Re: Is it time for CREA to hire a lobbyist?

Championing Canadian Homeownership: CREA’s Effective and Transparent Advocacy in Action

The Canadian Real Estate Association (CREA) is committed to fostering a healthy and vibrant housing market across Canada. Our mission is to represent the interests of more than 160,000 REALTORS® and, by extension, the millions of Canadians who buy and sell homes. Effective advocacy is not merely an option for an organization of our scale; it is a fundamental pillar of our operation, ensuring that the voice of real estate professionals and consumers is heard in the halls of power. It is in this spirit of transparency and commitment that we address recent misconceptions regarding CREA’s lobbying efforts and impact.

Claims that suggest a lack of sophisticated advocacy or insufficient engagement are far from the truth. The reality of modern advocacy is a complex, continuous process involving deep policy analysis, strategic engagement, and robust communication, far removed from the simplistic image of casual social gatherings. Our approach is professional, data-driven, and focused on tangible outcomes that benefit the Canadian housing sector and the broader economy.

Demystifying Real Estate Advocacy: Setting the Record Straight on CREA’s Efforts

Let’s clarify some common misperceptions about how CREA operates and interacts with policymakers. The notion that our advocacy primarily involves hosting “cocktail parties” is simply erroneous. While building relationships is a part of any engagement strategy, our core work is grounded in substantive policy development and direct, impactful communication with government officials.

Beyond Superficial Gatherings: The Reality of Professional Advocacy

At CREA, our advocacy work is rigorous and research-intensive. It involves in-depth economic analysis of housing trends, detailed policy proposals, and expert consultations. Our team of professionals dedicates countless hours to understanding the intricacies of federal legislation and its potential impact on homebuyers, sellers, and REALTORS®. We don’t host cocktail parties as a primary means of influence; instead, we engage in serious discussions, provide comprehensive briefings, and present well-researched arguments directly to Members of Parliament, Senators, and senior government staff. This includes formal meetings, committee appearances, and the submission of detailed position papers, all aimed at shaping policies that truly matter to Canadians.

Shaping Responsible Regulation: CREA’s FINTRAC Engagement

One critical area where CREA demonstrates its unwavering commitment to responsible governance is in our extensive engagement with the Financial Transactions and Reports Analysis Centre of Canada (FINTRAC). Far from being disengaged, CREA has made over a dozen comprehensive submissions on FINTRAC-related issues. These submissions are not mere formalities; they represent diligent efforts to ensure that anti-money laundering regulations are effective in combating illicit financial activities without creating undue burdens for legitimate real estate transactions or for the REALTORS® who facilitate them. Our objective is always to strike a balance: upholding the integrity of the Canadian financial system while protecting the interests of consumers and maintaining an efficient, accessible housing market. We regularly engage with FINTRAC and relevant government departments to provide insights from the front lines of the real estate industry, advocating for practical, implementable solutions that serve the public interest.

Navigating Market Challenges: Our Stance on the Mortgage Stress Test

Another significant area of continuous advocacy for CREA is the mortgage stress test. Since its inception, we have consistently advocated for a thoughtful review and potential adjustments to this policy, which has had a profound impact on housing affordability and access for many Canadians. Our advocacy on the stress test is not a one-off effort; it is an ongoing campaign rooted in extensive research into its effects on first-time homebuyers, existing homeowners, and the broader housing market dynamics. We have presented compelling evidence and practical recommendations to policymakers, highlighting the need for a mechanism that ensures financial stability without unnecessarily sidelining qualified buyers. Our submissions and regular dialogue with government and regulatory bodies aim to ensure that while prudential measures are important, they do not inadvertently create barriers to homeownership or stifle healthy market activity. This persistent advocacy underscores our commitment to a balanced and accessible housing market for all Canadians.

