Someren added, “Photonic’s vision for quantum computing and networking will address some of the most meaningful and complex challenges both industry and government are facing. I’m excited to help it achieve its goals to bring about a quantum-enabled future.”

“These are significant additions to our team,” stated Dr. Paul Terry, CEO, Photonic. “Kirsten offers a unique blend of people-oriented leadership and operational knowledge, while Alex provides a strategic perspective molded by extensive experience in multiple relevant fields. Both are pivotal to our growth and realization of our bold vision.”

About Photonic

Photonic Inc. is a leading quantum company developing commercial-scale quantum computers and quantum networks to solve some of the world’s most pressing challenges across materials science, drug discovery, climate change, security, and more. Photonic’s Entanglement First™ architecture is designed to deliver at scale, leveraging optically linked silicon spin qubits with high connectivity. This approach enables entanglement distribution for powerful computation, efficient error correction, and seamless integration into existing data center and telecom environments. Headquartered in Vancouver, British Columbia, with operations in the United States and the United Kingdom, Photonic has over 150 employees and is backed by leading investors and multinational partners. To learn more, visit www.photonic.com.

Contacts

Media Contacts:

Laurie Davis

+1 804 337 2569

laurie_davis@interprosepr.com

Vivian Kelly

+1 703 509 5412

viviankelly@interprosepr.com

Agents remain optimistic, prioritizing economics and culture over brand in brokerage decisions

MIAMI–(BUSINESS WIRE)–The Real Brokerage Inc. (NASDAQ: REAX, “Real”), a technology platform reshaping real estate for agents, home buyers and sellers, today released results from its May 2025 Agent Survey. The data reflects a housing market continuing to moderate, with agents reporting softer transaction activity and a clear shift in leverage toward buyers. Despite near-term headwinds, nearly 6 in 10 agents remain optimistic about their local markets over the next 12 months.

This month’s survey also provides a look into what drives agents’ decisions when choosing a brokerage, expressing brand affiliation plays a surprisingly minimal role in their choice. Instead, agents overwhelmingly prioritize compensation structure, company culture, and technology when selecting where to affiliate. Similarly, agents report that clients select them based on personal relationships, responsiveness, and professional reputation, rather than the brokerage’s brand name.

“Based on our survey, the spring market is clearly tilting toward buyers, with more inventory and greater pricing flexibility emerging across many regions,” said Tamir Poleg, Chairman and CEO of Real. “But even with this shift in leverage, affordability remains a key hurdle. Until mortgage rates ease or wage growth catches up, we expect this dynamic of increased supply yet more selective demand to define the market in the near term.”

“This month’s survey reinforces what we hear from agents every day: they’re choosing brokerages based on what truly moves their business forward: economics, culture and technology,” said Dre Madden, Chief Marketing Officer at Real. “While brand recognition still matters, it’s our values, our tools and our agent-first model that continue to drive growth and attract top talent to Real.”

Key Survey Findings: Market Trends and Insights

• Home Sales Activity Continues to Slow in May: Real’s Transaction Growth Index, which tracks year-over-year changes in home-sales activity reported by agents, declined to 44.2 in May, down from 47.8 in April. A reading below 50 indicates contraction. In the U.S., the subindex slipped to 43.9 from 49.0, while Canada’s reading was more positive, improving to 46.7 from 36.3.
• Agent Optimism Remains Positive, Though Softening: Real’s Agent Optimism Index, which measures agents’ 12-month outlook for their local markets, declined to 57.0 in May from 65.8 in April. While a reading above 50 indicates net optimism, the trend is downward. Still, 38% of agents felt more optimistic in May (including 8% who felt significantly more optimistic), compared to 22% who felt more pessimistic and 31% reporting no change from the prior month.
• Buyers Regain Market Power: In May, 43% of agents said their local market favors buyers, while only 28% said it favored sellers, and 29% described conditions as balanced. Agents cited rising inventory, longer times on the market and greater room for negotiation as signals of this ongoing power shift.
• Affordability and Economic Concerns Lead Buyer Challenges: Affordability was again the top challenge facing buyers, cited by 50% of agents. However, concern about the broader economy grew significantly: 28% of agents named economic uncertainty as the biggest barrier to buyers, up from 23% in April and the highest since the survey began. Inventory constraints (14%) and buyer competition (5%) were seen as lesser issues.

