Past Successes
Our Political Action Committee (PAC) Network has made pivotal contributions to REALTORS’® many lobbying successes.
A Voice for REALTORS® on Parliament Hill
Our Government Relations team, Political Action Committee (PAC), and PAC Reps all play pivotal roles in representing the interests of REALTORS® and Canadians to the government. Over the last four decades, we’ve achieved many advocacy milestones, from a first-time home buyers tax credit, helping implement changes to Employment Insurance for the self-employed, to expanding the Home Buyers’ Plan, which has been used by more than three million families.
A Brief Overview of Our Accomplishments
1985
1985—PAC Network
The first PAC Days is organized. About 100 PAC Reps meet their Members of Parliament (MPs) in Ottawa.
1992
1992—Home Buyers’ Plan
After three years of successive lobbying, the government introduces the Home Buyers’ Plan (HBP), which has since helped millions of Canadians purchase a home.
2000
2000—Tackling Money Laundering
With the introduction of the Proceeds of Crime (Money Laundering) Act, CREA consults officials on real estate transactions and how to minimize the regulatory burden on REALTORS®.
2009
2009—Housing Budget
We successfully advocate to raise the Home Buyers’ Plan (HBP) withdrawal limit to $25,000, plus the Home Renovation Tax Credit and the First Time Home Buyers’ Tax Credit are introduced.
2012-2014
2012-2014—Building Financial Literacy
Working with the Financial Consumer Agency of Canada (FCAC), we create the Home Buyers’ Road Map and a series of videos to help Canadians better understand the financial implications of homeownership.
2018
2018—Small Business Tax
The government responds positively to our recommendations to ensure tax rules for small businesses will not harm hardworking REALTORS®.
2018-2019
2018-2019—Drones
We work with Transport Canada to help make it easier for REALTORS® to use drones to showcase their clients’ properties.
2019
2019—Housing Budget
The government includes several measures in its latest budget to help Canadians reach homeownership. The HBP withdrawal limit is raised to $35,000.
2020
2020—COVID-19 Support
We work with the government to introduce and enhance COVID-19 support programs.
2020-2021
2020-2021—Green Home Initiatives
Lobbying by REALTORS® results in energy efficient home improvement grants, EnerGuide assessments, and interest-free deep home retrofit loans.
2021
2021—#REALideas
Housing is a hot topic on the 2021 Federal Election campaign trail. CREA develops #REALideas to help address housing affordability and supply.
2023
2023—Foreign Buyer Ban Amendments
After lobbying for changes to the Act since it was first announced, the government makes key amendments.
2023
2023—FINTRAC Cost Recovery Framework
As a result of strong, behind the scenes lobbying, REALTORS® will not be required to financially contribute to FINTRAC's cost recovery framework.
2024
2024—Canada Housing Plan
As a leading voice behind the need for more supply, the federal government announced the Canada Housing Plan with a target of 3.87 million homes by 2031, created the Canada Housing Infrastructure Fund, and announced 30-year insured mortgages for first-time buyers of newly built homes.
2025
2025—Launch of Build Canada Homes (BCH)
Lobbying by REALTORS® for innovation in homebuilding resulted in the launch of Build Canada Homes (BCH), supported by a $1.5 billion top-up to the Affordable Housing Fund.