advocacy Archives - REM https://realestatemagazine.ca/tag/advocacy/ Canada’s premier magazine for real estate professionals. Thu, 23 Oct 2025 20:04:55 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.8.3 https://realestatemagazine.ca/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/cropped-REM-Fav-32x32.png advocacy Archives - REM https://realestatemagazine.ca/tag/advocacy/ 32 32 CREA celebrates 40 years of PAC Days https://realestatemagazine.ca/crea-celebrates-40-years-of-pac-days/ https://realestatemagazine.ca/crea-celebrates-40-years-of-pac-days/#respond Fri, 24 Oct 2025 09:02:43 +0000 https://realestatemagazine.ca/?p=40763 CREA marks an important milestone for government relations and housing policy advocacy

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]]> This year marks 40 years of the Canadian Real Estate Association (CREA) bringing together Realtors from across Canada with their local Members of Parliament in Ottawa.

The annual PAC Days conference, to be held this year from Oct. 26 to 28, allows Realtors to advocate for housing policy recommendations. 

“Realtors live and work in every part of Canada. They are deeply invested in their communities, and when they come to Parliament Hill to talk about important housing issues, MPs listen,” said David Humphreys, CREA consultant and founding PAC Days organizer.

This year, Realtors will be urging the federal government to accelerate the construction of missing middle housing such as townhomes, duplexes and family-sized apartments, and to dedicate a share of the Build Canada Homes projects to these types of projects.

“When an MP hears directly from a constituent who lives and works in their riding, it resonates in a way no lobbyist ever could. That’s the enduring genius of PAC Days – local voices shaping national decisions,” said James Lorimer, CREA consultant and founding PAC Days organizer.

The first PAC Days in 1985 brought together about 100 association members to meet with 60 to 70 MPs. In 2024, more than 400 PAC reps from across Canada came together in Ottawa to meet with more than 120 MPs.

“For 40 years, PAC Days has shown the power of Realtors speaking with one voice. As we look ahead, that voice will be more important than ever in shaping policies that build more homes across the continuum, strengthen communities, and keep the pathway to homeownership within reach,” said Janice Myers, CREA CEO.

PAC Days programming features training, panels, educational sessions and speeches from experts.

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]]> https://realestatemagazine.ca/crea-celebrates-40-years-of-pac-days/feed/ 0 ‘I have never seen anything more deplorable’: Polan on RECO and iPro fallout https://realestatemagazine.ca/i-have-never-seen-anything-more-deplorable-polan-on-ipro-fallout/ https://realestatemagazine.ca/i-have-never-seen-anything-more-deplorable-polan-on-ipro-fallout/#respond Thu, 25 Sep 2025 09:04:20 +0000 https://realestatemagazine.ca/?p=40153 President Cathy Polan says OREA is not being complacent, but there are limits to what the association can do to bring justice to those affected by the iPro scandal.

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Below is a letter written by Ontario Real Estate Association (OREA) president Cathy Polan, which was sent to the association’s membership and obtained by Real Estate Magazine. 

 

I’ve been a Realtor for over 16 years, and in that time, I have never seen anything more deplorable than what I’ve seen happen with the Real Estate Council of Ontario (RECO) in the wake of the iPro Realty Ltd. scandal. Thousands of agents and consumers have been left without commissions, without deposits, and without a hope for the future.

I know you are all constantly receiving troubling information on this matter, and I am too. I am as angry and frustrated as you are. This should not have happened, and I will do everything in my power to ensure something like this never happens again.

Our members and those affected deserve to have answers and deserve retribution. OREA is having ongoing conversations with government officials and industry leaders calling for action to be taken to ensure the integrity of our industry is upheld. Though we do not have the authority to intervene directly on behalf of our members regarding this matter, we have taken every opportunity to engage RECO and the Government of Ontario in an effort to assist those affected and have to date released six public statements regarding this issue.

I want to assure you that OREA is in no way being complacent, but there are limits to what we can do. This matter is currently the subject of an ongoing police investigation, and is before the courts with an independent investigation being done by Dentons LLP, with ministerial oversight. That is why it is imperative that we let the professionals do what they need to do – in the sincere hope that justice will be done.

This situation has only further demonstrated the far-reaching impact that regulatory decisions can have on Ontario’s buyers, sellers, real estate professionals, and overall consumer confidence in the real estate market and industry. OREA will continue in our advocacy efforts with government to ensure that when it comes to ethics and consumer protections, both Realtors and Ontarians can have confidence in Ontario’s real estate market and its regulation – and we will continue to update members as we have more information to share.