Key Survey Findings: Agent Priorities and Impact of Brokerage Brand

• Brokerage Brand Plays Limited Role in Agent Affiliation: When asked what three factors most influenced their decision to join their current brokerage, only 6% of agents selected brand reputation. Instead, agents overwhelmingly prioritized:
  • Economics (commission split, cap, revenue share) – 64%
  • Company Culture and Values – 55%
  • Technology and Tools – 38%
  • Freedom and Flexibility (e.g., ability to work how/where desired) – 32%
  • Equity Ownership Opportunity – 28%
  • Leadership and Management – 26%
  • Training and Professional Development – 17%
• Clients Prioritize Agent Relationships Over Brokerage Brand: Agents confirmed that client decisions are driven by trust and relationships, not brokerage brand identity. The most influential factors include:
  • Personal Relationships and Referrals: Cited by 89% of agents as the top driver for client choice.
  • Responsiveness and Communication: 60% of agents highlight timely follow-up and clear communication as critical for earning client trust and business.
  • Professional Reputation: 54% of agents noted their track record as a key factor in clients choosing to work with them.
• Brokerage Brand Affiliation Less Important to Clients. Regarding the importance of brand affiliation to clients, the survey found:
  • A significant 58% of agents believe brand affiliation is not important to clients (38% “not very important” and 20% “not at all important”).
  • Only 27% consider it “somewhat important,” while a combined 15% (9% “very important” and 6% “extremely important”) view it as highly important.

A summary presentation of these results can be found on Real’s investor relations website at https://investors.onereal.com/.

About the Survey

The Real Brokerage May 2025 Agent Survey included responses from over 260 real estate agents across the United States and Canada and was conducted between June 8, 2025 and June 18, 2025. Responses to questions regarding transaction growth and agent optimism were calibrated on a 0-100 point index scale, with readings above 50 indicating an improving trend, whereas readings below 50 indicate a declining trend. Responses are meant to capture industry-level information and are not meant to serve as an indication of Real’s company-specific growth trends. Additionally, given the smaller sample size, there can be greater variability in Canada index results on a month-to-month basis.

About Real

Real (NASDAQ: REAX) is a real estate experience company working to make life’s most complex transaction simple. The fast-growing company combines essential real estate, mortgage and closing services with powerful technology to deliver a single seamless end-to-end consumer experience, guided by trusted agents. With a presence in all 50 states throughout the U.S. and Canada, Real supports over 27,000 agents who use its digital brokerage platform and tight-knit professional community to power their own forward-thinking businesses.

Forward-Looking Information

This press release contains forward-looking information within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities laws. Forward-looking information is often, but not always, identified by the use of words such as “seek”, “anticipate”, “believe”, “plan”, “estimate”, “expect”, “likely” and “intend” and statements that an event or result “may”, “will”, “should”, “could” or “might” occur or be achieved and other similar expressions. These statements reflect management’s current beliefs and are based on information currently available to management as of the date hereof. Forward-looking information in this press release includes, without limiting the foregoing, expectations regarding the residential real estate market in the U.S. and Canada.

