Morguard Adds Three HOOPP LEAP Awards to its Collection for Outstanding Sustainability Performance

MISSISSAUGA, ON, June 9, 2017 /CNW/ - Today, Morguard was recognized with three Leadership in Environmental Advancement Program (LEAP) Awards from Healthcare of Ontario Pension Plan (HOOPP). Morguard's 2017 awards exemplify a core operational focus on sustainability and dedication to best practices, which includes effective collaboration among building management teams and tenants.

Adding three new LEAP Awards to its collection in 2017, Morguard has consistently achieved recognition from HOOPP, including 12 LEAP Awards across eight categories since the program's inception in 2012. Morguard's continued acknowledgement for leadership in energy conservation underscores the company's ongoing commitment to Responsible Property Investing as a best practice in the real estate industry.

"Sustainability is embedded in Morguard's culture and daily operational practices," said K. Rai Sahi, Chairman and CEO, Morguard Corporation. "The HOOPP Awards recognize the valuable partnerships we have built with our investors, clients, tenants and employees to further sustainability initiatives across Canada. This is an opportunity for us and our key stakeholders to reaffirm our shared vision and commitment to achieving positive environmental and community change together."

"As a major investor with $12 billion in real estate assets and partnerships with companies across Canada and globally, HOOPP's sustainability influence extends beyond just the buildings we own. HOOPP engages all of our partner companies in efforts to reduce the environmental impact of buildings, through initiatives like the LEAP Conference and Awards," said Stephen Taylor, Vice President, HOOPP Real Estate.

Morguard was recognized by HOOPP for excellence in the following categories:

Tenant Leader – Retail Award
New Sudbury Centre, Sudbury, Ontario

Morguard received the Tenant Leader: Retail Award for the collaboration between New Sudbury Centre, the largest shopping mall in Northern Ontario, and one of its major tenants, Walmart. The HOOPP LEAP team highlighted the remarkable collaboration between Morguard and Walmart to promote energy efficiency and their commitment to sharing valuable information with other tenants in order to improve sustainability outcomes in the community.

Walmart completed a large scale retrofit of retail area lighting, replacing over 8,750 bulbs with a compatible LED substitute, while the New Sudbury Centre replaced over 325 bulbs in its service and loading dock areas. The centre's efforts in retrofitting will result in a total savings of over 98,000kWh per year for New Sudbury Centre alone. New Sudbury Centre plans to drive even further energy savings by implementing this initiative in other tenant locations. See our case study on www.morguard.com.

Sustainability Innovation – Technology Award
Coquitlam Centre, Vancouver, British Columbia

Morguard received the Sustainability Innovator: Technology Award.  This Award recognized the strong sustainability impact of the centre's Heat Recovery Chiller System (HRC), its replicability and short payback period.  The HRC may become this region's best tool in cutting greenhouse gas (GHGs) in the building sector. The Coquitlam Centre's heat recovery project resulted in a 70% reduction in annual gas consumption, 4% reduction in electricity, and 35% reduction in annual GHGs. The centre is also saving water due to decreased cooling tower use. These are significant results with remarkable impacts given the relatively small capital investment required.

2017 is the third consecutive year that Coquitlam Centre has received recognition for Sustainability Innovation. Prior to this year's Technology Award, Coquitlam Centre won the Sustainability Innovator Award in 2015, the Stakeholder Engagement Award in 2016.

Sustainability Champion Award
Ottawa Property Management Team

Morguard's Ottawa Property Management team was the recipient of the Sustainability Champion Award. The team was recognized for their dedication to improving the sustainability performance of Morguard properties, particularly related to organics recycling. The Award highlights the relevant achievements from Esther McConaghy, who has been supporting the sustainability initiatives at the HOOPP Morguard managed office and industrial properties in Ottawa for nine years.

The Ottawa team's efforts in terms of waste diversion resulted in all building occupants agreeing to the implementation of full organics recycling programs, which in 2016 led to a total of 1,200 metric tonnes of organic waste being diverted from landfill at the HOOPP properties. The success of the program also relied on supporting tenants and staff with education and tools. See our case study on www.morguard.com.

About Morguard
Morguard Corporation is a major North American real estate company.  It has extensive retail, office, industrial, multi–suite residential, and hotel holdings owned directly, or through its investment in Morguard REIT (TSX: MRT.UN), Morguard North American Residential REIT (TSX: MRG.UN) and Temple Hotels Inc. (TSX:TPH). Morguard also provides real estate management services to institutional and other investors. Morguard's combined real estate portfolio is valued at $15.9 billion. Visit www.morguard.com.

To download Morguard's 2016 Sustainability Highlights Report or the full Sustainability Report, visit www.morguard.com.

SOURCE Morguard Corporation