TORONTO–(BUSINESS WIRE)–BentallGreenOak (BGO) today announced the launch of a multi-year commitment with Kids Help Phone to drive awareness and increase public understanding of the critical mental health care services that are available to youth across Canada. The partnership was inaugurated today with a $108,000 donation to Kids Help Phone, featuring donations from the firm’s corporate philanthropy program, BGO Inspired, and contributions made on behalf of BGO’s clients representing the firm’s office and industrial real estate portfolio in Canada. BGO’s 2022 donation and ensuing partnership in 2023 will serve as the kick off for financial and programmatic collaboration with Kids Help Phone over the next three years.

As part of BGO Canada’s commitment to Kids Help Phone in 2023, the firm’s 60+ million square feet of real estate assets under administration – representing office, industrial, retail, and multi-family residential property – will have the opportunity to participate in awareness campaigns aimed at expanding the public’s access and understanding of Kids Help Phone’s services. Programming and tenant/resident engagement initiatives will further extend the reach of Kids Help Phone’s outreach efforts to assist with their mandate in communities across Canada.

“The opportunity for BentallGreenOak to partner with Kids Help Phone on a national scale is a true privilege that connects our employees, tenants and residents, clients, and partners to a cause that is incredibly close to our hearts,” said Keith Major, Managing Partner, Head of Canadian Real Estate Management, BentallGreenOak. “Mental health and wellness have become prevalent subjects that directly influence the ethos of the services we provide to all whom we serve, and as the demand for care and counselling continue to rise, the alignment that we have forged with Kids Help Phone to help direct our efforts towards the most vulnerable amongst us is as timely as ever.”

“We are moved by BGO’s passion to help raise awareness of Kids Help Phone’s life-changing services. BGO is helping us reach deep into communities through physical and digital spaces, where young people and caring adults live, work, and congregate,” said Jenny Yuen, Senior Vice President, National Partnerships & Government Relations. “We are so grateful that the community of BGO stakeholders responded through a year-end donation that will support our e-mental health services and programs, accessible by young people in every community across Canada.”

Kids Help Phone’s mission is to provide young people with access to the mental health care services they need, when and how they need it the most. Since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, young people across Canada reached out to Kids Help Phone over 12.2 million times. As the only national, 24/7, bilingual e-mental health service for young people in the country, volunteer staff and trained professionals answer young people’s call for help. Recently, the organization announced that they have expanded their services to include counselling in six additional languages, including Ukrainian, Russian, Pashto, Dari, Mandarin, Arabic, Plains Cree, and Ojibwe.

About BentallGreenOak

BentallGreenOak is a leading, global real estate investment management advisor and a globally-recognized provider of real estate services. BentallGreenOak serves the interests of more than 750 institutional clients with approximately $80 billion USD of assets under management (as of September 30, 2022) and expertise in the asset management of office, industrial, multi-residential, retail and hospitality property across the globe. BentallGreenOak has offices in 28 cities across fourteen countries with deep, local knowledge, experience, and extensive networks in the regions where we invest in and manage real estate assets on behalf of our clients in primary, secondary and co-investment markets. BentallGreenOak is a part of SLC Management, which is the alternatives asset management business of Sun Life.

The assets under management shown above includes real estate equity and mortgage investments managed by the BentallGreenOak group of companies and their affiliates, and as of 1Q21, includes certain uncalled capital commitments for discretionary capital until they are legally expired and excludes certain uncalled capital commitments where the investor has complete discretion over investment.

For more information, please visit www.bentallgreenoak.com

About Kids Help Phone

Kids Help Phone is Canada’s only 24/7 e-mental health service offering free, confidential support in English and French to young people. As the country’s virtual care expert, we give millions of youth a safe, trusted space to talk over phone or through text or in self-directed supports in any moment of crisis or need. Through our digital transformation, we envision a future where every person in Canada is able to get the support they need, when they need it most, however they need it. Kids Help Phone gratefully relies on the generosity of donors, volunteers, stakeholder partners, corporate partners and governments to fuel and fund our programs. Learn more at KidsHelpPhone.ca or follow us:

Twitter: @KidsHelpPhone
Facebook: @KidsHelpPhone
Instagram: @KidsHelpPhone

Contacts

Rahim Ladha

Global Head of Communications & Philanthropy

media@bentallgreenoak.com

Lindsey Coulter, Kids Help Phone

647-390-4841

lindsey.coulter@kidshelpphone.ca

AUSTIN, Texas–(BUSINESS WIRE)–#California–California residents can now save money instantly on energy-efficient home upgrades with the new Golden State Rebates program implemented by CLEAResult, the largest energy efficiency solutions provider in North America, under a contract awarded by San Diego Gas & Electric Company (SDG&E®). The program’s easy-to-use retail coupon portal includes rebates of up to $500 and is available to customers of SDG&E®, Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E®), Southern California Gas Company (SoCalGas®) and Southern California Edison Company (SCE®).