Forward-looking information is based on assumptions that may prove to be incorrect, including but not limited to expectations regarding 2025 market conditions. Real considers these assumptions to be reasonable in the circumstances. However, forward-looking information is subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that could cause actual results, performance or achievements to differ materially from those expressed or implied in the forward-looking information. Important factors that could cause such differences include, but are not limited to, slowdowns in real estate markets and economic and industry downturns, and those risk factors discussed under the heading “Risk Factors” in the Company’s Annual Information Form dated March 6, 2025, and “Risks and Uncertainties” in the Company’s Quarterly Management’s Discussion and Analysis for the period ended March 31, 2025, copies of which are available under the Company’s SEDAR+ profile at www.sedarplus.ca. These factors should be carefully considered and readers should not place undue reliance on the forward-looking statements. Although the forward-looking statements contained in this press release are based upon what management believes to be reasonable assumptions, Real cannot assure readers that actual results will be consistent with these forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements are made as of the date of this press release, and Real assumes no obligation to update or revise them to reflect new events or circumstances, except as required by law.

Contacts

Investor inquiries:

Ravi Jani

Chief Financial Officer

investors@therealbrokerage.com
908.280.2515

For media inquiries:

Elisabeth Warrick

Senior Director, Marketing, Communications & Brand

press@therealbrokerage.com
201.564.4221

LADERA RANCH, Calif.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Strategic Storage Growth Trust III, Inc. (“SSGT III”), a private real estate investment trust sponsored by an affiliate of SmartStop Self Storage REIT, Inc. (“SmartStop”), is pleased to announce the acquisition of a Class A self-storage facility in Houston, Texas.

Located at 3130 Southwest Freeway, the newly acquired facility offers approximately 98,875 net rentable square feet in a 10-story building. This upscale facility features approximately 789 interior, climate-controlled units, 16 lockers, and 72 dedicated wine storage vaults. Positioned in an upscale area just 3.5 miles southwest of downtown Houston, it boasts prominent visibility along the U.S. 69 highway, which experiences approximately 236,461 vehicles daily.

The area within a three-mile radius boasts substantial household incomes and anticipates population growth of 8.2% over the next five years. This facility will serve the neighborhoods of Montrose, Upper Kirby, Midtown, Museum District, West University Place, and Greenway/Upper Greenway.

“This acquisition marks a strategic step forward in expanding our footprint into one of the nation’s most dynamic and growing metropolitan areas,” said H. Michael Schwartz, CEO of SSGT III. “This Class A facility enhances our portfolio with its prime location, modern features, and specialized offerings. We are confident it will meet the evolving needs of residents and businesses in the area while creating long-term value for our investors.”

About Strategic Storage Growth Trust III, Inc. (SSGT III):

SSGT III is a Maryland corporation that elected to qualify as a REIT for federal income tax purposes. SSGT III’s primary investment strategy is to invest in growth-oriented self-storage facilities and related self-storage real estate investments in the United States and Canada. As of June 23, 2025, SSGT III has a portfolio of thirteen operating properties in the United States, comprising approximately 10,420 units and 1,229,675 net rentable square feet; four operating properties in Canada, comprising approximately 2,380 units and 272,800 net rentable square feet; and joint venture interests in three developments in two Canadian provinces (Québec and British Columbia). In addition, a subsidiary of SSGT III serves as the sponsor of a Delaware Statutory Trust, which currently owns two operating properties in the United States comprising approximately 1,040 units and 123,000 net rentable square feet.

About SmartStop Self Storage REIT, Inc. (SmartStop):

SmartStop Self Storage REIT, Inc. (“SmartStop”) (NYSE: SMA) is a self-managed REIT with a fully integrated operations team of more than 600 self-storage professionals focused on growing the SmartStop® Self Storage brand. SmartStop, through its indirect subsidiary SmartStop REIT Advisors, LLC, also sponsors other self-storage programs. As of June 23, 2025, SmartStop has an owned or managed portfolio of 228 operating properties in 23 states, the District of Columbia, and Canada, comprising approximately 163,500 units and 18.4 million rentable square feet. SmartStop and its affiliates own or manage 42 operating self-storage properties in Canada, which total approximately 35,700 units and 3.6 million rentable square feet. Additional information regarding SmartStop is available at www.smartstopselfstorage.com

Contacts

David Corak
Senior VP of Corporate Finance & Strategy

SmartStop Self Storage REIT, Inc.

