
CREA Café Blog
We advocate for a legislative and regulatory environment that enables REALTORS® to better serve Canadian homeowners, aspiring homeowners and communities.
When issues arise that affect housing, property rights or the real estate sector, CREA engages elected officials and government to discuss solutions and make recommendations on behalf of REALTORS®. Ahead of any federal budget, we formally advise the government on improvements to fiscal policy that can encourage responsible economic growth.
REALTORS® are real estate experts who know their markets and communities. They are entrepreneurs and business owners, community champions and an integral part of the Canadian economy.
With more than 150,000 members, REALTORS® make up one of the largest single industry associations in Canada and are drivers of our economy. In 2018 alone, resale housing transactions through Canadian MLS® Systems generated an estimated $32 billion in spin-off consumer spending and more than 234,000 jobs.
REALTORS® play meaningful roles in the communities where they work and live. They are committed to volunteering their time and raising funds for the causes and charities close to their hearts. Between 2012 and 2017, the Canadian REALTOR® community reported giving more than $131.1 million in donations to deserving organizations.
Over the past several decades, the REALTOR® community has achieved many accomplishments that help REALTORS®, homeowners and home buyers and sellers across Canada.
In politics, just as in real estate, impressions last long after a deal closes. We strive to maintain open, honest and respectful dialogue with the federal government. The main mechanism for this is the PAC Network: created in 1985 to allow REALTORS® to actively engage their elected representatives. PAC includes the President and Executive Officer of all real estate boards and associations, one or more “PAC Reps” appointed by each, and current members of the CREA Board of Directors. PAC Reps work to relay important regional concerns to CREA, while keeping their local Members of Parliament (MP) aware of major national issues affecting the real estate industry, and regularly briefing their board or association on federal developments.
PAC Days is the culmination of CREA’s government relations efforts over the course of the year. This event, held annually on Parliament Hill in Ottawa, allows REALTORS® to speak directly to Members of Parliament about issues that affect homeowners and the real estate industry.
The REALTOR® Action Network (RAN) is our grassroots tool to connect REALTORS®, board and associations with federal government decision makers. Like real estate, “all politics is local”, too – meaning Members of Parliament (MPs) are listening to and focusing on what is being said by their constituents. This gives REALTORS® an opportunity to be a part of the political process and speak with a collective and amplified voice about the issues facing their communities.
Over the course of the pandemic, we’ve maintained regular dialogue with federal government departments and agencies in regard to COVID-19 and its impact on REALTORS®. At the beginning of the pandemic and in response to our calls for significant action, the federal government responded with measures ensuring broad support for individuals and businesses.
REALTORS® are in the business of helping Canadians find homes, and across the country, these real estate experts know the ins and outs of the markets they work in. As such, it should come as no surprise that the effects of climate change are known to our members. In October 2020, we submitted an application for a position on the Sustainable Development Advisory Council on behalf of Chris Chopik.