Pandemic Planning for Canadian Commercial Real Estate

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BOMA Canada Holds Key Role in New National Pandemic Planning Task Force
2006-06 ::: BOMA Canada Press Release

In response to growing concerns over the possibility of a widespread viral outbreak, a National Industry Pandemic Planning Task Force has been established, composed of representatives from major commercial real estate owners and managers across the country, as well as BOMA Canada. The group is supported by Marsh Canada as an expert in business continuity and by Dr. Donald Low, Chief of Microbiology at Mount Sinai Hospital in Toronto.

The news of a possible Avian Flu Pandemic is becoming of increasing concern in Canada. In the event of a pandemic, the medical community projects that as much as 40% of the workforce will be unavailable for periods of up to 8 weeks. The workforce impact will include not only tenants, building management and staff, but also key service providers, such as cleaning and security firms. Safety, business continuity and limiting transmission are all crucial issues. Risk managers now advise that pandemic planning must become a central part of disaster preparedness plans and policies.

To mitigate the effects of any potential pandemic, this new task force is committed to shaping strategies that reach beyond individual buildings’ boundaries and to cooperatively provide action plans to protect entire tenant communities. The Industry Task Force participants include senior members of the country’s commercial real estate organizations. Deb Cross, Executive Vice President, will represent BOMA Canada on the Task Force.

“I am very pleased to confirm the unanimous decision by the BOMA Canada Board to support the National Industry Pandemic Planning Task Force, says Esther Paterson, President of BOMA Canada. “Our entire industry will benefit from the involvement and expertise of the Task Force participants.”

The objective of this Task Force is to develop a national pandemic response template for commercial office landlords. The participation of senior leaders from national firms demonstrates the task force’s commitment to developing a practical, comprehensive plan that will work for the entire industry. The plan, being developed in cooperation with critical service providers across the country, will include procedures, public responses and standard communication in the event of a pandemic or similar event. “The cooperative spirit on this effort is a credit to the industry participants who have spearheaded this initiative,” says Ms. Paterson.

The local BOMA Associations across the country are also taking a leadership role in establishing local task forces, which will provide a critical link to regional and municipal authorities across the country. BOMA Toronto has developed a comprehensive publication regarding pandemic planning which is now available on the BOMA Canada website.

To complement the efforts of the Industry Task Force, BOMA Canada has established a BOMA Canada Emergency Response Planning Task Force which is committed to ensuring effective communication amongst all stakeholders. “As the voice of the commercial real estate industry, BOMA Canada will consolidate the guidance and information provided by the senior industry representatives, to ensure consistent dissemination of information across the country,” explains Ms. Paterson.

The BOMA Canada website now provides numerous industry and government resource links at http://www.bomacanada.ca/advocacy/pandemic.html. Further details on Pandemic Planning will be distributed and posted as they become available, and the Pandemic area of the BOMA Canada website will be the central source of information for the industry.

The Building Owners and Managers Association (BOMA) of Canada is the voice of the Canadian commercial real estate industry with over 2,500 members in regional associations across Canada. On behalf of the building owners, managers, developers, facilities managers, asset managers, leasing agents, brokers, and the product and service providers to over 1.9 billion square feet of commercial real estate in Canada. BOMA Canada addresses issues of national concern, and promotes excellence in the industry through information, education advocacy and recognition.

 

 

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