Welcome to the CRE podcast. 100% Canadian, 100% commercial real estate.

In this episode of the Commercial Real Estate Podcast, hosts Aaron Cameron and Adam Powadiuk are at the RealREIT Conference and sit down with John Worth, EVP of Research and Investor Outreach at Nareit, to unpack how the $1.4 trillion U.S. REIT market is transforming global real estate investing. John explains why pure-play REITs outperform diversified portfolios, how innovation in sectors like data centers and healthcare is shaping the next era of institutional real estate, and what Canadian investors can learn from U.S. flexibility. 

The discussion dives into the effects of rising interest rates, the disconnect between valuations and performance, and how active governance and sustainability are creating competitive advantages. This is a masterclass in understanding how REIT specialization and strategy drive long-term growth across North America.

What you will learn:

John Worth is Executive Vice President of Research and Investor Outreach at Nareit, the representative voice for REITs and listed real estate in the United States. With a PhD in Economics, he leads a team of economists conducting research on the role of real estate in investment portfolios and tracking global REIT market trends.

The post The $1.4 Trillion Shift: Inside the REIT Revolution with John Worth, EVP of Research and Investor Outreach at Nareit appeared first on Commercial Real Estate Podcast.

Welcome to the CRE podcast. 100% Canadian, 100% commercial real estate.

What if the best real estate investment opportunities weren’t in Canada’s hottest markets? In this episode of the Commercial Real Estate Podcast, hosts Aaron Cameron and Adam Powadiuk are at the Canadian Department Investment Conference, and sit down with Jamie Cooper, President of Development & Income Properties at Dream, to unpack why Western Canada’s rental markets are outperforming Toronto. They explore Dream’s 10,000-acre land strategy, the real difference between affordability and housing crises, and how government programs like ACLP are reshaping development economics. 

From managing long-term portfolio stability to stacking public incentives for viable rentals, Cooper shares how predictability rather than hype drives sustainable real estate returns. A must-listen for developers, investors, and industry professionals navigating Canada’s evolving property landscape.

What you will learn:

Jamie Cooper is President of Development & Income Properties for Dream Unlimited Corp., a leading Canadian real estate developer and asset manager. With nearly 11 years of experience at Dream and a diverse background spanning renewable power, office leasing, strategic finance, investments, and development, Cooper brings a comprehensive understanding of real estate across multiple asset classes and markets. He is instrumental in Dream’s ambitious expansion of purpose-built rental communities across Western Canada and Eastern markets, overseeing a portfolio strategy that prioritizes long-term income-generating assets and innovative affordability solutions.

The post Predictability Over Hype: Real Estate Lessons from Jamie Cooper, President of Development & Income Properties at Dream appeared first on Commercial Real Estate Podcast.

Welcome to the CRE podcast. 100% Canadian, 100% commercial real estate.

In this episode of the Commercial Real Estate Podcast, hosts Aaron Cameron and Adam Powadiuk welcome Riz Dhanji, Founder and President of RAD Marketing, about how real estate marketing is evolving across Toronto’s condo and purpose-built rental sectors. Riz shares his expertise on tackling today’s challenging condo market, where default rates reach 20%, and outlines why purpose-built rentals demand a completely different marketing playbook. From unit mix and amenity planning to CRM-driven leasing strategies, he explains how smart marketing can dramatically shorten lease-up times and maximise returns. The conversation offers deep insights for developers navigating shifting market dynamics.

What you will learn:

Riz Dhanji is the Founder and President of RAD Marketing and one of Canada’s leading experts in pre-construction sales and marketing. With over $4 billion in sales and 15,000+ condominium suites sold across Toronto, Montreal, Vancouver, and internationally, Riz has helped shape some of North America’s most iconic developments, including One Delisle, King Toronto, and the Shangri-La Residences. His innovative approach to real estate marketing continues to redefine how developers achieve record-breaking success in competitive urban markets.

The post Mastering Lease-Ups and ROI Through Smart Marketing with Riz Dhanji, Founder and President of RAD Marketing appeared first on Commercial Real Estate Podcast.

Welcome to the CRE podcast. 100% Canadian, 100% commercial real estate.