Golden State Rebates currently offers instant discounts when purchasing energy-saving smart thermostats, water heaters and room air conditioners. Customers simply sign up for an account, verify their eligibility, then receive a coupon via email for the selected product to be redeemed at a participating in-store or online retailer of their choice. The program is the only statewide instant rebate option that works with retailers directly to make purchasing energy-efficient products more convenient and affordable.

“Energy costs are a top concern for Californians and their utilities,” said Kecia Davison, CLEAResult’s Senior Vice President for the West Region. “Energy efficiency is key to saving folks money now and in the long run. It also plays a vital role in supporting the state’s decarbonization goals.”

The program has the full support of SDG&E, PG&E, SoCalGas and SCE as part of the companies’ efforts to transition California to a clean energy future that is equitable and affordable for everyone.

“Beyond the immediate savings from the rebates, energy-efficient products can help customers save in the long run on their gas and electric bills by reducing their energy consumption,” said SDG&E Director of Customer Programs Hollie Bierman. “By replacing older models of appliances with ultra-efficient ones, families can potentially save hundreds of dollars per year, while also reducing their carbon footprint.”

People often make energy efficiency improvements when equipment needs to be replaced, so Golden State Rebates ensures that utility customers, installers and distributers all have access to instant discounts. The rebates can also be combined with other statewide initiatives like TECH Clean California to help people save even more money. If someone is upgrading to a heat pump water heater, for example, they may be able to save up to $500 with Golden State Rebates, plus an additional $1,000 – $3,100 through TECH Clean California depending on eligibility. People can check their eligibility using the Switch is On Incentive Finder as the additional incentives are only available in limited territories and amounts are subject to change.

Golden State Rebates’ holistic approach to energy efficiency can help people be proactive about their energy use, all while saving money at a time when it’s needed most. Visit goldenstaterebates.com for full details on everything the program has to offer.

About CLEAResult

CLEAResult is the largest provider of energy efficiency, energy transition, and decarbonization solutions in North America. Since 2003, our mission has been to change the way people use energy. Today, our experts lead the transition to a sustainable, equitable, and carbon-neutral future for our communities and our planet. Our hometown teams collaborate with a diverse network of local partners to deliver world-class technology and personalized services that make it easy for commercial and industrial businesses, governments, utilities and residential customers to reduce their energy use and carbon footprint. CLEAResult is headquartered in Austin, Texas, and has over 2,400 employees in more than 60 cities across the U.S. and Canada. CLEAResult is majority owned by TPG through its middle market and growth equity investment platform TPG Growth and its multi-sector global impact investing strategy The Rise Fund.

Explore all our energy solutions at clearesult.com.

Follow us on: Facebook | LinkedIn | Twitter | Instagram

Contacts

media@clearesult.com
Amber Tester
Director Corporate Communications

The Accelerating Accessibility Coalition and its Accessibility Toolbox will mobilize home builders to significantly increase the supply of accessible and inclusive housing in Canada

TORONTO–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Canada’s top real estate development and accessibility leaders today launched the Accelerating Accessibility Coalition (AAC). The AAC is a first-of-its-kind coalition that is challenging home builders to make physical accessibility a greater priority as they build the millions of new homes needed across Canada in the next decade. ULI (Urban Land Institute)’s Toronto District Council will serve as the coalition secretariat and leverage its platform as one of the largest chapters in the global ULI network to shine a spotlight on this issue and mobilize change.

At an event at the World Urban Pavilion – Powered by Daniels in Regent Park, AAC members called on industry organizations and leaders to step up, join the coalition, and commit to the learning that will lead to building new housing that is accessible to people of all ages and abilities.

The AAC is built on the belief that accessible housing benefits everyone. A sign of an inclusive and prosperous country is where people of all ages and abilities can participate fully in society. This includes having access to barrier-free homes. For Canada to fully realize this vision, the supply of accessible housing needs to match the important demand.

According to Statistics Canada, in 2017, 6.2 million (22 per cent) Canadians aged 15 years and over identified as having one or more disabilities. More than half (55.8 per cent) reported having a physical disability. Among those with physical disabilities, 44.9 per cent required at least one type of aid or assistive device or an accessibility feature within their home. This could include ramps, a walk-in bath or shower, lift device or elevator, lowered counters, or automatic doors.

Yet many Canadians living with disabilities face significant barriers related to homes and facilities. As the population continues to age the challenges will continue to increase.

“We hear far too often how Canadians with disabilities still face barriers to safe, accessible, and affordable housing,” said Maayan Ziv, Founder and CEO of AccessNow. “It’s time to unlearn the practices that have established generations of inaccessible design and replace them with inclusive methodologies that reflect the authentic diversity of needs that people with and without disabilities require throughout life.”

Giving greater priority to accessibility can also make good financial sense. New buildings can achieve Rick Hansen Foundation Accessibility Certification^TM (RHFAC) at no additional cost compared to National or Ontario building code through thoughtful planning and design, according to research compiled in 2020 by the Rick Hansen Foundation and HCMA Architecture + Design.

