In March, the Canadian Self Storage Association delivered news about two losses impacting its members: the untimely deaths of a member’s facility team member and a member’s niece. Jason “Jay” Pollard, described as a warm and genuine person, possessed the natural ability to connect with customers and make them feel seen. He was a trusted facility manager who led with kindness and integrity, taking pride in his work and the property he managed. During a trip to Mexico with his daughter, a tragic accident claimed his life. This GoFundMe page has been created in his memory to help his young daughter with her future: www.gofundme.com/f/znafj-in-memory-of-jason-pollard.

An unrelated GoFundMe page has been established for Sweet Frances McAdams, the four-year-old niece of Bliss Edwards, who succumbed to injuries sustained from a tragic accident. She is survived by her four older siblings and parents. To help her family, visit https://gofund.me/cbc7d2a5f.

Pandora Self-Storage (Pandora Mini-Entrepôts) is expanding its network of storage facilities across Greater Montreal to meet growing demand from families and businesses throughout the region. The Canadian-owned and operated company currently serves Montreal residents through locations in Kirkland and Pointe-Claire, and it has a new Brossard facility opening soon at 3505 Boulevard Matte to serve the growing South Shore community. All locations offer 24/7 recorded video surveillance to help deter unauthorized access; customers receive personalized access codes for secure gate access. Climate-controlled units and packing supplies are available at all Pandora Self-Storage locations. Free moving carts and dollies are provided to make loading and unloading easier.

Janus International Group, Inc. has released Janus Rapid Replace, a mobile app designed to streamline self-storage door replacement quotes and orders. The Janus Rapid Replace app was built for self-storage owner-operators and facility managers who need a fast, reliable way to request quotes and submit orders to replace damaged or unsafe unit doors at their facilities. This first of its kind, self-storage door replacement app was built with simplicity and efficiency in mind. Janus Rapid Replace helps eliminate the guesswork and delays often associated with self-storage door replacement by guiding the user through screens to capture existing door details. The Janus Rapid Replace mobile app:

• Automates the process of door documentation,
• Streamlines the door replacement quote request process,
• Removes the guesswork thanks to it user-friendliness, and
• Eliminates (in most cases) the need for a site visit to confirm door details and measurements and can reduce the time to quote to two business days.

The R3 Program by Janus International provides solutions to help self-storage owners optimize space, maximize revenue, and improve the overall quality of existing facilities. For the past 17 years, the Janus R3 team has been serving the self-storage industry with door replacements, hallway reskins, unit remixes, and relocatable storage “MASS” (Movable Additional Storage Structures) solutions. To meet the industry’s evolving needs, Janus has expanded its R3 program to include a broader scope of services, like office remodels, roofing replacements, security system upgrades, building renovations and repairs, and more. The Janus Rapid Replace mobile app is the latest innovation from the R3 team at Janus.

For more information about the Janus International R3 Program, visit https://www.janusintl.com/self-storage/r3. To access Janus Rapid Replace on the App Store, visit https://apps.apple.com/us/app/janus-rapid-replace/id6758052520. To access Janus Rapid Replace on the Google Play Store, visit https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.janusrapidreplace.app.

SmartStop Self Storage REIT, Inc. has been recognized by Newsweek readers as one of the top climate-controlled storage providers in the U.S. in the publication’s 2026 Readers’ Choice rankings. Among the companies included on the list, SmartStop was the highest ranked publicly traded self-storage provider, underscoring the strength of its brand, customer experience, and national platform.

The Newsweek Readers’ Choice Awards are based on consumer voting and reflect the opinions of customers who interact with storage providers across the U.S. SmartStop’s placement highlights growing brand awareness and reinforces the company’s reputation for delivering clean, secure, and well-maintained climate-controlled storage options in major markets throughout North America. With a presence in major markets throughout the United States and Canada, the company has invested in modern storage environments designed to help protect customers’ belongings from extreme temperatures and humidity. As the highest ranked public company on the list, SmartStop stands out for its ability to deliver a consistent experience at scale while continuing to grow its presence in key markets.

The Vancouver Whitecaps FC welcomed Maple Leaf Self Storage as the club’s Official Storage Partner through the 2027 to 2028 season. As part of the partnership, Maple Leaf Self Storage served as the presenting partner of the all-Canadian “Maple Leaf Matchup” between Vancouver Whitecaps FC and Toronto FC at BC Place on Feb. 28, 2026, where the Vancouver Whitecaps FC defeated Toronto FC 3 to 0.

“We’re proud to partner with Vancouver Whitecaps FC as their Official Storage Partner and to support a club with such a strong and lasting legacy,” said Terry Thomas, president of Maple Leaf Self Storage. “As a Canadianowned company that has been serving Western Canada for over 40 years, we see this partnership as a meeting of two organizations with deep roots, pride, and a longstanding commitment to community. The Maple Leaf Matchup is a great opportunity to celebrate Canadian pride, community, and the history behind two trusted brands.”

