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Learn more about our ESG initiatives

A message from our CEO

CT REIT’s business has significantly evolved since our IPO in late 2013. Our portfolio has grown by over $3B in assets, we have added more than 10 million square feet of GLA and we have significantly expanded our employee base, working hard to develop capabilities and in-house expertise, all while managing one of Canada’s leading real estate portfolios.

What has not changed since going public, however, is our commitment to operate our business with the highest level of integrity, business ethics and transparency, and to focus on giving back to the communities in which we operate. Whether it was the governance principles established at the time of our IPO, the sustainability initiatives that we have rolled out across our portfolio, growing and developing our talent base or supporting communities across Canada, ESG has always been an integral part of our business.

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CT ceo

Kevin Salsberg

President and
Chief Executive Officer

2021 ESG Highlights

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Conducted an ambitious retrofit project at over 90% of our properties to upgrade their HVAC to more energy-efficient motors.

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207 EV stations have been installed to date across 56 properties.

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100% of employees engaged with our online learning platform.

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Announced our new Net Zero Calgary distribution centre development project, the first of its kind in our portfolio.

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Completed a climate risk assessment of our entire portfolio.

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Conducted a materiality assessment to identify, refine, and prioritize the ESG topics that may impact our business and are important to our key stakeholders.

CT REIT’S ESG JOURNEY TIMELINE

2013

CT REIT’s Initial Public Offering takes place with a robust set of governance processes in place.

2017

The 1.4-million-square-foot Bolton Distribution Centre opened. Built with many ground-breaking environmentally stable features, the state of the art facility achieve LEED Gold certification by the Canada Green Building Council in 2018 – a significant accomplishment for a distribution centre of its size.

2020

Amid the COVID-19 pandemic, we supported our tenants by providing rent relief, implementing enhanced cleaning protocols on site, and delivering sanitizing supplies.

2017

Exterior LED retrofits were conducted at over 90% of all our properties.

Also in 2020:
Sustainability Committee formed.

2021

First GRESB submission.

Also in 2021:

  • Materiality Assessment conducted
  • Climate Risk Assessment conducted

2022

Our GRESB submission became publicly available.

2017

Inaugural ESG Report covering our activites in 2021.

Also in 2022:
Sports facility opens in Welland with charitable contributions from CT REIT.

2023 & Beyond

First BOMA BEST certification project covering 8 enclosed and open-air retail properties.

2017

Our first Net Zero Distribution Centre opens in Calgary.

OUR APPROACH TO ESG

CT REIT’s strategic imperatives are rooted in being Canada’s premier net lease REIT. It is crucial that our position and strategy in relation to environmental, social and governance (“ESG”) topics align with that of all of our stakeholders, including with our most significant tenant and majority unitholder, Canadian Tire, Corporation (“CTC”), as well as reflect those matters that are most relevant to them.

As a critical pillar of the REIT’s strategy, ESG areas of focus are grounded in our commitment to:

  1. Limit our environmental impact
  2. Invest in our employees and support our communities
  3. Ensure our business practices follow our integrity and transparency standards

We believe that investing in ESG initiatives will maximize our long-term value by addressing the environmental, social and governance impacts of our business operations. This includes consistently delivering value and convenience to our tenants, reducing our environmental footprint, strengthening the communities in which we operate and developing our employees.

Our focus on, and investment in, ESG initiatives will also drive long-term value for our stakeholders by managing risk, fostering innovation, generating new revenue streams and strengthening the foundational environmental, social and governance systems on which our business relies.

Download our ESG Report
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Land Acknowledgement

We acknowledge that long before Canada was a country, strong nations and cultures existed here – and, continue to exist. The Canadian lands on which CT REIT properties are located have been the site of human activity for 15,000 years. Today these lands and lakes continue to be home to many First Nations, Inuit and Métis communities from across Turtle Island, also known as North America.

Our home office, located in what is currently known as Toronto, is situated on the traditional territory of the Anishinaabeg, Huron-Wendat and the Haudenosaunee Nations. This location is covered by Treaty 13, signed with the Mississaugas of the Credit, and the Williams Treaties, signed with multiple Mississauga and Chippewa bands. We are grateful that we can live and work here, and we are committed to building and sustaining a relationship with Indigenous peoples based on respect, dignity, trust and cooperation.

At CT REIT, we know that land acknowledgements mark a small but important step in the journey of confronting the truth and working towards reconciliation with Indigenous peoples. We are in the early stages of our journey. As we look ahead, we are committed to acknowledging the truth and advancing our reconciliation journey.