“An odourless, cancer-causing gas is building up in many Canadian homes. A University of Calgary radon research team, fuelled by renewed funding from the Alberta Real Estate Foundation to the OWN.CANCER campaign, is working to change this — owning cancer through prevention and partnership.”

Read the recent media release New Canadian houses found to have much higher radon gas levels than those in Sweden

Evict Radon projects funded by the Foundation:
– Alberta Solution to Reducing Radon Exposure in Homes
– Understanding Behavioural Environmental Design Contributors of High Radon Exposure to Protect Canadian Health
– Towards a Future Free of Radon in the Residential Built Environment

The COVID-19 pandemic and related public health measures have drawn our attention to how important our homes, neighbourhoods, and communities are to our health, wellbeing, and overall quality of life. Our environments shape where we live, work, play, and how we interact. Opportunities in these different settings create and strengthen community vitality, resiliency, and wellbeing. These are critical considerations for Albertans as we continue to navigate through the pandemic and social recovery. With so many factors influencing our wellbeing, it’s difficult to know what information to attend to most when it comes to our homes and communities.

The University of Alberta’s Centre for Healthy Communities (CHC), in partnership with the Alberta Real Estate Foundation, launched a user-friendly website: www.healthycommunitiesathome.ca to help support healthy homes and healthy communities for Albertans. The website combines scientific and practice-based evidence. It was developed with input by and made for diverse stakeholders across Alberta. These stakeholders include real estate professionals, urban and rural planners, land developers, consumers, researchers, municipal representatives, community and social organizations, and public health and health services representatives.

The global climate crisis, economic instability, and the myriad of health and other impacts brought about by COVID-19 underscore the need for innovative and proactive strategies to create supportive communities that protect and bolster wellbeing. When we think about creating healthy homes and communities, we need to consider how we can incorporate efforts to protect the environment and build an economically sustainable future. In a time of dramatic local and global change, there is an opportunity to re-envision how we shape our communities and revive our economy to optimize our collective health and wellbeing.

The website highlights nine common factors that support healthy homes and healthy communities. The nine key factor pages summarize key points and terms, highlight sample criteria and recommendations, and connect to existing supports and programs. Each of these nine factors is aligned with three key societal areas of concern: environmental stewardship, economic recovery, and COVID-19 pandemic recovery.

Within its current scope, the website is meant to support stakeholders in developing a common language and knowledge about key factors that support healthy communities and homes in Alberta. With future additional resources and funding, the CHC aims to continue to build website content, adding new information as it becomes available, examples to support and inspire, resources for communities, and interactive media like podcasts, videos, and learning modules.

To learn more about the project, visit the website at www.healthycommunitiesathome.ca or contact the CHC at healthy.communities@ualberta.ca.

This project was funded in 2020 through the Foundation’s Grant Program.

In celebration of our 30th Anniversary, we (virtually) sat down with a few of our past chairs to take stock of their time with the Foundation, and the impact the Foundation has on the real estate industry and Alberta.

Hear from Doug Leighton, RPP MCIP MRAIC, Chair of the Board from 2020 to 2021, and Principal of EDG Associates.

How many years were you involved with the Foundation?

I joined the Board of the Foundation in 2015 as a Public Member representing the business sector and was re-appointed in 2017 when I joined the Governance Committee. I was elected Chair in early 2020—just in time for Covid!

Why did you get involved?

In 2013 I returned to Calgary after eleven years working as a planner and urban designer in New Zealand and BC. I reconnected with Gary Willson, who was Chair of the Foundation at the time. I was impressed by the good things the Foundation was doing and didn’t hesitate when Gary suggested that I volunteer.

Do you have any favorite projects funded in your time as Chair?

Tough call, but I’d say the Condominium Law Education Project. This touches on several areas of our mandate under the Real Estate Act. It helps advance property and condominium management; one of four real estate Industry groups under the Act. It helps Albertans purchase condos and serve on condo Boards. The Foundation had previously funded the Centre for Public Legal Education Alberta and knew they would deliver an excellent and much-needed program.

From your perspective, what is the Foundation’s greatest accomplishment over the years?

Three things:

• First, it has benefited the real estate industry (residential/ commercial/ mortgage brokers plus property and condominium managers) by investing in projects and initiatives across Alberta.
• Second, this has been achieved at no cost to taxpayers.
• Finally, it has responded to the changing needs and priorities of industry and Albertans over the years.

What impact has the Foundation had on Alberta and the industry?

It’s contributed to Alberta’s success—whether you measure that in economic, environmental, or social terms. Real estate is about ‘real property and assets,’ that is, land and buildings. How we plan, develop, sell, buy, lease, finance, and manage real estate is important. A high-functioning real estate market has been part of the ‘Alberta Advantage.’ I’m certain it will be part of its recovery.

The Foundation supports the real estate industry by funding the education of related professionals, law reform, research, and projects and activities to advance and improve all four industry sectors. Part of our impact has been to sponsor thought leadership, innovations, and initiatives that demonstrate the benefits of real estate to Albertans.

Thank you, Doug!

In celebration of our 30th Anniversary, we (virtually) sat down with a few of our past chairs to take stock of their time with the Foundation, and the impact the Foundation has on the real estate industry and Alberta.

Hear from Jim Saunders, Chair of the Board from 2018 to 2019, and REALTOR® in Lethbridge.

How many years were you involved with the Foundation?

I was involved for seven years.

Why did you get involved?

Having served on the local and provincial real estate boards, I had been aware of the work of the Foundation for many years and was acquainted with many of the previous Governors and Past Chairs. When my term as Past President with the Alberta Real Estate Association ended, several people suggested I would find the position as Governor very rewarding, and uniquely different from the roles I was accustomed to playing. They were right! I felt my knowledge and experience in the real estate industry would give me the perspective to recognize the value the projects we support brings to the industry.

Do you have any favorite projects funded in your time as Chair?

For me, it wasn’t so much any particular project that was a favorite, but meeting our grant recipients in person, and experiencing the passion they bring to the table was very rewarding. I especially liked the grassroots “boots on the ground” organizations that measure their successes one small accomplishment at a time.

From your perspective, what is the Foundation’s greatest accomplishment over the years?

It’s the Foundation’s high level of grants on an annual basis and hitting far above its weight. In the 30-year history of the Foundation, we have managed to aggressively fund our grant recipients through booms and bust markets, and managed our assets to enable us to be financially viable through the most difficult times. We are now in a strong financial position to continue to support industry initiatives.

What impact has the Foundation had on Alberta and the industry?

I would use the example of one of my most rewarding experiences involving an actual real estate transaction with a self-managed condo board. The board had been operating with a few volunteer directors who were well-intentioned but uninformed. Through the Condo Law for Albertans website, I was able to guide them to the resources that would enable them to comply with the current Condominium Act. Those resources were available as a direct result of the Foundation’s funding. The condo directors were very appreciative and impressed that REALTORS® were involved in projects to aid and protect the consumers.

Thank you, Jim!