The Electronic Commerce Amendment Act, 2012 was introduced in the Ontario Legislature May 17. If passed, the legislation would facilitate the use of electronic agreements of purchase and sale by extending the legal protections afforded by the Electronic Commerce Act, 2000. At present, the Act excludes electronic documents, including agreements of purchase and sale, that [...]
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Ontario and national housing market improves in 2012
The Ontario market has picked up this April in comparison to the same time last year. According to the Canadian Real Estate Association (CREA), there were 22, 908 homes sold in 2012, up 12.4 per cent from 20,381 units last year. The average home price grew by 7.7 per cent, from $369,315 in 2011 to [...]
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Strong housing starts in April
Ontario residential activity in April is running stronger than predicted. The Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC) reported 95,400 residential housing starts across Ontario’s urban centres, up from 85,000 units in March. A significant growth was noted in the areas outside of the GTA. Ontario housing starts for April are running 30 per cent [...]
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Ontario by-election could produce a majority government
Ontario’s political landscape could change after long-serving Progressive Conservative (PC) MPP Elizabeth Witmer resigned her Kitchener-Waterloo seat April 27. As a result, a by-election has to take place in the riding within six months. If the Ontario Liberals win the seat, it would give the McGuinty minority government a de facto majority. They would occupy [...]
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Ontario deficit lower than expected
Ontario Finance Minister Dwight Duncan announced Wednesday April 25 that the province’s deficit is projected to be $15 billion in 2011-12, down from $15.3 billion. The government is expecting to have a $500 million surplus by 2017-18. There are two reasons for the better than expected financial outlook. First, Minister Duncan credited the federal budget [...]
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Ontario government announces changes to Wireless Services Agreements
Ontario Consumer Services Minister Margarett Best announced the introduction of the bill in the Ontario Legislature that promises to force providers to simplify costs of wireless services and be more “upfront” with users. Ontario is following Quebec, Manitoba and Newfoundland in developing the legislation. If voted into law, the Wireless Service Agreement would: • Cap [...]
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Ontario to consolidate two energy agencies
On April 18 the Ontario government announced its plan to merge two of Ontario’s large electricity agencies. Follow the link to see a press release. Energy Minister Chris Bentley argued that the merger of Ontario Power Authority (OPA) and the Independent Electricity System Operator (IESO) would save Ontario ratepayers about $25 million a year [...]
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OREA launches Real Estate Roundtable
The Real Estate Roundtable (RER) is one of OREA’s newest initiatives to improve its advocacy efforts on behalf of REALTORS®. OREA has organized a stakeholder group to meet regularly in order to encourage better information sharing and collaboration on government relations issues between housing/real estate industry stakeholders. The first meeting took place on March 9. [...]
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OREA Presents to Finance Committee in Support of Healthy Homes Reno Tax Credit
On April 5, Pat Verge, OREA’s Government Relations Committee Chair, made a presentation to the Ontario Standing Committee on Finance and Economic Affairs in support of Bill 2, Healthy Homes Renovations Tax Credit Act, 2012. If passed, the Bill will create a new permanent, refundable personal income tax credit for seniors who modify their homes [...]
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OREA announces new chair of Government Relations Committee
OREA President Ron Abraham has appointed Patricia Verge as the 2012/13 Chair of the Government Relations Committee. In addition to her new role, Pat will serve her second year as OREA’s provincial director for Eastern Ontario. Pat is a broker with Royal LePage Team Realty with over 30 years’ experience in the profession and a [...]
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A Word about Government Relations
Welcome to the Government Relations section of the OREA Blog. This section will provide you with information and news on OREA’s government relations activities as well as the latest happenings around Queen’s Park.
Patricia Verge, Chair of Government Relations Committee
