IEC Ltd., Audeamus Capital Corp. and certain other entities related to the Strategic Group, one of Calgary, Alberta's largest real estate companies, obtained protection under the CCAA on December 10. The company has attributed its financial difficulties to the extended slump in the Canadian energy market. Vacancy rates in commercial office space in Calgary have soared since 2015 due to companies ceasing operations, engaging in headcount reductions and undertaking cost cutting measures. These vacancies have been compounded in the last two years by a large amount of new office space being added to the Calgary market, as well as increases in the property taxes being charged by the city. To put things in perspective, Calgary's downtown office vacancy rate is estimated to be 24.6% vs. Toronto's 2.2%. These changing market conditions have reduced the company's revenues and materially reduced the market value of many of its rental assets. Believing that there is no macro-economic turnaround on the horizon, the company sought creditor protection and intends to restructure its rental portfolio. Hardie & Kelly is the monitor. Neil Narfason was appointed CRO. Counsel is McCarthy Tétrault for the company and Norton Rose Fulbright for the monitor.