REALTORS® Bring Housing Recommendations to Parliament Hill During PAC Days 2026
For more than 40 years, REALTORS® have gathered annually in Ottawa, Ontario, for the Canadian Real Estate Association’s (CREA) Political Action Committee (PAC) Days.
This year, from October 18-20, 2026, REALTORS® gathered for PAC Days 2026 where they heard from housing and economic experts, journalists, political strategists, and elected officials. They also built new connections with colleagues from across Canada and took two policy recommendations to their local Members of Parliament (MPs) on Parliament Hill. With more than 140 meetings with MPs, this year’s PAC Days was undoubtably a success.
Here’s a breakdown of how the conference unfolded.
Jump Ahead
What REALTORS® advocated for
PAC Reps from across Canada presented CREA’s two research-based REALTOR® Recommendations to government stakeholders, with the shared goal of improving access to attainable housing in Canada.
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.
Beyond building relationships with their local MPs, PAC Reps shared detailed reports outlining the research and reasoning behind CREA’s recommendations, helping inform ongoing discussions about solutions to Canada’s housing challenges.
Day 1: Gearing up to make a splash
The event started out with a warm welcome from Darin Germyn, Chair of CREA’s Federal Affairs Committee and CREA Chair-Elect, and Elder Claudette Commanda of the Kitigan Zibi Anishinabeg First Nation, who delivered a land acknowledgment and traditional welcome.
We then welcomed our first of three keynote speakers, Lyse Doucet, award-winning international broadcaster. In Doucet’s address, she spoke about the connection to one’s home around the world, underlining how important safe, secure housing is. Her keynote was coloured by her breadth of experience with cultures across the globe, but one line stood out: “It’s not just Canada, it is now a global crisis of people’s desire to have a home.”
We also presented the Outstanding PAC Team awards to two deserving real estate boards/associations: Central Lakes Association of REALTORS® (large board) and New Brunswick REALTORS® du Nouveau-Brunswick (medium board).
Other Day 1 highlights included our always-popular media panels, presentations on CREA’s REALTOR® Recommendations, and an MP meeting training session led by Tim Hudak, Partner at Counsel Public Affairs.
With nearly a third of PAC Reps at this year’s event attending for the first time, CREA hosted a special social to welcome newcomers. The day ended with a reception for all attendees, where they had an opportunity to connect and learn from colleagues from coast-to-coast.
Day 2: Research, bold ideas, and politics
David Coletto, Founder & CEO of Abacus Data, kicked off Day 2, sharing insights from his latest research with CREA on Canadians’ attitudes toward housing and homeownership. His findings revealed that 74% of Canadians believe housing is unaffordable, underscoring the need for more diverse housing options, including missing middle housing, to help address affordability challenges across the country.
Attendees also heard from representatives of Canada’s two major federal political parties: the Honourable Wayne Long, Secretary of State (Canada Revenue Agency and Financial Institutions) and Kyle Seeback, MP for Dufferin-Caledon. Both shared their party’s perspectives on the housing crisis and its connections to infrastructure, labour shortages, climate change and economic productivity.
Our second keynote, Dr. Andrew Boozary, founding executive director of the Gattuso Centre for Social Medicine at University Health Network, spoke about the connection of housing and health, and how historical precedents informed the work he has initiated in Toronto, Ontario. He shared data about how his team’s ‘unconventional’ interventions have made a real impact, inspiring listeners with what’s possible.
Day 3: End of an event, beginning of an impact
On Day 3, we were joined by MPs Jenny Kwan, Jasraj Singh Hallan, and Jennifer McKelvie, who joined our midterm report card panel, sharing perspectives from across party lines.
Continuing with political guests, attendees then heard from Avi Lewis, Leader of the NDP, who discussed his party’s path forward, along with personal stories about his connection to housing and real estate.
As PAC Days 2026 came to a close, attendees heard from Kirsten Hillman, Canada’s former Ambassador to the United States, who drew on her diplomatic experience to share insights into Canada’s political and economic landscape and offer her perspectives on the future of Canada-U.S. relations.
Thank you to everyone who attended for another memorable and impactful event! While PAC Days 2026 may be over, the impact made by attendees will be seen in the months and years to come as REALTOR® advocates continue to push for attainable housing for everyone.
To learn more about our recommendations and the policy research behind them, you can review our PAC resources at CREA.ca/MP.
If you’re interested in becoming a PAC Rep and joining us in Ottawa next year, talk with your board or association. For ongoing federal affairs updates, please visit REALTORActionNetwork.ca.
