Each spring, Political Action Committee (PAC) representatives meet with their local Members of Parliament (MPs) to discuss policy recommendations from the REALTOR® community. We refer to this engagement as PAC at Home.
From April 3 to April 28, 2023, PAC reps from across the country met with MPs both in-person and virtually to discuss the Canadian Real Estate Association’s (CREA) REALTOR® recommendations, which were previously submitted ahead of the federal government’s 2023 budget, A Made-in-Canada Plan. As anticipated, the budget reiterated existing housing measures and investments previously announced in 2022. While existing investments are considerable, they’re not sufficient to address the current housing crisis.
This positioned PAC reps well, as they met with more than 50 MPs to discuss REALTOR® recommendations as the House of Commons began discussing the budget.
These recommendations included:
- Establishing a permanent National Housing Roundtable, bringing together federal, provincial/territorial, and municipal authorities along with builders, real estate professionals, Indigenous partners, and civil society organizations to address housing challenges through an inclusive, holistic and innovative approach while continuing to ensure federal infrastructure funding is leveraged to encourage the creation of more housing supply.
- Developing a cost-free, standardized, phased approach for EnerGuide labelling of homes not at time of sale. By doing so, the government will enable consumers to make informed decisions while ensuring consistency, so that Canadian homeowners are not faced with further affordability and supply challenges.
We know our voices are being heard, as housing policy has been a popular topic during this spring parliamentary session. However, our work isn’t done. We’re continuing to work collectively with boards, associations, and REALTORS® to present a unified approach and engage with the government to ensure REALTOR® positions are being heard.
Here are a few highlights from #PACatHome 2023:
From left to right: Arash Rezai (REBGV), Lisa Morris (REBGV), Hon. Jonathan Wilkinson, Harriet Permut (REBGV), and Mark Sakai (BCREA).
PAC at Home meeting with the Honourable Jonathan Wilkinson, MP North Vancouver, Minister of Natural Resources and members of the Real Estate Board of Greater Vancouver (REBGV) and British Columbia Real Estate Association (BCREA).
From left to right: Roy Milley (NSAR) and MP Mike Kelloway.
PAC at Home meeting with MP Mike Kelloway, Cape Breton-Canso, and a member of the Nova Scotia Association of REALTORS® (NSAR).
From left to right: Christal Moura (WRAR), Val Brooks (WRAR), MP Mike Morrice, Megan Bell (WRAR), and Ellie Davila (WRAR).
PAC at Home meeting with MP Mike Morrice, Kitchener Centre, and members of the Waterloo Region Association of REALTORS® (WRAR).
From top left to bottom right: Ron Abraham (TRREB), Nicolette Knight (TRREB), Kate Young (TRREB), and MP Judy Sgro.
PAC at Home meeting with MP Judy Sgro, Humber River-Black Creek, and members of the Toronto Regional Real Estate Board (TRREB).
From left to right, Nate Lollar (KAREA), MP Mark Gerretsen, Colleen Emmerson (KAREA), Kiara Vallier (KAREA), Mary Ambrose (KAREA), and Matt Thibault (KAREA).
PAC at Home meeting with MP Mark Gerretsen, Kingston and the Islands, and the Kingston and Area Real Estate Association (KAREA).
From left to right: Nic von Bredow (RAHB), Crystal Henderson (RAHB), Hon. Karina Gould, Amanda Stringer (RAHB) and Lou Piriano, (RAHB).
PAC at Home meeting with the Honourable Karina Gould, MP for Burlington, Minister of Families, Children and Social Development and members of the REALTORS® Association of Hamilton-Burlington (RAHB).