In this episode of the Commercial Real Estate Podcast, hosts Aaron Cameron and Adam Powadiuk welcome back Jennifer Keesmaat, President and CEO of Collecdev Markee, to discuss the critical moment for modular housing in Canada. Fresh from organizing the Canada Builds Modular Summit, Jennifer shares why this government-backed push could finally move modular from the margins to mainstream. From her unique perspective as both former Chief City Planner of Toronto and an active developer building cross-laminated timber projects, she breaks down the interconnected challenges—financing, zoning, factory capacity, and site readiness—that must be solved simultaneously for modular to scale.

What you will learn:

Jennifer Keesmaat is President and CEO of Collecdev Markee, a development company focused on sustainable, purpose-built rental housing using innovative construction methods. As Toronto’s former Chief City Planner, Jennifer brings unique insight into both policy challenges and practical development realities. Her company is currently building a 1,400-unit cross-laminated timber development in North Toronto and breaking ground on a 72-unit modular building in January 2026. Jennifer organized the sold-out Canada Builds Modular Summit to bring together manufacturers, developers, financiers, and government stakeholders to accelerate the scaling of factory-built housing in Canada.

The post Solving the Modular Puzzle: Path to Mainstream Adoption with Jennifer Keesmaat, President and CEO of Collecdev Markee appeared first on Commercial Real Estate Podcast.

Welcome to the CRE podcast. 100% Canadian, 100% commercial real estate.

In this episode of the Commercial Real Estate Podcast, hosts Aaron Cameron and Adam Powadiuk sit down with Jason Parravano, President and CEO of Plaza Retail REIT, to explore how non-discretionary retail, demographic shifts, and disciplined capital strategies are fuelling growth. From succession planning in founder-led REITs to navigating high interest rates, Jason shares practical insights on why focused retail strategies continue to outperform in today’s volatile market.

What you will learn:

Jason Parravano is the President and CEO of Plaza Retail REIT, a major retail-focused real estate investment trust managing 9 million square feet across the Maritimes, Quebec, and Ontario. With a background in accounting and previous experience as CEO of Canadian Net REIT, where he grew the portfolio from 10 to 100 properties, Jason brings extensive expertise in retail real estate management and development. He has successfully navigated two founder successions in his career, while demonstrating strong leadership capabilities in organizational transitions.

The post Why Retail Spaces are a Great Bet Today: Insights from Jason Parravano, President and CEO of Plaza Retail REIT appeared first on Commercial Real Estate Podcast.

Welcome to the CRE podcast. 100% Canadian, 100% commercial real estate.

In this episode of the Commercial Real Estate Podcast, hosts Aaron Cameron and Adam Powadiuk welcome Shaun Hildebrand, President of Urbanation, to explore the forces reshaping Toronto’s real estate landscape. They discuss why new condo development is slowing, the limits of purpose-built rentals in filling the gap, policy-driven cost pressures, and the shifting dynamics of downtown and suburban demand. Sean shares data-driven insights on market corrections, supply challenges, and what lies ahead over the next five years of the Toronto real estate landscape.

What you will learn:

Shaun Hildebrand is the President of Urbanation, a leading research firm specializing in analyzing high-rise residential apartment markets across Canada. With extensive experience in real estate market analysis, he has established himself as a trusted authority on housing supply, demand dynamics, and market trends. Shaun’s work involves tracking new construction condos, purpose-built rentals, and land markets throughout the Greater Toronto Area, Greater Golden Horseshoe, Ottawa, and Montreal. 

The post Toronto Condo Crisis: What’s Next for Developers with Shaun Hildebrand, President of Urbanation appeared first on Commercial Real Estate Podcast.

Welcome to the CRE podcast. 100% Canadian, 100% commercial real estate.

In this episode of the Commercial Real Estate Podcast, hosts Aaron Cameron and Adam Powadiuk welcome Mike Brady, President of Northwest Healthcare Properties REIT, for a deep dive into the rapidly evolving healthcare real estate sector. From the transformation of medical office buildings into advanced healthcare campuses to the impact of demographics and government spending, Brady shares insights into why healthcare real estate is one of the most resilient and attractive real estate asset classes today. Listeners will learn about tenant dynamics, global market differences, and the strategic opportunities shaping Canada’s healthcare property landscape for long-term investors.

What you will learn:

Mike Brady is President of Northwest Healthcare Properties REIT, a global leader in healthcare real estate investment and management across seven countries. Since joining Northwest in 2006, he has held senior roles, including Executive Vice President and General Counsel, before becoming President in 2023. With over two decades of experience spanning real estate investment, finance, governance, and global leadership, Brady has played a pivotal role in expanding Northwest’s portfolio of specialized healthcare facilities. He holds a joint LL.B./MBA and a BA in Economics from Dalhousie University.

