Choice Properties REIT Announces Green Financing Framework

TORONTO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Choice Properties Real Estate Investment Trust ("Choice Properties" or the "Trust") (TSX: CHP.UN) today announced the release of its inaugural Green Financing Framework (the “Framework”), under which the Trust may issue green bonds, green loans, or other financial instruments to fund new and existing eligible green projects.

“This Framework reflects our commitment to embedding environmental sustainability practices across our organization and in our management approach,” said Rael Diamond, President and Chief Executive Officer at Choice Properties. “We are proud to integrate sustainable finance in our business and projects. Green financing will help Choice Properties in making strategic, long-term investments in energy transition solutions and improve climate resilience across our portfolio.”

The Framework has been reviewed by Sustainalytics, a global leader in providing environmental, social and governance (ESG) research and analysis. Sustainalytics issued a second party opinion confirming that the Framework aligns with the International Capital Markets Association Green Bond Principles 2021 and the Loan Market Association Green Loan Principles 2021. CIBC Capital Markets acted as Green Structuring Agent for the Framework.

The Trust will provide annual updates through its website and/or ESG Report regarding the use of net proceeds of any green financing, until the net proceeds of any such financing are fully allocated to eligible green projects.

Copies of the Framework and Sustainalytics’ second party opinion are available on the Trust’s website at: choicereit.ca/sustainability.

About Choice Properties Real Estate Investment Trust

Choice Properties is a leading real estate investment trust that creates enduring value through the ownership, operation and development of high-quality commercial and residential properties.

We believe that value comes from creating spaces that improve how our tenants and communities come together to live, work, and connect. We strive to understand the needs of our tenants and manage our properties to the highest standard. We aspire to develop healthy, resilient communities through our dedication to social, economic, and environmental sustainability. In everything we do, we are guided by a shared set of values grounded in Care, Ownership, Respect and Excellence.

For more information, visit Choice Properties’ website at www.choicereit.ca and Choice Properties’ issuer profile at www.sedar.com.

Cautionary Statements

This news release and the Framework contain forward-looking statements relating to Choice Properties’ operations and the environment in which the Trust operates, which are based on management’s expectations, estimates, forecasts and projections. These statements are not guarantees of future performance and involve risks and uncertainties that are difficult to control or predict. Therefore, actual outcomes and results may differ materially from those expressed in these forward-looking statements. Readers, therefore, should not place undue reliance on any such forward-looking statements. Further, a forward-looking statement speaks only as of the date on which such statement is made. Management undertakes no obligation to publicly update any such statement, to reflect new information or the occurrence of future events or circumstances, except as required by law.

Numerous risks and uncertainties could cause the Trust’s actual results to differ materially from those expressed, implied or projected in the forward-looking statements, including those described in Section 12, “Enterprise Risks and Risk Management” of the Trust’s MD&A for the year ended December 31, 2020, which includes detailed risks and disclosure regarding COVID-19 and its impact on the Trust, and those described in the Trust’s Annual Information Form for the year ended December 31, 2020.

This news release does not constitute an offer to sell, or solicitation of an offer to buy, any Trust securities or a recommendation to engage into any investment activity, in any jurisdiction or to any person or entity.