This article was written and submitted by Rick Kedzior, 2024 President of the Ontario Real Estate Association (OREA), Canada’s largest provincial real estate association.
As REALTORS®, we know all too well the challenges of buying or selling a home. With so much money on the line, consumers need the expertise of a real estate professional and strong legislative protections to navigate these big decisions with confidence.
For over a decade, the Ontario Real Estate Association (OREA) and our nearly 100,000 members have been advocating for policies that will strengthen consumer protection, raise professional standards, and modernize the rules that govern REALTORS®.
In 2020, our advocacy paid off with the Ford government’s Trust in Real Estate Services Act (TRESA). The first two phases introduced modern business tools for REALTORS®, preserved consumer choice, and reinforced trust in our profession. Now, as we look ahead to the third and final phase of TRESA, it’s essential that we keep this momentum going to the finish line.
Earlier this year, OREA released our latest whitepaper, Continuing to Raise the Bar for Real Estate in Ontario, which puts forward REALTOR®-led policy proposals for the Government of Ontario to consider implementing in Phase 3 of TRESA. These recommendations focus on enhancing consumer protection and strengthening the profession, while getting rid of outdated policies that put consumers at risk – such as the auctioneer loophole.
President of the Ontario Real Estate Association Rick Kedzior
Consumer protection begins with REALTORS® who are well-prepared and knowledgeable. That starts with investing in the education and training new registrants receive from day one. OREA is calling for the introduction of a new two-year articling and mentorship requirement for new agents, similar to trade apprenticeships. This will ensure REALTORS® are ready to hit the ground running as soon as they are licensed.
But it doesn’t stop there. We’re also calling on the government to allow the use of specialty certification designations, an option that would allow agents to market themselves as specialists in their area of expertise – such as waterfront, agricultural, or recreational. This would give REALTORS® an opportunity to enhance their business and position themselves as trusted experts, instilling greater confidence in their clients.
Unfortunately, it only takes one rule-breaker to tarnish the reputation of tens of thousands of hardworking REALTORS® across the province. That’s why we have repeatedly called on the government to expand the scope of the Real Estate Council of Ontario’s (RECO) discipline process to include administrative monetary penalties (AMPs) for black-and-white infractions, such as advertising violations. Allowing RECO to handle minor infractions more efficiently will free up resources to focus on more serious offences – promoting a fairer, faster discipline process that reinforces consumer trust and sends a clear message that unethical behaviour has no place in Ontario real estate.
The Government of Ontario has the power to take bold action, and they need to keep their foot on the gas. If implemented, OREA’s nine policy proposals will cement Ontario REALTORS® as North American leaders in education and professional standards in real estate.
You can join us in this mission by writing a letter to your MPP to tell them what needs to be done. Together, we can raise the bar for the profession and create a better future for Ontario homeowners and the next generation of REALTORS®.
