CREA’s PAC Days provide members with valuable face time with their Members of Parliament (MPs). The main objective is to effectively present the interests of REALTORS® and homeowners to those who can influence change.
“We went to Ottawa to advocate on two important issues: helping Canadians reach their dreams of home ownership and evaluating policies that affect the ability of Canadians to own their homes,” said Sarah Johnston, Chair of CREB®’s Political Action Standing Committee. “Together, packed with many stats and figures, we spent time with MPs to have our collective voice heard on what’s good for our clients and good for Canada.”
Home Buyers’ Tax Credit (HBTC)
With the 2019 federal election just around the corner, CREB® PASC had a unique opportunity to help raise the profile of REALTORS® and advocate on a variety of issues like the HBTC.
The credit helps compensate for some of the costs associated with a home purchase. To help first-time home buyers enter the housing market, the REALTOR® proposal is to increase the existing tax credit to more accurately reflect current costs of home purchases.
To learn more about the tax credit, watch CREA’s short video here.
Evaluate policies that affect home ownership
The mortgage stress test (Guideline B-20) was implemented to ensure Canadians don’t take on more debt than they can afford, particularly in the most active markets in Canada. However, the regulations have had unintended consequences in many balanced markets.
The REALTOR® proposal is for the federal government to take regional differences into consideration when implementing nation-wide policies that affect home buyers. Local real estate markets vary, and so should the policies and programs that affect them.
To read more about these REALTOR® proposals, click here.
CREB®’s Political Action Standing Committee (PASC) joined REALTORS® from across Canada Sept. 30 to Oct. 2 for CREA’s 33rd annual PAC Days.
From top left to right: Diana McIntyre, Karla Lausen, Sharon Cragg, Michelle Eldjarnson, Alan Tennant, Michael Montgomery, Chloe McAra, Sarah Johnston, Cheryl Trask and Tom Westcott.
Political advocacy and your practice
Decisions made by the federal government affect your practice and your clients' homebuying power every day, but you have the power to change the game with the REALTOR® Action Network (RAN).
Built exclusively for REALTORS®, our industry's online advocacy platform unites REALTORS® across Canada to stand as a collective group and advocate for their industry.
When issues arise that affect your business, members of RAN are activated. As a member, you will be notified about timely calls to action and can share your voice directly with your Member of Parliament (MP).
Advocacy as easy as 1, 2, 3
Strengthen your business and have a say in hot-topic issues – update your RAN account today. It's easy to update – here's how:
- Log on to your RAN account.
- Select "yes" on the pop-up screen that asks if you want to join the network.
- You will be sent to the edit profile page. Update your profile with your address and postal code to be connected with your MP.
To learn more about RAN, click here.
If you have any questions, please email CREA's Government Relations group.
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