President’s message
With 2025 well under way, I’d like to remind our readers the Federation of Rental-housing Providers of Ontario (FRPO) remains focused on promoting purpose-built rental housing as the key to bringing stability back to the Ontario housing market. Our team continues to communicate and work with industry partners and the government on addressing our members’ challenges in their mission to provide Ontarians with safe and professionally managed purpose-built rental housing.
The purpose-built rental market continues to grapple with many hurdles, including the supply shortage, rising development costs, and changing regulatory environments. These challenges are formidable, but not insurmountable. They provide opportunities for innovation, collaboration, and long-term solutions that can expand purpose-built housing availability for Ontario residents.
We will remain vigilant of the need to navigate provincial and federal political uncertainties, with elections coming that will shape the 2025 policy landscape. FRPO will constructively engage with all levels of government to promote policies that support more purpose-built rental supply and address the shortage of housing
This year FRPO celebrates its 40th anniversary, which is an incredible milestone, as it underscores years of advocacy and leadership in the rental housing sector. As we reflect on the progress made over the past 40 years, we look forward to what the next 40 years will bring, with our members providing the passion and expertise to drive growth.
We are thrilled to highlight the success of the MAC Awards, which set a new standard for excellence within our industry. For those who missed the gala, the evening celebrated our members’ remarkable achievements and their commitment to fostering healthy and sustainable communities.
As we build on the momentum of our engagement with government and initiatives, including the Let’s Build Ontario campaign and Certified Rental Building Program, we are confident in our ability to drive meaningful change in 2025. This work has helped to shape the narrative around purpose-built rental housing and advancing our members’ goals while setting high standards for quality and sustainability.
Looking ahead, we will continue collaborating with our members to advance shared goals and embrace the opportunities to come. Together, we can ensure Ontario’s rental housing market remains resilient, innovative, and prepared for the future.
Tony Irwin, President and CEO, FRPO, and Interim President, CFAA
2024 FRPO MAC Awards
The 2024 MAC Awards Gala was held on Thursday, December 5, at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre. For over 24 years, the Marketing, Achievement, and Construction Awards have celebrated excellence, innovation, and leadership in Ontario’s rental housing sector. These prestigious awards highlight the remarkable efforts of industry professionals and the dedication of our members to providing highquality rental accommodations.
Our President and CEO, Tony Irwin, was proud to host this year’s ceremony. Jason Ashdown, Chair of the Board, also shared a message acknowledging the invaluable support of FRPO’s annual corporate partners.
The highlight of the MAC Awards was the announcement of the Lifetime Achievement Award to Margaret Siller Herd. This award recognizes her exceptional contributions to the rental housing industry over her career. Margaret has spent more than four decades in the rental housing industry. She recently retired as Senior Vice President of Operations and Development at Park Property Management, where she has worked her entire career. Margaret has contributed significant time and energy to supporting the rental housing industry. She led the push for submetering of hydro within apartment buildings, which greatly impacted Ontario’s rental housing industry. She has served on several boards and committees with FRPO (including serving as Chair from 2018 to 2020) and other industry associations. Margaret also played a significant role in advocacy and community involvement, particularly in the areas of disability rights, community service, and equal opportunities for women in the workplace.
Other 2024 MAC Awards winners include:
• Social Media Award of Excellence: Fitzrovia (Elm-Ledbury)
• Best Advertising Campaign: The Daniels Corporation & Choice Properties
• Best Property Management Website: DBS Developments
• Best Suite Renovation Under $40,000: QuadReal Property Group (Widdicombe Place, Etobicoke), Contractor: Seasons Colours
• Best Suite Renovation Over $40,000: QuadReal Property Group (15 & 245 Lena Crescent, Cambridge)
• Best Lobby Renovation of the Year: Maddox by Fitzrovia (Maddox Sherbourne, Toronto)
• Best Curb Appeal: Dream (The Residence at Weston, 33 King Street, York)
• Best Amenities Renovation: Maddox by Fitzrovia (Maddox Sherbourne, Toronto)
• Best Amenities New Development: Fitzrovia (Elm-Ledbury, Toronto)
• Rental Development Over 200 Units: RioCan Living & Rhapsody Property Management Services (FourFifty The Well, Toronto)
• Rental Development 200 Units or Less: BlueStone Properties (101 Base Line Road West, London)
• Environmental Excellence: Skyline Group of Companies
• Property Manager of the Year: Izabela Konopka (The Daniels Corporation)
• Leasing Professional of the Year: Wendy Roberts (Sifton Properties)
• Resident Manager of the Year: Vesna Mikic (The Tricar Group)
• Customer Service Award of Excellence: Fitzrovia
• Community Service Award of Excellence — Supplier Member: Yardi Canada Ltd.
