Canadian Mortgage News

January 2007 National News Archive

Canadian REALTORS® care about their communities

OTTAWA, Ontario, March 28, 2007 — REALTORS® are actively working to improve the quality of life of Canadians who live and work in their communities, and this was a key theme of the 2007 conference weekend of The Canadian Real Estate Association (CREA).

More than 500 REALTORS® and real estate Board and Association staff from across Canada converged on Ottawa for CREA’s annual conference weekend, which was held from March 24th to 27th.

The Canadian REALTORS Care™ Foundation was officially launched on March 24th. It will coordinate the collection, administration and disbursement of charitable donations on behalf of REALTORS® across Canada. The Foundation will also promote the charitable initiatives undertaken by Boards, Associations and individual REALTORS® in all provinces.

In the 2007 membership survey conducted for The Canadian Real Estate Association, 66 per cent of Canadian REALTORS® said they were active volunteers in their communities. "REALTORS® are involved in the community they serve," says Ann Bosley, who became the 60th President of The Canadian Real Estate Association on the weekend. She was instrumental in the creation of the Canadian REALTORS Care™ Foundation and served as its first President.

"REALTORS® not only care about where people live, but how they live as well," said President Bosley. "Our REALTOR® members should be acknowledged for their tremendous contributions to our communities."

CREA also announced it is the platinum sponsor of a national conference on aboriginal housing that is being organized by Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation and Habitat for Humanity Canada. The conference will be held in Victoria in October 2007.

This continued commitment to the improvement of aboriginal housing in Canada by Canadian REALTORS® was acknowledged by the Honorable Monte Solberg, the federal minister responsible for Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation. In a convention speech March 27th, Minister Solberg said Canadian REALTORS® "have been central in promoting the housing needs of aboriginal Canadians."

Last year the Association developed a major case study on aboriginal housing in Canada as part of its participation in the International Housing Coalition. The study was presented at the World Urban Forum 3 in June 2006.

At the Annual General Meeting of The Canadian Real Estate Association, members also ratified Interpretations clarify how MLS® Rules are to be applied across Canada. "The Interpretations do not change any rules, but they will help protect the MLS® system and trade marks ensuring that Canadian consumers can continue to rely on the integrity of the MLS® system" CREA President Ann Bosley said.

The MLS®, or Multiple Listing Service® trade marks, are owned by The Canadian Real Estate Association, and is licensed to local real estate Boards and Associations operating a local data listing system. The MLS® trade mark stands for a co-operative marketing service, comparable to a seal of approval regarding quality of service and information for consumers.

About The Canadian Real Estate Association
The Canadian Real Estate Association is one of Canada’s largest single-industry trade Associations, and represents more than 88,000 REALTORS® across Canada. CREA’s primary mission is to represent its members at the federal level of government and to monitor national legislation affecting or impacting the real estate industry. CREA also works to defend the public’s right to own and enjoy property.

For further information, please contact:
Bob Linney
Communications Director
The Canadian Real Estate Association
Office: (613) 237-7111
Cell: (613) 795-4346
rlinney@crea.ca

News source: The Canadian Real Estate Association (CREA)