IR@smartstop.com

TORONTO–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Primaris Real Estate Investment Trust (“Primaris”) (TSX: PMZ.UN) announced today that it has published its inaugural Green Finance Framework (the “Framework”), under which it may issue green bonds, green loans or other related financial instruments. The framework outlines eight eligible categories for investment: green buildings, energy efficiency, renewable energy, sustainable water and wastewater management, clean transportation, climate change adaptation, pollution prevention and control, and the circular economy.

“As a Board member and Chair of the Compensation, Governance, and Nominating Committee, I’m pleased to support the introduction of our Green Finance Framework,” said Anne Fitzgerald, Trustee. “It’s a practical step that aligns with our broader sustainability strategy and helps ensure we’re investing in projects that support environmental progress in a thoughtful, responsible way.”

Rags Davloor, Chief Financial Officer added, “Today marks a significant step forward in our commitment to sustainability. With the publication of our Green Finance Framework, we are aligning our environmental goals and targets with business strategy. Proceeds from green financing will support our focus on emissions reduction, building certifications, energy and water management, and tenant sustainability impacts, while creating long-term value for our stakeholders.”

The Framework has been reviewed by Moody’s Ratings, which issued a Second Party Opinion confirming the Framework’s alignment to the International Capital Market Association Green Bond Principles (2021) and the Loan Market Association Green Loan Principles (2025).

Primaris will report annually on the allocation and impact of financed projects under the Framework on its website, and/or in its corporate reporting. The Framework and Second Party Opinion are available on the ESG section of the Primaris website.

Advisor

Scotiabank acted as sole sustainability structuring agent on the Framework.

About Primaris Real Estate Investment Trust

Primaris is Canada’s only enclosed shopping centre focused REIT, with ownership interests in leading enclosed shopping centres located in growing Canadian markets. The current portfolio totals 15.0 million square feet, valued at approximately $4.9 billion at Primaris’ share. Economies of scale are achieved through its fully internal, vertically integrated, full-service national management platform. Primaris is very well-capitalized and is exceptionally well positioned to take advantage of market opportunities at an extraordinary moment in the evolution of the Canadian retail property landscape.

Forward-Looking Statements

Certain statements included in this news release constitute “forward-looking information” or “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of applicable securities laws. The words “will”, “expects”, “plans”, “estimates”, “intends” and similar expressions are often intended to identify forward-looking statements, although not all forward-looking statements contain these identifying words. Specific forward-looking statements made or implied in this news release include but are not limited to statements regarding: Primaris’ intention and ability to complete an offering of green bonds, green loans or other related financial instruments, Primaris’ expected investment in the eligible categories outlined herein and the expected sufficiency of proceeds from any such offering to fund these investments and to create long-term value for stakeholders. Forward-looking statements are provided for the purpose of presenting information about management’s current expectations and plans relating to the future and readers are cautioned that such statements may not be appropriate for other purposes. These statements are not guarantees of future performance and are based on estimates and assumptions that are inherently subject to risks and uncertainties. Primaris cautions that although it is believed that the assumptions are reasonable in the circumstances, actual results, performance or achievements of Primaris may differ materially from the expectations set out in the forward-looking statements. Material risk factors and assumptions include those set out in Primaris’ management’s discussion and analysis for the three months and years ended December 31, 2024 and 2023, which is available on SEDAR+, and in Primaris’ other materials filed with the Canadian securities regulatory authorities from time to time. Given these risks, undue reliance should not be placed on these forward-looking statements, which apply only as of their dates. Other than as specifically required by law, Primaris undertakes no obligation to update any forward-looking statements to reflect new information, subsequent or otherwise.

