Building Stronger,
Livable Communities

Social

We want to make a lasting impact by inspiring positive change for the communities with whom we work, live and do business. Working collaboratively with communities, our focus is on creating positive social impacts that contribute to their overall well-being, quality of life, and economic and social prosperity.

A Closer Look

Delivering Social Value

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A Closer Look

Habitat for Humanity

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A Closer Look

MicroHabitat

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Community Consultation

Real estate shapes communities, so we consult neighbours before major projects. Their perspectives guide planning, design and construction, helping us understand local social and environmental concerns. Working with community partners, we address issues collaboratively, share project updates openly and uncover ideas that enrich community life while supporting lasting building value.

Economic Impacts

Our economic impacts are far-reaching.

Supporting Businesses

Much more than bricks and mortar, the buildings we develop and manage are engines of economic activity. They house businesses and retail stores, supporting the employment of thousands of people and contributing to the economic prosperity of communities. We design and manage our buildings to help these businesses succeed – for example, by enabling rapid reconfiguration of an industrial property to meet tenants’ changing needs.

Driving Local Economies

Our development projects boost regional and local economies, through the massive amounts of goods and services required to complete these complex undertakings. Directly or through third parties, we retain architects, engineers, consultants, tradespeople, construction firms and more – and purchase millions of dollars in materials.

Creating Quality Jobs

Supporting Financial Security

On an even broader scale, as a real estate investment advisor that serves primarily large pension funds and insurance companies, GWL Realty Advisors supports the financial security of the millions of individuals who depend on our clients for their pensions and savings. We take this responsibility very seriously.

Community Investments

Through Canada Life’s Stronger Communities Together program, we support local organizations driving positive change near our offices. Our longstanding partnership with Habitat for Humanity engages staff in building safe, affordable homes. As an Imagine Canada member, Canada Life contributes at least 1% of net profits through donations and volunteer hours.

Health, Safety
and Security

We have put in place robust occupational health & safety (OH&S) and security policies, procedures and programs to protect our employees and tenants.

Risk Prevention

For employees, a risk-based prevention approach to safety management and regular assessments help us proactively identify and mitigate safety risks. Risk prevention programs focus on topics such as slips and falls, electrical safety, confined spaces, working at heights and ergonomics. All employees participate in mandatory OH&S training, and safety awareness is promoted through monthly OH&S Tool Box Talks and our Eye on Safety Program, which encourages them to identify safety concerns, take corrective actions and share lessons learned.

Property Security

Our Security and Life Safety Services team has established property-specific security solutions for maintaining asset integrity, protecting building occupants and preventing business interruptions. Each property is assigned a risk ranking commensurate with the degree and type of risks and threats faced. The assigned ranking helps determine the type of security program best suited to protect the property and its occupants.

Emergency Preparedness

Emergency management teams at each property know how to execute on our emergency management plans should an incident occur that could threaten normal property operations, asset integrity or occupant safety. In addition, our National Security Operations Centre – a 24/7 security fusion centre – enables us to identify, log and respond to major security incidents.

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Reducing Our Environmental Footprint 2025