Canadian REALTOR® Community Gears Up to Advocate for Housing for All
Hundreds meet in Ottawa this week.
The Canadian Real Estate Association (CREA) is pleased to welcome Political Action Committee (PAC) representatives to Ottawa, Ontario, for the 41st annual CREA PAC Days! Taking place October 18-20, 2026, hundreds of REALTORS® are already on their way to the nation’s capital ready to make an impact.
Whether we’ll see you there or not, here’s what REALTORS® should know about this year’s event.
Jump Ahead
What REALTORS® are advocating for
REALTORS® will be advocating for two recommendations.
REALTOR® Recommendation No. 1: Expand Mortgage Loan Insurance to Address Middle Housing Supply and Ownership Options
Add a fourth scoring category to MLI Select for missing-middle rental supply, and establish a new sibling program, MLI Select–Ownership, applying the same proven points-based model to ownership-tenured housing, with a mandatory pillar for missing-middle supply.
REALTOR® Recommendation No. 2: Reform Income Verification Rules to Reflect how Canadians Actually Earn Money
The Office of the Superintendent of Financial Institutions (OSFI) should set clear rules so lenders can verify and count real income, however it's earned, so self-employed, contract and multi-source borrowers aren't forced into a paycheque-shaped box.
How to have a successful meeting
If you’ve been selected as a PAC representative and will be meeting with an MP or a member of their staff, here are a few considerations to ensure a successful meeting.
- Review your MP meeting date(s) and time(s) before heading to Parliament Hill on the REALTOR® Action Network (RAN). Meeting times are subject to change, and often do. Make sure you’re double checking. If you need help, visit the MP meetings booth at PAC Days or speak with a member of CREA’s Government Relations team.
- Review the Parliament of Canada’s Plan Your Visit webpage to find security/restriction measures, accessibility info, and more. Arrive 30 minutes before your meetings for security screenings as lines are common. Follow Parliamentary Protective Service (PPS) officers’ directions and be patient. Most importantly, don’t forget your ID!
- Be ready to advocate! PAC Days is your opportunity to share REALTOR® perspectives directly with decision makers. Review the provided materials in advance so you can make your message clear and impactful.
- Don’t be afraid to ask for a picture at an appropriate time and share it on social media using #CREAPAC26 (and tag your MP’s account). If there’s one thing any good politician understands, it’s a photo op!
- Remember to leave behind an MP Booklet.
Bonus: Invite your MP and their staff to the PAC Days Parliamentary Reception at Queen St. Fare on October 19 at 5:30 p.m.
Most importantly, remember to thank the MP’s staff for helping to organize your meeting, and be courteous and respectful of any questions they may have. The staff are there to facilitate your meeting and your interactions with them are key to fostering long-term relationships with the office.
Program highlights
In addition to meeting with key government stakeholders, participants will hear from a jam-packed lineup of speakers, including three notable keynotes.
Lyse Doucet: A view from the front lines.
Award-winning broadcaster and author Lyse Doucet brings decades of experience reporting from the centre of major global events. As Canada looks to deepen relationships with international trade partners and navigate a changing global landscape, Doucet’s perspective as a Canadian based in London, England offers a unique lens looking beyond Canada's border to better understand the geopolitical forces shaping the world and Canada’s evolving role within it.
Dr. Andrew Boozary: A prescription for housing?
Dr. Boozary advocates for treating housing as a critical health intervention, rather than simply a social service. He brings a compelling perspective on the connection between housing and health, and how housing attainability and affordability affect Canadians’ overall well-being; and
Kirsten Hillman: Navigating a changing relationship.
As Canada’s former Ambassador to the United States, Hillman is one of Canada’s foremost experts on trade, diplomacy and international affairs. She will offer an insider’s look at the forces reshaping global trade and the Canada-U.S. relationship.
Download the event app
From the PAC Days program, live notifications, to the post-event survey, download the event app to stay in the know.
Multiplying impact through CREA’s REALTORS Care® Day
On Tuesday, October 20, following CREA PAC Days programming, attendees will have the opportunity to roll up their sleeves and volunteer during CREA’s REALTORS Care® Day!
Volunteers will lend a helping hand in Ottawa’s downtown core, supporting community members living in social housing through a partnership with Ottawa Community Housing (OCH).
OCH, a member of the Canadian Housing and Renewal Association (CHRA) and a key Housing Canada Coalition partner, is Ottawa’s largest community housing provider with approximately 33,000 tenants and a key funder and maintenance partner for community resource centres that serve vulnerable residents across Ottawa.
Registration will be available onsite at the REALTORS Care® booth throughout CREA PAC Days. PAC Reps scheduled with MP meetings on Tuesday afternoon will be notified of the conflict Tuesday morning. MP meetings take priority.
Amplify impact, stay connected
CREA will be sharing live coverage of CREA PAC Days on social media throughout the event. Follow along and share your own journey using #CREAPAC26.
Safe travels and we look forward to seeing you in Ottawa!
