Sustainability at Canderel

It has been Canderel’s long-standing commitment to minimize our environmental footprint throughout our activities.  From our offices across Canada, to our owned and managed properties, to the commercial and residential projects that we develop, environmental considerations weigh heavily into our decision making.

We continue to seek out this balance through the efficient management of resources, the implementation of cost effective technologies, effective waste management practices and by engaging our staff, tenants and partners in meaningful discussion regarding our sustainability objectives. These principles are at the core of our company-wide sustainability program called On the Green Path.  The program influences the manner in which we run our offices, manage our properties, and develop projects.        

In Our Offices:

Canderel has implemented an Internal Sustainability Program in our offices across Canada.  Developed with input from across the organization, the program aims to reduce our environmental impact in four main areas: energy use, paper consumption, waste and business travel.  We also publish a monthly sustainability newsletter to keep our staff up to date in regards to environmental issues, initiatives within the company and tips on reducing their environmental footprint at work and at home.     

Property Management:   

Canderel believes it has an important role to play in reducing the environmental impact associated with the operation of our properties, while ensuring the comfort and safety of our tenants.  With the cooperation of tenants, building owners, and partners, our management team is constantly seeking ways to reduce the carbon footprint of our properties.  To help our tenants with this environmental initiative, we have created a Tenant Sustainability Guide which provides useful information regarding resource use, managing waste and improving the quality of the indoor environment. 

To gain a better picture of our environmental initiatives and to properly assess the performance of our portfolio, we are undertaking the process of benchmarking our managed properties for electricity, natural gas, water use (where the information is available) as well as greenhouse gas emissions associated with energy use.

Our commitment to sustainability is reflected in the number of certified buildings in our portfolio.  This currently includes BOMA BESt Level 2 certification at 14 Place du Commerce in Montreal, BOMA BESt Level 3 certification at E-Commerce Place in Montreal and 777 Bay Street in Toronto.  Furthermore, we are pursuing LEED Existing Buildings: Operations and Maintenance certification at Place du Canada and E-Commerce Place in Montreal. 

Commercial Development:

Canderel works closely with its clients and partners to develop projects which encourage the well-being of our communities and the environment.  This was demonstrated at the 840,000 square foot Bell Campus, located on Nun’s Island, Quebec, which has been granted LEED New Construction (NC) certification by the Canada Green Building Council (CaGBC).  The Bell Campus is designed to be in excess of 30% more efficient than current energy efficiency standards and includes the latest in mechanical and building systems so as to minimize energy and water consumption.  During the construction phase, measures were taken to ensure the use of locally sourced and recycled materials and to divert more than 75% of construction waste from landfill. 

In the spring of 2009, Canderel and its development partner Broccolini Construction Inc. undertook the construction of the head office for Export Development Canada (EDC) in downtown Ottawa. The 18-storey, 520,000 square foot building, designed to achieve LEED Gold Core and Shell (CS) certification by the CaGBC, houses approximately 1,400 EDC employees.  A host of measures were undertaken during the design and construction phases to ensure the efficiency of the building’s envelope and mechanical systems, the use of sustainable materials and the maximal diversion of waste from landfill.    

 Residential:

The use of innovative green building design elements also extends to our residential developments, as is demonstrated at our landmark 75 storey Aura at College Park project in Toronto.  Aura, which will be Canada’s tallest residential structure, will include a number of sustainable in-suite features such as individual electrical metering, double-glazed windows, Energy Star rated appliances, dual flush toilets and the use of low volatile organic compound paints and sealants to ensure indoor air quality.  The building will incorporate the latest in mechanical and building systems in order to minimize energy and water consumption, a vegetated “living green” roof as well as bicycle parking and direct subway access to make it convenient for residents to leave their car at home.