Everything you Need to Know About CREA’s Open Forum and AGM
On Tuesday, April 8, 2025, the Canadian Real Estate Association (CREA) will host it’s Open Forum and Annual General Meeting (AGM) at the Westin Hotel in Ottawa.
AGM recommendations
There are two recommendations we’ll be bringing to a membership vote at the AGM:
- Legal Defence Program Special Assessment; and
- New Member Initiation Fee Increase
Let’s break down these two critical asks.
Legal Defence Program Special Assessment
In 2006, CREA’s Board of Directors established the Legal Defence Program to address the costs of a competition law inquiry. That highlighted the need for a legal contingency reserve and the Legal Defence Program remains to this day as a form of insurance of last resort. It’s available to CREA, boards and associations, and REALTOR® members to fund legal defence of issues that could have an impact at a national level. CREA has maintained the fund balance at around $2 million.
Over the past several years, we’ve seen a rise in litigation. That’s led to an increase in legal costs. We’ve also seen a change in available insurance coverage which has added to the increase in costs.
The first recommendation is for CREA to seek a standalone $75 special assessment from all members. The approximately $12 million generated would be used to both fund ongoing legal defence and increase the available balance of funds in the Legal Defence Program to approximately $10 million.
This special assessment is critical to our ability to defend the interests of all 160,000 members of the REALTOR® community– now and in the future. If passed, it would come into effect in January 2026.
New Member Initiation Fee
The second recommendation is an increase to the New Member Initiation Fee – from $200 to $500.
This fee applies to members joining CREA for the first time, or members who are rejoining the association after a period of 24-months.
Since 2006, the fee has remained $200, while there have been significant investments and increases in services provided to REALTOR® members since then. The proposed fee better reflects the benefits received.
If passed, the fee would be effective as of June 2025 and would be used to replenish CREA’s Contingency Reserve Fund.
What else you can expect
During the Open Forum we’ll also present two prestigious awards:
- The Canadian REALTORS Care® Award 2025, proudly presented by REALTOR.ca; and
- The AEN Award of Excellence, proudly presented by the REAL TIME podcast.
Canadian REALTORS Care® Award
The annual Canadian REALTORS Care® Award celebrates amazing examples of REALTORS® who have gone above and beyond to better the lives of others in the communities where they live and work.
This year, to celebrate the 10th anniversary of the award, the recipient’s charity of choice will received a $10,000 donation from CREA on behalf of REALTORS® nationwide.
Don’t miss these REALTORS Care® Spotlights to learn more about how nominees of the Canadian REALTORS Care® Award are working to make their communities a better place.
AEN Award of Excellence
Established in 1989, the AEN Award of Excellence recognizes outstanding dedication and exemplary service. This award was created in the name of Frank Johns, a former Executive Vice-President of the Calgary Real Estate Board. Frank was a mentor and leader among Executive Officers and freely shared his expertise and wisdom for the betterment of the industry throughout his long career.
The recipient’s charity of choice will receive a $5,000 donation—plus, there will receive an opportunity to be featured on the REAL TIME podcast.
Logistics
Registration opens at 7:30 a.m. EST. A buffest breakfast will be served in the foyer 7:30 a.m. to 8:30 a.m. The Open Forum will begin at 8:30 a.m. with the AGM to follow.
For those who prefer to listen to the meeting in French, we’ll be using a new AI tool, Wordly, for simultaneous interpretation. Instructions will be sent to attendees via email before the meeting.
All election materials for the 2025-2026 candidates running for Director-at-Large and Regional Director positions can be accessed through CREA’s Member Portal. The AGM agenda package will be sent to boards and associations and posted on CREA’s Member Portal on Friday, March 7.
In the evening, we’ll host a special reception and dinner in honour of Outgoing Chair, James Mabey. There’s an option to purchase tickets for either the reception, dinner, or both. There’s no cost to attend the Open Forum and AGM.
Please ensure you have business attire for the Open Forum and AGM, and formal attire for the Outgoing Chair’s dinner.
More details, including accommodation and travel discounts, are available on CREA’s Member Portal. A block of hotel rooms is available at the Westin until Sunday, March 9.
If you have any questions, contact CREA’s Member Experience at support@CREA.ca.
