In April 2017, the Government of Ontario announced Ontario’s Fair Housing Plan, comprised of 16 new housing measures. As part of the Housing Plan, many of the measures focused on the rental-housing market and introduced Bill 124, the Rental Fairness Act, 2017. Ontario recently announced new rules pertaining to evictions. Effective, September 1st, 2017, when … Continued
In May 2017, the Ministry of Labour released the final report of their Changing Workplaces Review and introduced legislation to create Bill 148, Fair Workplaces, Better Jobs Act, 2017. Within the proposed legislation, OREA has significant concern regarding the planned increase of the minimum wage. Since 2010, Ontario’s minimum wage has increased by 12 percent. … Continued
The Ontario Real Estate Association (OREA) today announced that Larissa Smit has joined OREA’s growing Government Relations team. “OREA is looking to strengthen our REALTOR® voice at Queen’s Park by enhancing the Association’s real estate and housing research capabilities. Larissa’s wealth of knowledge and experience will help OREA promote the Canadian dream of home ownership,” … Continued
Last year, when the British Columbia government made knee-jerk decisions targeted at the real estate profession, the Ontario Real Estate Association (OREA) took action to ensure that this scenario would not happen here. Our government relations team, led by CEO Tim Hudak, President Ettore Cardarelli and GRC Chair John Oddi, proactively held targeted meetings with … Continued
The Government Relations team is excited to announce the appointment of John Oddi as Chair of OREA’s 2017-2018 Government Relations Committee. Mr. Oddi, will be leading some of OREA’s most important files, including; stopping the implementation of a mandatory energy audit scheme, and promoting affordable home ownership. “Ontario’s 70,000 REALTORS® are lucky to have John … Continued
Today, Markham City Council will be debating a motion calling on the Ontario government to introduce a foreign buyer’s tax. Please see the attached joint open letter from the Ontario Real Estate Association (OREA) and the Toronto Real Estate Board (TREB) to Markham Mayor Frank Scarpitti. Also below is a statement for publication from OREA … Continued
A new initiative has been launched that aims to enhance the advocacy efforts of the Ontario Real Estate Association (OREA) so that the REALTOR® voice is heard loud and clear in government circles. The REALTOR® Advocacy Project, also known as RAP, will focus on government relations and is a strategy to implement and lead lobbying … Continued
The Ontario Real Estate Association (OREA) and the Toronto Real Estate Board (TREB) met with Premier Kathleen Wynne today to discuss housing affordability and other real estate issues affecting Ontarians. Realtors are encouraged by Premier Wynne’s commitment to helping more young Ontarians become home owners. “We discussed a range of solutions to help with home … Continued
OREA’s government relations team is excited to welcome PAC delegates later this month to our annual Political Affairs Conference (PAC). PAC welcomes politically active Realtors® to help them deepen their understanding of political issues and encourage Realtor® participation in the political process. Most importantly, Realtor® delegates meet with MPPs to discuss Realtor® issues and … Continued
Last week, Premier Wynne released all of her ministers’ mandate letters. Beginning in 2014, she is the first premier to make these letters public. This was done with the intention of creating more openness, accountability and to reiterate the government’s commitments. The letters highlight the government’s commitment to growing jobs and the economy, investing in … Continued