I cannot undo what has been done, but moving forward, I promise to do everything I can to make sure that this never happens again.

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]]> https://realestatemagazine.ca/i-have-never-seen-anything-more-deplorable-polan-on-ipro-fallout/feed/ 0 CREA holds annual PAC Days conference where realtors advocate for housing crisis solutions https://realestatemagazine.ca/crea-holds-annual-pac-days-conference-where-realtors-advocate-for-housing-crisis-solutions/ https://realestatemagazine.ca/crea-holds-annual-pac-days-conference-where-realtors-advocate-for-housing-crisis-solutions/#respond Tue, 22 Oct 2024 04:01:46 +0000 https://realestatemagazine.ca/?p=35205 “It’s essential we strive together to advance effective policies that foster increased housing supply while ensuring affordability and accessibility across the entire housing continuum”

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This week, as part of its Political Action Committee (PAC) Days, the Canadian Real Estate Association (CREA) is hosting realtors from across Canada to meet with their local Members of Parliament to advocate for critical housing policies encouraging access to housing for all Canadians.

CREA notes that as realtors are experts on market conditions and consumer interests, they’re well-positioned to contribute to discussions around housing policy.

 

Much work still to be done

 

Though CREA has been working to encourage federal initiatives that address the ongoing housing supply crisis, the organization notes there’s still much work to be done with all levels of government and key stakeholders.

“It’s essential we strive together to advance effective policies that foster increased housing supply while ensuring affordability and accessibility for Canadians across the entire housing continuum,” says Janice Myers, CREA CEO.

 

This year’s housing policy & solution ideas

 

With housing demand increasing along with the country’s population, yet inventory and new construction not keeping pace, realtors are advocating for innovative solutions and policies to increase housing supply, such as emergency shelter and community housing, rental accommodation, homeownership and more.

This year, specific ideas include:

  • Stimulating supply across the housing continuum by embracing innovation through offsite construction technologies
  • Establishing a permanent mechanism to collaborate and coordinate housing policy and development, such as a national housing secretariat
  • Extending HST/GST relief for non-profit-built affordable ownership housing

 

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]]> https://realestatemagazine.ca/crea-holds-annual-pac-days-conference-where-realtors-advocate-for-housing-crisis-solutions/feed/ 0 Waterloo region developers collaborate to improve work with government and build more homes https://realestatemagazine.ca/waterloo-region-developers-collaborate-to-improve-work-with-government-and-build-more-homes/ https://realestatemagazine.ca/waterloo-region-developers-collaborate-to-improve-work-with-government-and-build-more-homes/#respond Thu, 30 May 2024 04:01:13 +0000 https://realestatemagazine.ca/?p=31458 With Waterloo’s expected population growth to 923,000 by 2051, changes are needed to increase the number of homes available for residents

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Over a dozen developers across the Waterloo region have collaborated to advocate for policies and initiatives to facilitate new home construction across the region.

The new Build Urban group represents a collective voice championing efficient land use, responsible growth and streamlined approval processes. It will work closely with municipal governments and stakeholders in the hope of overcoming barriers to construction and expediting the creation of new homes across the region.

So far, this has included key policy issues, including inclusionary zoning and planning frameworks around major transit station areas, with key insights, expertise and practical solutions to affordable housing, intensification and land use planning in the consultation process.

”We are in a housing crisis and collaboration between local governments, the development industry and other stakeholders is necessary to accelerate the construction of new homes,” says Melissa Durrell, CEO of Durrell Communications and spokesperson for Build Urban.

“The development industry possesses invaluable insights into the challenges and opportunities on the ground. By working together, we can find tangible solutions that address the urgent need for housing across our region.” 

 

Expected population growth means changes needed to increase homes available for residents

 

The region’s 10-year housing target is 70,000 new homes by 2031, which will require an average of just over 7,500 annual housing starts in Kitchener, Cambridge and Waterloo for the next eight years.

However, the tri-city municipalities have under 4,800 housing starts reported in 2023. The group notes that Waterloo’s expected population growth to 923,000 by 2051 means changes are needed to increase the number of homes available for residents. 

“Addressing the housing crisis requires an all-hands-on-deck approach,” says Durrell. “Build Urban is committed to helping the region reach these housing targets, providing expertise, evidence-based policy recommendations and support to ensure the necessary homes are built to accommodate a growing population.”

 

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