For more information:

TSX: PMZ.UN

www.primarisreit.com
www.sedarplus.ca

Contacts

Alex Avery

Chief Executive Officer

416-642-7837

aavery@primarisreit.com

Rags Davloor

Chief Financial Officer

416-645-3716

rdavloor@primarisreit.com

Claire Mahaney

VP, Investor Relations & ESG

647-949-3093

cmahaney@primarisreit.com

Timothy Pire

Chair of the Board

chair@primarisreit.com

New fixed-rate Partner Pages offer seamless service integration at checkout — enhancing the customer experience, reducing support costs, and driving revenue for retail partners

SAN FRANCISCO–(BUSINESS WIRE)–#taskrabbit—Taskrabbit, the platform connecting people to skilled, reliable Taskers from their local communities, today announced the launch of Taskrabbit Partner Pages: custom landing pages that enable retailers to offer Taskrabbit services as a value-add for their customers and eliminate purchase objections based on assembly or installation. This turnkey solution from Taskrabbit is purpose-built to be configurable, offering services tailored to the customer’s needs around their purchase and a streamlined experience that together drive conversion and satisfaction for partner brands.

The U.S. launch includes Windmill, TUSHY, UPLIFT Desk, and Arcade1Up, each now offering streamlined booking experiences through co-branded Taskrabbit Partner Pages, which have also launched in the U.K. with Danetti and Millie & Jones. Customers shopping with these retailers can schedule assembly or installation help at a fixed price, with automatic matching to a qualified Tasker — no price negotiation, no added fees.

“With our new Taskrabbit Partner Pages, we’re giving retailers a powerful new way to drive conversion, reduce post-purchase friction, and ultimately grow customer brand loyalty,” said Ania Smith, CEO of Taskrabbit. “This is just the beginning for our B2B solutions — the Partner Page Program is the first in a suite of offerings we’re building to help our partners deliver long-term added value to their customers, starting at the point of purchase. Just like our other home services, we want people to enjoy their homes — including what they’ve purchased for them from our partners — without the hassle of maintenance, chores, and projects.”

“Taskrabbit is a game-changer for a fast-growing startup like Windmill,” said Mike Mayer, Co-CEO of Windmill. “While we pride ourselves on creating an easy-to-install, modern air conditioner, many of our customers prefer to avoid the hassle of doing it themselves. This seamless service integration elevates our customers’ experience and, in turn, fuels our growth, allowing us to focus on product innovation while ensuring every customer receives quick, reliable installation.”

“For many of our customers, an UPLIFT Desk is a necessity. Taskrabbit ensures physical limitations never prevents access to this essential ergonomic support,” said Daniel Burrow, Vice President of Growth & Marketing at UPLIFT Desk. “We see Taskrabbit as an extension of our commitment to the customer. It helps us deliver not just a product, but a complete, ready-to-use wellness solution.”

In conversations with partners, Taskrabbit found that they were more willing to introduce Taskrabbit services to their core customer purchase journey if a tailored experience and fixed pricing were available. Based on initial data from partners who have done so, the result is increased sales and more customers taking advantage of the offered services — with Taskrabbit bookings increasing as much as 3x.

Taskrabbit Partner Pages mark a strategic next chapter in Taskrabbit’s plan to provide even more value-add services to businesses. Building on the success of its longstanding partnership with IKEA, Taskrabbit is now expanding its partner offerings, targeting a broader ecosystem of retailers and manufacturers. Taskrabbit empowers brands to offer reliable, on-demand services — like furniture assembly, TV mounting, appliance installation, and home improvement — at the point where consumers are making purchase decisions, enhancing the post-purchase experience.

The program is an ideal solution for companies looking to enhance the customer experience without introducing additional friction or disconnected service touchpoints. They can capitalize on Taskrabbit’s expertise, capabilities, and broad service area across eight countries in North America and Europe. Additionally, Taskers benefit from a consistent stream of confirmed, predictable jobs while gaining exposure to new customers across partner channels for future bookings.