The post Building the Future of Healthcare Real Estate with Mike Brady, President of Northwest Healthcare Properties REIT appeared first on Commercial Real Estate Podcast.

Welcome to the CRE podcast. 100% Canadian, 100% commercial real estate.

In this episode of the Commercial Real Estate Podcast, hosts Aaron Cameron and Adam Powadiuk welcome Tony Irwin, President and CEO of Rental Housing Canada, to explore the evolving landscape of federal housing advocacy. Tony shares insights on the rebranding and expansion of his organization, current policy priorities like development charge reform, and strategies for engaging government stakeholders effectively. Listeners will learn about emerging initiatives such as Build Canada Homes, the potential return of the MIRB program, and why unified industry advocacy is essential for shaping Canada’s housing policies and addressing the national rental housing challenge.

What you will learn:

Tony Irwin is the President and CEO of Rental Housing Canada and the Federation of Rental Providers of Ontario (FRPO), bringing extensive expertise in rental housing advocacy and policy development. With a career-long background in government relations and lobbying, Tony has been instrumental in shaping housing policy discussions at both provincial and federal levels. In this episode, he shares insights on the evolution of rental housing advocacy in Canada, the current state of federal housing initiatives like Build Canada Homes, and key policy priorities, including development charge reform and the MIRB program. His work in building relationships between the rental housing industry and government stakeholders has helped create more effective dialogue around housing solutions. 

The post Driving Federal Housing Policy Change to Address the Housing Crisis with Tony Irwin, President and CEO of Rental Housing Canada appeared first on Commercial Real Estate Podcast.

Welcome to the CRE podcast. 100% Canadian, 100% commercial real estate.

In this episode of the Commercial Real Estate Podcast, hosts Aaron Cameron and Adam Powadiuk welcome Peter Senst, President of Canadian Capital Markets at CBRE, to discuss the emerging real estate recovery after five challenging years. From his vantage point at a global firm with $170B under management, Peter shares insights on office leasing surging 40% year-over-year, the shift from Chinese to Asian capital flows, and why food-anchored retail has become the hottest asset class. He explains how tariff concerns are actually driving European capital toward Canada and predicts new tower announcements before June 2026.

What you will learn:

Peter Senst is the President of Canadian Capital Markets at CBRE, overseeing investment activities for the world’s largest commercial real estate services firm. With operations in over 100 countries and a market cap exceeding $50 billion, Peter provides strategic insights to institutional investors globally. His role includes managing relationships with sovereign wealth funds, pension funds, and private capital across North America, Europe, and Asia. Peter regularly travels internationally to facilitate cross-border investment and has been instrumental in positioning Canada as an attractive alternative to US real estate amid geopolitical uncertainties.

The post The Real Estate Recovery: Navigating Market Cycles with Peter Senst, President of Canadian Capital Markets at CBRE appeared first on Commercial Real Estate Podcast.

Welcome to the CRE podcast. 100% Canadian, 100% commercial real estate.

In this episode of the Commercial Real Estate Podcast, hosts Aaron Cameron and Adam Powadiuk welcome Sandy Shindleman, Founder and President of Shindico Realty Inc., to reflect on 50 years of building one of Canada’s leading private real estate companies. From his first mixed-use project in Portage La Prairie to managing a $2.7B portfolio, Sandy shares how patience, low leverage, and disciplined growth fueled long-term success. He discusses strategies for site intensification, diversification into multiple asset classes, and navigating market cycles with conservative financial management. Listeners gain invaluable lessons on resilience, opportunity, and creating enduring value in commercial real estate.

What you will learn:

Sandy Shindleman is the Founder and President of Shindico Realty Inc., a leading Canadian real estate company with over $2.7 billion in assets under management. With over 50 years of experience, he has grown Shindico from one mixed-use property into nearly 200 assets spanning retail, industrial, multi-residential, and mixed-use projects. A CCIM Senior Instructor Emeritus, Sandy has shared his expertise worldwide while championing sustainable development and disciplined investment. His leadership and insights continue to shape commercial real estate across Canada’s Prairie regions.

The post Building a $2.7B Real Estate Powerhouse with Sandy Shindleman, Founder and President of Shindico Realty Inc. appeared first on Commercial Real Estate Podcast.