Canadian Real Estate Association Unveils Dynamic 2025-2026 Board of Directors with Valerie Paquin at the Helm

Ottawa, Ontario – April 8, 2025 marked a pivotal moment for the Canadian real estate sector as the Canadian Real Estate Association (CREA) held its Annual General Meeting (AGM), ushering in a new era of leadership. At this significant gathering in the nation’s capital, CREA proudly announced the installation of Valerie Paquin as the Chair of its 2025-2026 Board of Directors. This strategic appointment signals a renewed focus on experienced leadership and a deep commitment to the evolving needs of real estate professionals and consumers across Canada.

The Annual General Meeting is more than just a procedural event; it is a foundational pillar of CREA’s governance, where strategic directions are affirmed, accountability is upheld, and the collective vision for the Canadian real estate landscape is articulated. The installation of a new Board of Directors, especially its Chair, is a defining moment that sets the tone and priorities for the upcoming term, directly influencing policies, advocacy efforts, and member services that impact thousands of real estate agents and brokers nationwide.

Valerie Paquin: A Visionary Leader to Guide CREA Forward

Valerie Paquin brings a wealth of experience and a robust track record of dedication to her new role as CREA Chair. Hailing from Blainville, Quebec, Paquin is a distinguished Realtor and broker-manager, whose professional journey is marked by a profound understanding of both the intricacies of local markets and the broader national real estate ecosystem. Her career has been characterized by consistent leadership and an unwavering commitment to professional excellence, making her an ideal choice to lead CREA during a period of dynamic change and opportunity.

Prior to assuming the chairmanship, Paquin demonstrated her leadership capabilities through various capacities. She served diligently on numerous committees for the Greater Montreal Real Estate Board, which has since evolved into the Quebec Professional Association of Real Estate Brokers. Her contributions to these regional bodies provided invaluable insights into specific market dynamics and member needs within one of Canada’s most vibrant provinces. Furthermore, her extensive involvement with CREA committees, where she held chair positions on multiple occasions, underscores her deep institutional knowledge and her ability to navigate complex issues at a national level. This comprehensive background equips her with a unique perspective, blending grassroots experience with strategic foresight essential for effective leadership.

Beyond her professional achievements, Paquin is widely recognized for her steadfast commitment to volunteerism. As highlighted by CREA in a recent news release, her dedication extends both within and outside the real estate industry. This ethos of giving back and serving the community aligns perfectly with CREA’s values, emphasizing the importance of ethical practice, social responsibility, and collective progress. Her leadership is expected to inspire greater engagement and collaboration among members, fostering a stronger, more cohesive real estate community in Canada. Her vision for the upcoming term is anticipated to focus on empowering real estate professionals, enhancing consumer trust, and advocating for policies that support a healthy and sustainable housing market nationwide.

CREA’s Executive Leadership: A Foundation of Experience

Valerie Paquin will be joined by a distinguished team of officers who will collectively steer CREA’s strategic initiatives for the 2025-2026 term. This executive cohort represents a blend of seasoned expertise and a deep commitment to the real estate profession, ensuring continuity and robust leadership. The officers include Garry Bhaura, who steps into the vital role of Chair-Elect, preparing to assume the chairmanship in the subsequent term. Darin Germyn will serve as Vice-Chair, bringing his insights and leadership to support the Chair and the board’s objectives. Providing invaluable continuity and institutional wisdom is James Mabey, who assumes the position of Immediate Past Chair. This carefully structured leadership team ensures a smooth transition of responsibilities, allowing for long-term strategic planning and consistent oversight of CREA’s mission.

Each of these officers plays a critical role in the governance and operational success of CREA. The Chair-Elect is pivotal in preparing for future leadership, ensuring a thorough understanding of the organization’s strategic goals and operational challenges. The Vice-Chair supports the Chair in all capacities, often leading specific initiatives and representing CREA at various forums. The Immediate Past Chair provides a crucial link to previous terms, offering historical context, strategic continuity, and mentorship to the incoming leadership. Together, this executive team forms the core of CREA’s governance, working collaboratively to advance the interests of its members and the broader Canadian real estate market.

A Diverse and Representative Board of Directors

The strength of the Canadian Real Estate Association lies in its diverse and regionally representative Board of Directors. The 2025-2026 board has been thoughtfully constituted to reflect the varied demographics, unique market conditions, and distinct professional needs of real estate professionals across Canada’s vast geography. This ensures that national policies and initiatives are informed by local realities, leading to more effective advocacy and member support.