How it works:

• Fixed pricing: Each task is priced upfront based on pre-set prices for selected services
• Auto-match system: Customers are automatically paired with a qualified, available Tasker
• Optionality for Taskers: Taskers can choose which partners they work with via the Tasker app
• Clear task info: Job invitations include detailed expectations and item/service lists

For more information, visit www.taskrabbit.com/blog/partner-lp.

About Taskrabbit

Taskrabbit is a global digital platform that connects people seeking help with household tasks — such as furniture assembly, TV mounting, moving, and home improvements — to skilled, reliable Taskers in their communities. Acquired by the Ingka Group (IKEA) in 2017, Taskrabbit operates in thousands of cities across eight countries: Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Portugal, Spain, the United Kingdom, and the United States. Taskrabbit is also available in 200+ IKEA stores worldwide.

To find out more, please visit www.taskrabbit.com or join the conversation with @Taskrabbit on Instagram, TikTok, Facebook, X, LinkedIn, Pinterest, and YouTube.

Contacts

Taskrabbit PR Team

Press@taskrabbit.com

TORONTO–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Granite Real Estate Investment Trust (“Granite”) (TSX: GRT.UN / NYSE: GRP.U) announced today that its board of trustees has declared a distribution of CDN $0.2833 per unit for the month of June 2025. The distribution will be paid by Granite on July 15, 2025 to unitholders of record at the close of trading on Monday, June 30, 2025.

Granite confirms that no portion of the distribution constitutes effectively connected income for U.S. federal tax purposes. A qualified notice providing the breakdown of the sources of the distribution will be issued to the Depository Trust & Clearing Corporation subsequent to the record date of June 30, 2025, pursuant to United States Treasury Regulation Section 1.1446-4.

ABOUT GRANITE

Granite is a Canadian-based REIT engaged in the acquisition, development, ownership and management of logistics, warehouse and industrial properties in North America and Europe. Granite owns 144 investment properties representing approximately 63.3 million square feet of leasable area.

OTHER INFORMATION

Copies of financial data and other publicly filed documents about Granite are available through the internet on the Canadian Securities Administrators’ System for Electronic Data Analysis and Retrieval+ (SEDAR+) which can be accessed at www.sedarplus.ca and on the United States Securities and Exchange Commission’s Electronic Data Gathering, Analysis and Retrieval System (EDGAR) which can be accessed at www.sec.gov. For further information, please see our website at www.granitereit.com or contact Teresa Neto, Chief Financial Officer, at 647-925-7560 or Andrea Sanelli, Senior Director, Legal & Investor Services, at 647-925-7504.

Contacts

Teresa Neto

Chief Financial Officer

647-925-7560

Andrea Sanelli

Senior Director, Legal & Investor Services

647-925-7504

This new platform enables proptechs to integrate Ownright’s trusted legal services directly into their products, improving transaction speed, transparency, and client experience

TORONTO–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Ownright, Ontario’s trusted legaltech company for real estate transactions, today announced the launch of the Ownright Developer Platform, a suite of APIs and tools that allows proptech companies to embed legal closing services directly into their platforms. By opening up its infrastructure, Ownright is empowering developers to build seamless, client-first closing experiences at scale.

As Canada’s proptech market continues its rapid expansion, expected to grow at a CAGR of 17.6% from 2023 to 2030, the need for interoperable, scalable solutions has never been more urgent. The Ownright Developer Platform offers exactly that, a foundational infrastructure that allows forward-thinking real estate companies to deliver more cohesive client experiences, streamline operations, and build innovative digital workflows around real estate closings.

“Buying a home is one of the biggest moments in someone’s life, and we want to make that experience better, not just through Ownright, but by supporting the platforms people already trust,” said Robert Saunders, co-founder and CEO of Ownright. “This launch is about helping our partners grow by giving them the tools to build smoother, more transparent closing experiences right into their products. We’re proud to play a meaningful role in shaping a more seamless homeownership journey for Canadians.”

