The latest Canadian Pulse of Lighting analysis reveals a market that is cautious and uneven, with modest top‑line growth masking significant strain underneath. For specifiers and design professionals, the data confirms what many already feel: project flow is selective, decision cycles are stretched, and value‑oriented solutions have moved from “alternative” to “default.”
As part of a comprehensive renovation of the Coldstream Municipal Office, Axis Lighting provided custom lighting solutions that combine performance and architectural refinement. The installation features Sculpt Patterns and Sculpt Recessed luminaires, enhancing both visual comfort and spatial definition throughout key gathering and circulation areas. Designed to support modern municipal workspaces and public engagement areas, the lighting strategy emphasizes balanced illumination with an emphasis on clean lines and functional clarity. The Sculpt family’s architectural presence integrates seamlessly with the updated interior design, reinforcing a professional yet welcoming environment for staff and community members alike.
A look at what’s underway at Toronto Metropolitan University. RENO Lighting has recently completed the first phase of a multi-phase lighting retrofit project at TMU—an important step in modernizing learning environments with their energy-efficient Prime AIM 2×2 back-lit panels. This is just the beginning. With additional floors scheduled for the new year, the project will continue to roll out floor by floor, enhancing visual comfort, consistency, and energy performance across the space.
Lobbies are multifunctional spaces where practical, and aesthetic aspects of the design come together to create both a functional and welcoming environment. A lobby is typically the first impression visitors have of a building and sets the tone for the experience they will have in the space. When designing a lobby, consider how lighting will be designed for visual comfort, integration of daylight, all while setting the desired mood and addressing emergency lighting requirements.
As lighting technology continues to evolve, selectable CCT (Correlated Colour Temperature) has quickly become one of the most valuable features for contractors, distributors, and end users. Once limited to a fixed colour temperature, such as a standard 4000K, LED luminaires can now deliver multiple colour temperatures within a single fixture. This flexibility not only streamlines inventory and simplifies decision-making but also ensures optimal lighting performance for a wide range of applications.
Looking at common feedback from code officials, electrical inspectors, and trade publications to discern the top three mistakes inspectors most often cite with residential downlight installations. One of the biggest errors is installing a non-IC-rated downlight in contact with or too close to insulation. Non-IC (Insulation Contact) fixtures require clearance from insulation because they overheat when buried, posing a fire risk. Inspectors frequently find fixtures either covered with blown-in insulation or improperly spaced, which is an automatic red flag.
Since the advent of the Industrial Revolution, western societies have gotten into the habit of living in a world surrounded by light, both inside and outside the home, which allows people to pursue their activities after the sun has gone down. And yet, have you ever given any thought to the negative effects of an overly lit environment? The overriding consequence is light pollution of our cities! What can be done to counter this phenomenon? Light pollution is an occurrence that manifests itself at dusk. It is caused by an overabundance of misdirected, ineffective, and useless lighting systems, most notably in urban areas where artificial light sources such as street lamps, are used excessively.
Ever struggled to see clearly while prepping in the kitchen, working at your desk, or tackling a project? The right task lighting can make all the difference. At EB Horsman, they offer a range of Liteline solutions designed to provide focused, energy-efficient illumination wherever precision matters. Task lighting delivers focused illumination to areas where clarity and detail are essential. Unlike ambient lighting, which brightens an entire space, or accent lighting, which highlights décor, task lighting is designed for specific activities—from cooking and cleaning to reading, crafting, or working at a bench. Proper task lighting enhances productivity, reduces eye strain, and improves overall comfort. Choosing the right fixtures, positioning them effectively, and integrating them with ambient and accent layers ensures your space is both functional and inviting.
When selecting your lighting fixtures, performance, efficiency, and longevity are often top priorities. But there’s another critical factor that’s sometimes overlooked — impact resistance, measured by an IK rating. Whether your lighting is installed in a rugged industrial facility or an exposed outdoor environment, understanding IK ratings ensures your fixtures can handle the job safely and reliably.
As the number of devices used daily increases, so does the need for a charger that delivers safe speeds and maximum charging potential. A high-quality USB charger delivers efficient charging without risk of damage, but the sea of USB chargers and outlets available on online retailers can be cheaply made without the end-user experience in mind. So, how can you tell if a USB charger is high-quality?
Canada Light Expo concluded its second edition on 12–13 November at the International Centre, Toronto, bringing together professionals, innovators, and leaders from across Canada and North America. Organized by MEX International Inc., this year’s expo welcomed over 1,436 attendees and featured more than 90 exhibiting companies, presenting a diverse showcase of architectural, decorative, landscape, smart, human-centric, horticultural, and sustainable lighting solutions. Attendees represented key regions across Canada, including Alberta, British Columbia, Ontario, Quebec, Nova Scotia, as well as international visitors from countries such as the United States, Brazil, China, Hong Kong, Italy, and Japan. The steady rise in participation fostered an environment where meaningful conversations, practical insights, and new business opportunities naturally flourished.
2025 has been a year full of major events and changes, both in Canada and abroad, creating new opportunities for partnerships, solutions and market growth. In regards to the Canadian lighting industry, Canada Light Expo (CLE) 2025 witnessed a landmark gathering of the lighting industry, as it returned for its highly anticipated second edition that was held from 12–13 November 2025 at the International Centre, Toronto. Organized by MEX International Inc., the event provided the region’s most comprehensive lighting trade fair, that brought together top brands, industry leaders, and the latest innovations shaping the future of lighting.
Light plays a crucial role not only in our ability to see but also in regulating our internal body clock, sleep patterns, and overall well-being. Traditional lighting design primarily focuses on visual comfort and task illumination. However, recent advancements have shed light on the concept of melanopic lighting, which specifically targets the non-visual effects of light on human health. Human eyes contain special light-sensitive cells called intrinsically photosensitive retinal ganglion cells (ipRGCs). These cells contain a photopigment called melanopsin, which is most sensitive to blue-green light wavelengths. When stimulated by light, melanopsin triggers various non-visual responses in the body.
More and more devices connect to the Internet every day, most wirelessly. Wireless connectivity is a must have. Conventional wireless connectivity solutions use the crowded radio spectrum to communicate. What’s more there are areas where radio frequency wireless connectivity is not permitted or the best fit. Trulifi by Signify is a smart solution. It’s a range of LiFi systems, providing two-way wireless communication that provides consistent high-speed connectivity, unique physical security and has low latency for real time data streaming.
Have you ever walked into someone’s home and immediately felt a sense of warmth and richness that you can’t quite pin down? Often, this is because they’ve really nailed their lighting design. In other words, the ambient illumination is bright but not glaring. Art and architecture are subtly highlighted, while task lights brighten work zones. The right lighting can make your home feel just like this: the perfect balance of cozy and functional. So, whether you’re a homeowner refreshing your space, or a property manager upgrading rentals for comfort and efficiency, now’s the perfect time to think about your lighting choices!
Lighting has always been a technical necessity, but today it is evolving into something far more powerful. Human-Centric Lighting (HCL) is shifting the conversation from simple illumination to environments that actively support wellbeing, productivity, and sustainability. By aligning artificial light with natural circadian rhythms, industry leaders are redefining how workplaces, healthcare facilities, educational institutions, and even hospitality spaces are designed. At the heart of this change are exhibitors and solution providers developing systems that move beyond energy efficiency to focus on human impact.
This project is funded [in part] by the Government of Canada.
Ce projet est financé [en partie] par le gouvernement du Canada.