The full roster of the 2025-2026 Board of Directors includes:

Anthony Bastiaanssen, Regional Director, British Columbia/Yukon: Representing the dynamic and often high-value markets of Canada’s westernmost province and northern territory, Bastiaanssen’s role is crucial in articulating the challenges and opportunities specific to this region, from urban centers to remote communities.
Sarah Johnston, Regional Director, Alberta/Northwest Territories: Johnston brings insights from the energy-driven economy of Alberta and the unique northern markets, ensuring that issues like resource sector impact on housing and remote property management are addressed.
Kourosh Doustshenas, Regional Director, Manitoba: Doustshenas provides a vital perspective from the prairie provinces, focusing on the stable yet evolving real estate landscape, including agricultural land values and urban development in Winnipeg.
Avril Reifferscheid, Regional Director, Saskatchewan: Reifferscheid’s representation ensures that the distinct characteristics of Saskatchewan’s market, often tied to agriculture and natural resources, are well understood within national strategies.
Winson Chan, Regional Director, Ontario: Representing Canada’s largest and most diverse real estate market, Chan’s role is critical in addressing complex issues like housing affordability, rapid market changes, and dense urban development in Ontario’s vast metropolitan areas.
Daniel Dagenais, Regional Director, Quebec: Dagenais brings expertise from Quebec’s unique civil law system and vibrant cultural context, ensuring that CREA’s efforts are harmonized with the province’s specific real estate regulations and market trends.
Chris Peters, Regional Director, Atlantic: Peters represents the distinct markets of the Atlantic provinces, which often face different economic drivers and housing trends, emphasizing issues like coastal properties, tourism impacts, and regional migration patterns.
Linnea Vandenberghe, Regional Director, Atlantic: As another representative from the Atlantic region, Vandenberghe reinforces the importance of this area, providing a broader base of knowledge and advocacy for its diverse local markets, from bustling Halifax to quaint coastal towns.

In addition to these regional representatives, the board is strengthened by Directors-at-Large, who bring broader industry expertise and strategic perspectives not tied to specific geographical regions:

David Brown, Director-at-Large
David Oikle, Director-at-Large
Luc Woolsey, Director-at-Large
Phil Moore, Director-at-Large

These Directors-at-Large play a crucial role in providing diverse viewpoints, specialized knowledge, and an overarching strategic lens that complements the regional insights. Their contributions ensure that CREA’s decisions are well-rounded, considering macro-economic trends, technological advancements, and the evolving professional landscape impacting all members, regardless of their location.

CREA’s Mandate and the Board’s Strategic Impact

The Canadian Real Estate Association stands as the leading voice for real estate professionals in Canada, dedicated to fostering a robust, ethical, and thriving real estate market. Its core mandate encompasses several critical areas: advocacy for property owners and real estate professionals, upholding rigorous professional standards, providing valuable market data and insights, and offering tools and services that empower its members. The newly installed 2025-2026 Board of Directors, under Valerie Paquin’s leadership, is poised to significantly advance these objectives.

This board faces a dynamic and evolving real estate landscape, characterized by challenges such as housing affordability, fluctuating interest rates, the imperative of sustainable development, and the rapid pace of technological innovation. Their collective expertise will be instrumental in guiding CREA’s responses to these issues. They will champion policy changes that support both buyers and sellers, work to enhance the professional development of Realtors, and ensure that CREA remains at the forefront of market analysis and consumer protection. The board’s strategic oversight will ensure that CREA continues to provide invaluable resources, from the MLS^® System to sophisticated market intelligence, benefiting over 160,000 real estate professionals across the country.

Commitment to Community and Professional Excellence

Valerie Paquin’s profound commitment to volunteerism is more than a personal trait; it is a reflection of the ethos that CREA strives to embody. This dedication to service, both within the real estate industry and in broader community initiatives, underscores the belief that professional success is inextricably linked to societal well-being. Under her leadership, CREA is expected to reinforce its commitment to fostering a culture of ethics, integrity, and social responsibility among its members.

The board will likely prioritize initiatives that support professional development, enhance public trust in real estate transactions, and encourage members to actively contribute to their local communities. This includes promoting best practices in environmental sustainability, advocating for fair housing policies, and supporting charitable endeavors that address housing-related challenges. By cultivating a strong sense of community and shared purpose, CREA aims to elevate the standing of the real estate profession and ensure that its members are not only successful entrepreneurs but also conscientious citizens.

Looking Ahead: Opportunities and Strategic Direction

As the 2025-2026 term commences, the new Board of Directors, led by Chair Valerie Paquin, will undoubtedly focus on key strategic priorities designed to navigate the future of Canadian real estate. These priorities are expected to include leveraging technology to enhance member services and consumer experience, advocating for policies that promote housing supply and affordability, and adapting to global economic shifts that impact local markets. The board will empower real estate professionals with the tools, training, and support necessary to thrive in an increasingly competitive and digital landscape.

Furthermore, attention will be given to fostering innovation, encouraging sustainable practices, and ensuring that CREA’s advocacy efforts effectively represent the diverse interests of its members on Parliament Hill and with provincial regulatory bodies. The collective wisdom and leadership of this board will be crucial in steering CREA through anticipated challenges and capitalizing on emerging opportunities, ultimately reinforcing the association’s role as a leading voice for Canadian real estate.

Conclusion

The installation of Valerie Paquin as Chair and the new 2025-2026 Board of Directors marks an exciting and promising chapter for the Canadian Real Estate Association. With a team that boasts extensive experience, regional diversity, and a shared commitment to professional excellence and community service, CREA is exceptionally well-positioned to address the complex dynamics of the Canadian real estate market. This leadership ensemble is poised to champion the interests of real estate professionals and consumers alike, ensuring the continued growth, integrity, and vibrancy of the real estate sector across Canada. The Canadian real estate community looks forward with optimism to the strategic vision and dedicated leadership that this new board will undoubtedly provide.