With the Ownright Developer Platform, proptech companies can seamlessly embed trusted legal services into their products. This plug-and-play infrastructure streamlines operations, reduces manual work, and provides real-time visibility into transactions, helping partners scale faster and deliver a transparent, digital-first experience to users.

What’s included in the Ownright Developer Platform?

• Refer clients instantly: Trigger legal service handoffs with a single API call with no manual coordination required.
• Track closing status in real time: Monitor the full closing journey via API and keep your users in the loop with up-to-date timelines and statuses.
• Receive webhook notifications: Get automatic alerts as key events happen, like when a transaction closes, so your platform stays in sync without polling or delays.

“As a tech-first real estate brokerage, Buy.ca values seamless communication and digital efficiency – areas where Ownright truly excels,” said Senthu Velnayagam, co-founder and CEO of Buy.ca. “In an industry often slowed by outdated processes, their transparent and user-friendly closing experience has been a breath of fresh air for our team, agents, and clients. Now, with the launch of their developer portal, we can integrate Ownright directly into Buy.ca’s search platform and enhance our planned client portal. We’re very excited about this update as it will empower our clients with timely access to critical information and resources, and help us build an even better client experience.”

This launch reinforces Ownright’s broader mission to simplify the homeownership journey by making real estate transactions more accessible, transparent, and efficient. By empowering partners with easy-to-integrate legal solutions, Ownright is not only enhancing the closing experience for buyers, sellers, and agents but also driving a digital transformation that benefits the entire Canadian real estate ecosystem.

To learn more, please visit: https://dev.ownright.com

About Ownright

Ownright is Ontario’s trusted law service for real estate transactions, designed to simplify home transactions through seamless automation, expert legal guidance, and a client-first approach. With thousands of transactions completed and nearly $1 billion in total transaction value, Ownright is the trusted legal partner for homebuyers, sellers, and real estate professionals across Ontario. Previously Doormat, the company rebranded to Ownright in 2025. For more information, visit www.ownright.com.

Contacts

Media Contact:
Samantha Berdini

Senior Account Manager, Category Communications

samantha@categorycomms.com
647-238-5256

• New project, announced at VivaTech 2025, aims to address housing, urban densification and ecological conservation challenges in the southeastern region of New Brunswick
• Collaborative virtual environments will enable stakeholders to model, analyze and plan sustainable solutions for growing populations in Dieppe and Moncton
• Dassault Systèmes will use its 3DEXPERIENCE platform to create a virtual twin of a zone in New Brunswick enriched with territorial data from the Université de Moncton and other local partners

VELIZY-VILLACOUBLAY, France–(BUSINESS WIRE)–#3DEXPERIENCE—Dassault Systèmes (Euronext Paris: FR0014003TT8, DSY.PA) and the Université de Moncton, Canada’s largest French-language university outside Québec, today announced the launch of a new project aimed to solve housing, urban densification and ecological conservation challenges in the southeastern region of New Brunswick, Canada. The partnership was signed at VivaTech 2025 in Paris.

The six-month project will develop collaborative virtual environments to model, analyze and plan sustainable urban development in the cities of Dieppe and Moncton – two of Canada’s fastest growing metropolitan areas in the last 20 years – all while establishing a protected wildlife corridor in the southeastern part of New Brunswick.

In addition to the Université de Moncton and Dassault Systèmes, the project brings together several Canadian partners: the cities of Dieppe and Moncton, the Southeast Regional Service Commission, Collège Communautaire du Nouveau-Brunswick, and the New Brunswick-based businesses Black Arcs and Remsoft.

Dassault Systèmes will use its 3DEXPERIENCE platform to create, maintain and analyze a virtual twin of a zone in New Brunswick measuring approximately 386 miles² (1,000 km²). This virtual twin is enriched with territorial data on buildings, zoning, mobility, biodiversity and more, provided by the partners.