• Community Service Award of Excellence — Rental Housing Providers: Skyline Group of Companies
• Company Culture Award of Excellence: Minto Apartments
• The Impact Award: Dream Ltd., Kilmer Group & Tricon Residential (The Affordable Housing Program Initiative at Canary Landing)
Dilan Cetinkaya appointed as Director of Certification for Canadian CRB Program
FRPO has appointed Dilan Cetinkaya as Director of Certification for the Canadian Certified Rental BuildingTM (CRB) Program. In this role, she will lead the program’s growth and expansion, leveraging her extensive experience in real estate sustainability.
Dilan’s background includes managing sustainability programs at Cadillac Fairview, developing Holt Renfrew’s decarbonization roadmap, and contributing to Crown Property Management’s sustainability reporting. Her expertise in stakeholder engagement, data-driven decision-making, and process automation will be crucial in enhancing the CRB Program.
“I’m excited about the opportunity to drive meaningful change in the rental housing industry,” said Dilan. “Buildings contribute 39% of global carbon emissions and 13%-18% of Canada’s greenhouse gas emissions . While the
commercial sector has embraced sustainability for years, the residential sector is still catching up, making this a chance to innovate and lead. I’m looking forward to collaborating with property managers to enhance environmental performance, reduce operational costs, and engage residents in sustainability efforts.”
Recognizing the significant contribution of buildings to global carbon emissions, Dilan sees an opportunity to drive innovation in the residential sector. Her initial focus will be on streamlining certification processes, improving member engagement, and creating educational opportunities. Long-term goals include integrating strategies that reward sustainable practices and strengthening the link between operational efficiency and community impact.
To promote and expand the CRB Program, Dilan plans to launch training workshops, develop resident engagement programs, share success stories, and improve marketing efforts. She aims to enhance sustainability standards, helping members reduce costs while encouraging resident participation in sustainability initiatives.
Dilan emphasizes the importance of improving resident and public awareness of the CRB Program to drive broader adoption and engagement. She plans to conduct regular surveys, invite one-onone conversations, and develop workshops on sustainability strategies and operational best practices to strengthen member engagement.
Upcoming events
CMHC Breakfast
March 6, 2025 | 8:30 am – 10:30 am Parkview Manor, 55 Barber Greene Road #1, Toronto
C ost: $80 per person plus HST
Join us on March 6 as CMHC shares its key findings from its October 2024 Rental Market
Survey for the Greater Toronto Area. Trends in other major Ontario centres will also be discussed. The presentation will conclude with an outlook of where rental markets are headed in 2025 and beyond. This in-person event is open to both FRPO and GTAA members and will include an Executive Panel Discussion featuring Tony Irwin, President, FRPO as moderator; Mark Kenney, President & CEO, CAPREIT; and BJ Santavy, Vice President, Skyline Living. Additional panelists to be announced.
Registration includes full breakfast. Please note refunds are not available within seven days of the event. To substitute your registration to another individual, please email us at events@frpo.org.
PM Springfest
April 24, 2025 | 9:00 am - 2:30 pm Metro Toronto Convention Centre South, Toronto
EXCLUSIVELY FOR PROPERTY MANAGEMENT PROFESSIONALS
PM Springfest is the essential event for those managing and maintaining Toronto’s built environment, as we navigate the rapidly evolving property management landscape. With targeted education sessions, exhibitors featuring the latest tech, products and services in the space, and hundreds of new and meaningful connections to be made, it’s a one-stop shop to address the key trends shaping the future of property management. Visit https://informaconnect.com/ pm-springfest/ to learn more or to book an exhibit booth.
Ontario’s leading advocate for strong and stable rental housing.
FRPO is the largest association in Ontario representing those who own, manage, build and fnance residential rental properties.
For membership inquiries please contact Lynzi Michal, Director, Membership & Marketing
Federation of Rental-housing Providers of Ontario 801-67 Yonge Street, Toronto, Ontario M5E 1J8 416-309-8744 lmichal@frpo.org www.frpo.org