“Torontonians with disabilities should not face barriers to safe and accessible housing,” said Toronto Mayor John Tory. “As we continue to push forward with getting more housing built across the city, accessibility must be a priority. I applaud the work of the Accelerating Accessibility Coalition for its commitment to this issue, and I encourage others to join this effort. Everyone has a role to play in making our city welcoming and accessible for all residents who choose to live here.”

To aid builders, the AAC also launched today the Accessibility Toolbox, highlighting the work and best practices of participating coalition partners including standards, certifications, expert services and connections to organizations representing people with disabilities. The toolbox will serve as an aggregator that informs and inspires home builders to design and build accessible homes without waiting for building codes or legislation to catch up to the current and evolving needs of Canadians.

The toolbox includes recommended actions that organizations can immediately take that will guide them on their commitment to accessibility. Over the course of the next year, the AAC will host events, webinars and workshops that continue to educate, drive awareness and encourage accountability in the industry.

Accessibility Standards Canada is a federal corporation responsible for developing accessibility standards and funding accessibility standards research. They are supporting the creation of the coalition and partnering with the AAC while contributing to the Accessibility Toolbox.

“We are proud to be part of this networking event and are looking forward to advancing discussions on accessibility with AAC members. We want Canadians to experience accessibility in a consistent and seamless way, no matter where they live. Collaborations like these are mutually beneficial. They can only lead to a greater positive impact in the lives of all Canadians,” said Philip Rizcallah, Chief Executive Officer, Accessibility Standards Canada.

See below for the 21 founding members of the AAC.

QUOTES – The Daniels Corporation, ULI Toronto, Rick Hansen Foundation, CivicAction and BILD are among members of the AAC urging other industry leaders to step up on accessibility and inclusion:

“It is time to challenge others within our industry to step up on accessibility and inclusion,” said Jake Cohen, Chief Operating Officer, The Daniels Corporation. “Let’s do the right thing today, rather than wait until we’re required to do so. The Accessibility Toolbox makes it easy to take those important first steps, and the AAC provides a broad-based community within which knowledge and best practices can be easily learned and shared.”

Richard Joy, Executive Director of ULI Toronto added, “Contributing ULI’s voice and platform as the backbone of the coalition to elevate accessibility is very much in keeping with our mission to convene, converse and transform the future of city-building across the Golden Horseshoe and the world. As home of the industry, we look forward to connecting people with a diversity of opinions and backgrounds to talk about accessibility and build pathways to better outcomes for people of all ages and abilities.”

“Now more than ever, we need to encourage decision makers such as building owners, operators, industry influencers, architects and designers to view their spaces through an accessibility lens to truly understand what people with disabilities experience,” said Sarah McCarthy, Vice President, Strategic Initiatives at the Rick Hansen Foundation. “Greatly improved accessibility will result in a Canada where everyone can contribute and participate. It’s the sustainable, resilient, and equitable future we are all working towards.”

“Now more than ever, our city region needs leaders who can act to achieve universal design,” said Leslie Woo, CEO of CivicAction. “To build an inclusive city with a deeper sense of belonging, we need to remove barriers in public and private spaces for those with different abilities.”

“Understanding accessibility barriers from the perspective of those who experience them is essential to creating inclusive, welcoming and complete communities,” said Dave Wilkes, President and CEO, BILD. “BILD is pleased to work with stakeholders, the industry, and our 1300 member companies to educate, promote awareness and find common ways to remove barriers in communities our members build.”

To learn more about the Accelerating Accessibility Coalition and how organizations can join, click here. Images from the Launch Event can be found here: https://spaces.hightail.com/space/VUhEY6MunU.

The 21 founding members of the Accelerating Accessibility Coalition are:

Real Estate Development

• The Daniels Corporation
• Choice Properties REIT
• BentallGreenOak
• Cadillac Fairview
• Crosswalk Communities
• Human Space
• Percy Ellis
• ULI (Urban Land Institute)’s Toronto District Council
• BILD (Building Industry and Land Development Association)

Accessibility

• Accessible Housing Network
• AccessNow
• Bellwoods Centres
• CNIB Frontier Accessibility
• Community Living Toronto
• L’Arche Toronto Homes Inc
• March of Dimes Canada
• Rick Hansen Foundation
• StopGap Foundation
• Yazmine Laroche

Civic and Education

• CivicAction
• John H. Daniels Faculty of Architecture, Landscape and Design, University of Toronto.

About The Accelerating Accessibility Coalition

The Accelerating Accessibility Coalition (AAC) is a community of Canadian residential real estate and accessibility leaders with ULI (Urban Land Institute)’s Toronto District Council serving as the secretariat. The AAC aims to create a more accessible Canada, starting with the Greater Toronto and Hamilton Area (GTHA), by accelerating the supply of new buildings and homes that are physically accessible. The coalition is underpinned by the belief that accessible housing benefits everyone, and that a sign of a fully inclusive and prosperous country is for people of all ages and abilities to be able to participate fully in society without barriers, including having access to homes that are barrier free.

Contacts

Media:
Ema Asler

Kaiser & Partners

(647)-725-2520

ema.asler@kaiserpartners.com