Stakeholders will use this virtual twin to share information, test and evaluate different planning scenarios, evaluate the impacts of urban densification, and make informed decisions to optimize housing planning and preserve ecological corridors that are essential to the region’s environmental wellbeing.

“Our partnership will enable the Université de Moncton to benefit from a large-scale territory virtual twin that is delivered quickly through a managed solution that reduces costs and risks. Local stakeholders will be able to simulate what-if scenarios, evaluate options and take informed decisions – all on the 3DEXPERIENCE platform – to solve complex real-life challenges and optimize quality of life in the region of New Brunswick,” said Josephine Ong, Vice President, Cities and Public Services Industry, Dassault Systèmes.

“This partnership with Dassault Systèmes positions the Université de Moncton at the forefront of digital innovation applied to urban and environmental issues. We are proud to put our expertise at the service of a project with strong regional and international impact,” said Francis LeBlanc, associate vice-rector for research and dean of the Faculty of Graduate Studies and Research, Université de Moncton.

This collaboration was made possible thanks to the support of Opportunities New Brunswick (ONB), which played a key role in fostering the connection between Dassault Systèmes and the Université de Moncton.

“New Brunswick is truly a hub of innovation and collaboration. This partnership demonstrates the strength of the connections between research, industry, and regional development. Together, we are creating solutions that have a real local impact and significant global potential,” said Luke Randall, minister responsible for Opportunities New Brunswick.

This project represents an important step forward for urban development in New Brunswick. By combining Dassault Systèmes’ technology with local expertise, it will help plan city growth more effectively while protecting the environment. The approach could also serve as a model for other regions in Canada and beyond.

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About Dassault Systèmes

Dassault Systèmes is a catalyst for human progress. Since 1981, the company has pioneered virtual worlds to improve real life for consumers, patients and citizens. With Dassault Systèmes’ 3DEXPERIENCE platform, 370,000 customers of all sizes, in all industries, can collaborate, imagine and create sustainable innovations that drive meaningful impact. For more information, visit: www.3ds.com

About the Université de Moncton

Founded in 1963 in New Brunswick, the Université de Moncton is the largest French-language university in Canada outside Quebec, with three campuses in Edmundston, Moncton and Shippagan. Its mission is to transmit knowledge, advance research and contribute to the development of its community, by training committed, creative people who are open to the world. The Université de Moncton also plays an important role in the development of the Acadian and francophone community, regionally, nationally and internationally. For more information, visit: www.umoncton.ca.

About Opportunities New Brunswick

Opportunities New Brunswick is a Crown corporation and the lead economic development agency for the Government of New Brunswick, Canada. It seeks to attract and support opportunities to stimulate the economy and create jobs by providing support services for businesses. For more information, visit: www.onbcanada.ca

Contacts

Dassault Systèmes Press Contacts
Corporate / France

Arnaud MALHERBE

arnaud.malherbe@3ds.com
+33 (0)1 61 62 87 73

North America

Natasha LEVANTI

natasha.levanti@3ds.com
+1 (508) 449 8097

EMEA

Virginie BLINDENBERG

virginie.blindenberg@3ds.com
+33 (0) 1 61 62 84 21

China

Grace MU

grace.mu@3ds.com
+86 10 6536 2288

Japan

Reina YAMAGUCHI

reina.yamaguchi@3ds.com
+81 90 9325 2545

Korea

Jeemin JEONG

jeemin.jeong@3ds.com
+82 2 3271 6653

India

Priyanka PANDEY

priyanka.pandey@3ds.com
+91 9886302179

AP South

Hazel FOO

hazel.foo@3ds.com
+65 8333 3484

Université de Moncton Press Contact
Direction des communications

Université de Moncton

communication@umoncton.ca
www.umoncton.ca