SmartStop Self Storage REIT, Inc. has acquired a 1.75-acre parcel of land in Edmonton, Alta., for the development of a new Class-A facility in partnership with SmartCentres. Located at 8403 127 Avenue NW, the site is near the downtown area and offers strong visibility to southbound traffic along 82 Street NW. The development plans call for a four-story building with two elevators and approximately 99,650 net rentable square feet of climate-controlled storage space. Construction is slated to begin in the second quarter of 2027; a planned soft opening will commence in the third quarter of 2028. It will serve the neighborhoods of Balwin, Delton, Elmwood Park, Killarney, Calder, Sherbrooke, and Westwood.

The REIT has also acquired the 1.78-acre land parcel at 1125 Finch Avenue in Toronto, Ont., for the planned development of a Class-A self-storage facility. SmartStop will undertake the development in partnership with SmartCentres. Approximately nine miles north of downtown Toronto, the proposed development will consist of a four-story, state-of-the-art facility with approximately 100,000 net rentable square feet and 1,100 climate-controlled units. Construction is scheduled to begin in the fourth quarter of 2026 and conclude by the fourth quarter of 2027. It will serve the established neighborhoods of York University Heights, Downsview, Black Creek, Humbermede, Glen Park, and Emery.

NationWide Self Storage, which operates four facilities in British Columbia, raised $11,110 to support Covenant House Vancouver, a charity that provides safe shelter, food, health care, education, and employment support to vulnerable youth across the providence. The “Impact with Purpose Fundraiser” ran from Dec. 1, 2024, to Dec. 31, 2025. A portion of the first month for every new rental was donated even if the tenant’s first month was free. Participating facilities included 3680 E. 4th Avenue and 1223 E. Pender Street in Vancouver and 2337 King George Boulevard in Surrey. Funds raised through the campaign will help sustain these programs and expand their reach.

Strategic Storage Trust VI, Inc., a publicly registered non-traded real estate investment trust sponsored by an affiliate of SmartStop Self Storage REIT, Inc., has opened a new Class-A facility in Toronto, Ont. Located at 1983 Kipling Avenue, the five-story, climate-controlled facility offers approximately 90,300 net rentable square feet and features modern design, enhanced security, multiple elevators, and large indoor loading bays for convenient access throughout the building. Serving customers across Toronto, Rexdale, Mississauga, Brampton, Vaughan, Woodbridge, and North York, this property is the REIT’s 50th location in Canada.

Canadian real estate investment firm Avenue Living Asset Management Ltd. is planning initial public offerings (IPOs) for its $9.8 billion apartment-building and self-storage portfolios. It recently launched reviews of its privately owned 23,000-apartment portfolio, the Avenue Living Real Estate Core Trust, and the Mini Mall Storage Properties Trust. It expects to complete the review by the end of June.

Avenue Living executives have recommended that the two trusts go public on the Toronto Stock Exchange as real estate investment trusts (REITs). According to a press release, trustees for each portfolio are “evaluating a transition to public markets alongside other strategic alternatives to ensure the optimal structure for long-term value creation.”

The two processes are taking place independently and may result in different outcomes. The pair of offerings could create public companies worth more than $3 billion, based on the value of comparable publicly listed REITs. The Mini Mall trust has returned 11.1 percent since its inception in 2020 and acquired 3.5 million square feet of storage space over the past 12 months for $887 million. Trustees will consider all options, including takeover offers if any materialized.

Cofounders Anthony Giuffre and Jason Jogia and the executive team have significant investments and will retain their stakes if the trusts execute the IPOs, saying taking them public will give their management team additional access to capital for expansion.

On April 2, 2026, SmartStop Self Storage REIT, Inc. rang the opening bell at the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE). The ceremony commemorated SmartStop’s one-year anniversary as a publicly traded company on the NYSE. Since its listing, SmartStop has continued to expand its platform, strengthen its operating capabilities, and deepen its relationships across the investment community. Over the past year, SmartStop has advanced several key strategic initiatives, including the successful transaction with Argus Professional Storage Management to further enhance its third-party management capabilities and broadened its operational footprint.

SmartStop’s Executive Vice President Bliss Edwards participated as a panelist at the Vancouver Real Estate Forum on March 31 and April 1, 2026, at the Vancouver Convention Centre (West Building) in Vancouver, B.C. The panel discussion, “Exploring Alternative Assets: From Self-Storage and Seniors & Student Housing to Data Centers – Where Are Investors Flocking Next?” was held April 1.

Per the discussion, there continues to be strong interest from domestic institutions and private capital in the Canadian self-storage sector, although overall participation still trails the U.S. market. Key investment drivers include stable cash flow, opportunities for operational upside, and persistent supply constraints in major markets. While valuations have increased, investors emphasized the importance of understanding the underlying story behind each acquisition; disciplined underwriting remains critical, with a focus on pursuing assets that align with long-term strategy rather than chasing every opportunity. Operational sophistication in the sector has evolved significantly, with revenue management strategies, digital marketing capabilities, and enhanced customer experience now playing a central role in driving performance. Development activity remains challenging in markets like British Columbia due to regulatory and cost barriers, but well-executed projects can deliver strong long-term value.