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Q1 2026

In this edition of Industry Insights

Building stronger connections with industry partners

• Message from Greg Martino, Chief Assessor and Data Officer
• Shaping better service by listening to Ontario business property owners

Assessment Information Requests

• 2026 Assessment Information Request program

PROfessional highlight

• Ryan Ford, Manager, Centralized Properties

MPAC in motion

• Property sector trade shows
• Upcoming conferences

Equity, Diversity, Inclusion and Accessibility

• Black History Month

On social

• Reflections on the IMA IPTI Virtual Symposium

Building stronger connections with industry partners

This past January I had the privilege to participate in the Institute of Municipal Assessors (IMA) & International Property Tax Institute (IPTI) Virtual Symposium, Embracing Global Innovation – Impact on Valuation Professionals, where conversations centered on the evolving landscape of property assessment around the globe.

We also recently closed a survey with a broad cross-section of business property owners. The goal was to collect feedback and input directly from the source. Events like the Virtual Symposium and initiatives such as the survey are important opportunities where we can hear directly from our partners and customers. 

These opportunities play an important role in how we continue to collaborate, build meaningful relationships and help inform our work. As a result, I am pleased to share that MPAC will be looking for additional opportunities this year to collaborate and connect. To help support our efforts, we are looking to learn more about the topics you are most interested in and encourage you to answer our quick poll linked below.

Poll: Industry feedback

We are interested in finding out what you would like to discuss or hear about when engaging with MPAC.



Shaping better service by listening to Ontario business property owners

To learn more about the diverse needs of the people we serve, we invited approximately 10,000 business property owners to take part in an online survey about their experience with MPAC. The survey looked at property owners’ familiarity with MPAC, our initiatives, and sought feedback from their interactions with us.

Property owners eligible for our annual Property Income and Expense Return were also invited to tell us about their online experience submitting their information through the Assessment Information Request portal.

Thank you to everyone who took the time to share your perspective. Your feedback is incredibly important and will help identify future opportunities to better serve business property owners.

Assessment Information Requests

MPAC’s annual Assessment Information Request Program is now underway for 2026. This program collects essential property‑specific information that supports our efforts to maintain accurate property records, deliver quality assessments, and better understand changes across Ontario’s property landscape.

Property owners using the Assessment Information Request portal in MPAC AboutMyProperty™ enjoy an enhanced experience, including a user-friendly interface and streamlined navigation.

The first information request this year is the pipelines campaign, which began on January 26 and concluded on March 2. This initial request will be followed by the grain elevator campaign, which commenced on March 10 with a submission deadline of April 28.

Our largest annual information request campaign, the Property Income and Expense Return, will launch on May 20 and run until July 15, 2026. Stay tuned for our Q2 issue of the Industry Insights newsletter to learn how we’re continuing to improve data collection activities for income-producing properties.

PROfessional highlight

We caught up with Ryan Ford, Manager of Centralized Properties within our Valuation and Assessment Standards department. Ryan holds the Member of the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (MRCIS) with the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS).

Can you tell us a bit about yourself?

I have been working in property assessment for nearly 30 years. My career began like many others in the industry, focused on residential properties. As I started learning about valuing other property types, I developed an interest in industrial property valuation, which eventually opened the door to my current role leading the Energy, Utilities, and Heavy Rail team.



What are some of the emerging areas or sections that the Energy, Utilities and Heavy Rail team is focused on?

The Energy, Utilities, and Heavy Rail team is responsible for the valuation and classification of properties which generate, transform, or distribute electricity. This includes everything from nuclear generating facilities to small transformer stations across the province. Given the increased demand on Ontario’s electricity grid, it’s an evolving sector that requires research, international collaboration, and a highly dedicated professional team.

We also value all properties within Ontario’s natural gas and oil industry, including pipelines and compressor stations. Heavy rail and water treatment facilities round out the bulk of our portfolio.

Why is engagement and collaboration important for the Energy, Utilities and Heavy Rail team?

Our team works diligently to connect with energy developers and establish solid working relationships to ensure information is shared by all parties so we can maintain accurate property records, deliver quality assessments, and inform changes to Ontario’s property landscape.

Recently, I presented at a virtual webinar with the Canadian Renewable Energy Association (CANREA). The presentation focused on MPAC’s role in the property taxation system and on the benefits of communication with developers to all parties in the valuation of renewable energy facilities. 

In particular, we are closely monitoring the emergence of battery energy storage systems and the upgrades to several nuclear power stations. Raising awareness of MPAC’s role at opportunities like the CANREA event and having open and consistent dialogue with our partners in the energy sector is an important aspect of our work.

MPAC in Motion

Property sector trade shows

Ahead of this year’s Property Income and Expense Return, MPAC representatives are engaging with property owners to spread awareness and promote the benefits of submitting on MPAC AboutMyProperty™. Earlier this month, we spoke with golf course property owners at the National Golf Course Owners Association (NGCOA) Canada Spring Warm Ups in Nobleton on March 3 and London on March 4, and coming up we’ll be at the Together We Care tradeshow from March 23-25 followed by the Property Management Springfest on April 23.

If you are planning to attend any of these events, please stop by our booth to connect with our assessment experts.

Upcoming conferences

Interested in learning more about property assessment? MPAC subject matter experts are regularly invited to share their expertise and knowledge of best practices with others in the field of property valuation and assessment at speaking engagements and conferences. We are looking forward to thoughtful discussions in discussions on the Valuation of Vacant Land on March 26 and Valuation of Agricultural Properties on April 23 as part of the upcoming IMA/IPTI webinar series. Visit the IMA or IPTI website for more information.

Equity, Diversity, Inclusion and Accessibility

Black History Month

This year, the Black Employee Network at MPAC selected the theme ‘Global Roots, Boundless Innovation’, reflecting the past, present, and future of Black identity and its impact around the world. As part of this, MPAC hosted an all‑employee hybrid leader chat featuring Camille Dundas, focused on shared perspectives and lived experiences.

Recognizing Black History Month is one part of our broader, ongoing work in equity, diversity, inclusion, and anti‑racism. This work continues beyond February and is reflected in how we listen, learn, and engage with one another and the communities we serve.

On Social

Reflections on the IMA IPTI Virtual Symposium

From left to right: Greg Martino, Chief Assessor and Data Officer, Jason Grant, AACI,P.App,RI, President and Chief Executive Officer, BC Assessment, Cate Watt AMAA, M.I.M.A., Branch Manager/City Assessor, City of Edmonton, Lisa Dionne

“I had the pleasure of taking part in this year’s IMA IPTI Virtual Symposium: Embracing Global Innovation – Impact on Valuation Professionals. The symposium organizers did a tremendous job of developing a program that included discussions on issues top of mind to the industry. Having the opportunity to connect with peers and hearing insights from jurisdictions across Canada and other part of the globe made for an energizing and thought-provoking few days.”

Greg Martino, Chief Assessor and Data Officer

Read the full post on LinkedIn.

Working with industry partners

MPAC is committed to working with industry partners across the province. If you want more information about MPAC and how we work with you, please contact us at industry@mpac.ca. We look forward to learning more about opportunities to connect in the future.