Articles from Connect CRE

Residential developers in Canada are positive about collaborating with the federal government's new Build Canada Homes (BCH) agency, which aims to support private builders rather than undertake construction itself. BCH will concentrate on creating affordable housing, initially using public land in various cities including Dartmouth, Ottawa, and Toronto. The agency will work alongside the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation and aims to boost the non-market housing sector. Key figures in the industry, like Polygon Realty's Neil Chrystal, appreciate the partnership approach with the private sector.

Saltire Capital has acquired SanStone Investments, a heavy- and agricultural-equipment dealer, for $70 million. The purchase was partly funded by a $50.1 million loan from Sagard Holdings, part of a $100-million credit facility. The transaction included the issuing of share-purchase warrants and preparations for a $5 million private placement. Saltire aims to strengthen its capital allocation strategy towards private companies with strong fundamentals.

Halifax's municipal staff presented a plan to construct a permanent soccer stadium in its downtown area. The proposed 8,500-seat stadium aims to serve professional teams and community events but faces logistical challenges as it would require land currently used by other groups. Funding remains a significant hurdle, with the city rejecting financial responsibility. The total estimated development costs range from $116 million to $123 million, and further public consultations are anticipated.

Sustane Technologies and Pyrovac have formed a strategic partnership to enhance plastic recycling efforts in Canada and globally. The collaboration will utilize Pyrovac's proprietary reactor technology, initially upgrading Sustane’s facility in Nova Scotia with a $7 million investment. This marks Pyrovac's first commercial deployment of its technology, aimed at converting plastic waste into fuels and chemicals via pyrolysis. The partnership aims to foster a circular economy by reducing plastic waste and generating economic value.

SolarBank Corporation is set to develop a 6.9-megawatt solar project in Brooklyn, Nova Scotia, in collaboration with Trimac Engineering, as part of the province's Community Solar Program. The project, costing approximately $13.9 million, aims to achieve 80% renewable energy by 2030 and net-zero emissions by 2035. Scheduled to begin in spring 2026, it will provide power to about 900 homes and offer community members credits on their utility bills. SolarBank's initiative supports grid resilience and local economic growth, though it faces risks such as regulatory and financial challenges.