CBRE’s national investment team canceled its annual post-Edmonton Real Estate Forum dinner last week and instead donated the funds to the Edmonton Emergency Relief Services Society, to support those affected by the Fort McMurray fires. (PM Justin Trudeau meets with relief workers, above.) “It was the easiest decision we have made all year,” CBRE Edmonton managing director Dave Young tells us. “No one wanted to be out celebrating when we knew our friends in Fort Mac wouldn’t be going back to their homes that night. We just wanted to do something to show our support and that they were in our thoughts.”

Americas-wide, the CBRE Cares Foundation is offering 50% matching donations (up to a total contribution of $50k) made via its Canadian Red Cross portal; Fort McMurray Boys’ and Girls’ Club portal; and the foundation’s own site. CBRE employees across the Americas had raised more than $36k as of Monday morning. CBRE's Vancouver office is challenging other brokerage firms in the city to see who can raise the most; and CBRE’s three Greater Toronto Area offices are also in a competition to generate the most donations by this Friday.