MIAMI—It's a Canadian capital invasion. Commercial real estate investors and developers—even Canadian banks—have a growing appetite to buy, build or lend against all asset classes in many American markets. Yes, what started out long ago with individuals scooping up residential properties in warmer US climates has become a full-blown CRE trend that's gaining momentum faster than the winter snow melts across the border in springtime. Some Canadians are even jokingly referring to the US as “the 11th province.”

GlobeSt.com caught up with Brian Ward, president of Colliers International's Capital Markets group in the Americas, to get his take on what's driving the trend in part one of this exclusive interview. Be sure to come back to this afternoon's Miami edition to read part two.

GlobeSt.com: Canadian dollars are flowing into the United States seeking commercial real estate investments. Has that activity increased or decreased since 2012-2013?