CREA’s Elite Lobbying Prowess: A Force for Positive Change in Canadian Housing

The efficacy of CREA’s advocacy is not just anecdotal; it is a matter of public record and expert assessment. Our organization is consistently ranked among the top 100 lobbyists in Canada. Considering there are currently some 9,000 registered federal lobbyists across a multitude of industries, this ranking is a testament to the professionalism, influence, and effectiveness of our advocacy team. This achievement reflects our strategic approach, our robust research capabilities, and our ability to clearly articulate the needs and concerns of the real estate sector to government decision-makers. It signifies that our voice carries significant weight in Ottawa, enabling us to drive meaningful policy changes.

A Track Record of Influence: Quantifying Our Advocacy Success

Our impact is not confined to rankings; it translates directly into policy successes that benefit Canadians. In the last federal election, for example, both the Liberal and Conservative parties independently incorporated CREA’s key policy “asks” into their official platforms. This bipartisan adoption of our recommendations speaks volumes about the universality and practical appeal of our housing policy solutions. It demonstrates that our proposals resonate across the political spectrum because they address fundamental issues concerning housing affordability, supply, and market stability – issues that impact every Canadian.

Translating Vision into Policy: Realizing Key Housing Initiatives

Perhaps the most compelling evidence of CREA’s advocacy success can be found in this year’s federal budget. Not only were both the Liberal and Conservative housing priorities, which mirrored our recommendations, implemented, but we also saw the realization of even more impactful initiatives. A significant victory was the establishment of a $1.5 billion program specifically designed to support new home buyers. This program, a direct result of sustained advocacy efforts by CREA and its members, represents a crucial step towards making homeownership more attainable for thousands of Canadians. Such outcomes underscore the strategic thinking and relentless dedication of our team and the broad network of REALTORS® who lend their voices to our cause. From enhancing homebuyer incentives to promoting housing supply, our collaborative efforts have successfully shaped national policy, paving the way for a more accessible and equitable housing market.

The Collective Strength: Realtors at the Heart of Our Advocacy

These advocacy successes are not achieved in isolation. We are immensely proud of our dedicated team at CREA, whose expertise and hard work drive our policy initiatives. However, their efforts are amplified by the invaluable contributions of REALTORS® across the country. Through initiatives like our annual “PAC Days” (Political Action Committee Days) in Ottawa, REALTORS® directly engage with Members of Parliament, sharing their on-the-ground experiences and insights. These personal stories and professional perspectives provide crucial context to policymakers, helping them understand the real-world implications of their decisions.

Empowering Realtors: The Backbone of Grassroots Advocacy

Beyond Ottawa, individual REALTORS® are powerful advocates within their own communities. They connect with their local MPs, participate in local policy discussions, and educate the public about real estate issues. This grassroots engagement is vital. It creates a powerful, unified voice that resonates from coast to coast, demonstrating the widespread support for CREA’s policy objectives. It’s this collective energy and commitment – from the strategic planning by our Ottawa team to the local outreach by thousands of REALTORS® – that truly makes our advocacy impactful and ensures that the needs of Canadian homebuyers and sellers remain front and center in national policy discussions.

Looking Forward: A Continued Commitment to Canadian Homebuyers and Sellers

As the Canadian housing market continues to evolve, CREA’s commitment to robust and effective advocacy remains unwavering. We are constantly monitoring emerging trends, analyzing new policy proposals, and identifying opportunities to further support homeownership and the professional standards of the real estate industry. Our future efforts will continue to focus on improving housing affordability, increasing supply, and ensuring that the regulatory environment fosters a fair and transparent market for all Canadians. We believe that through informed dialogue and dedicated action, we can continue to shape a positive future for real estate in Canada.

Transparency and Engagement: An Open Invitation for Dialogue

At CREA, transparency and factual accuracy are paramount. We believe in an open dialogue based on verifiable information. If the author of the initial letter, or any other interested party, requires more comprehensive information or wishes to delve deeper into the facts surrounding CREA’s advocacy efforts, our door is always open. I would be more than happy to provide detailed accounts and verifiable facts for use in future articles or discussions. Our commitment is not just to advocate effectively, but also to communicate openly about the vital work we do on behalf of Canadian REALTORS® and the public they serve.

Michael Bourque
CEO, The Canadian Real Estate Association
Ottawa