What You Need to Know From CREA’s 2025 Open Forum and AGM

On Tuesday, April 8, representatives from across the REALTOR® association community gathered in Ottawa, Ontario for CREA’s 2025 Open Forum and Annual General Meeting. CREA’s annual meeting is an important opportunity for members to have their voices heard and help guide the future of the organization.

Couldn’t make it? No worries. Here’s everything you need to know.

Meet CREA’s 2025-2026 Board of Directors

Valérie Paquin, Chair is joined by fellow officers Garry Bhaura, Chair-Elect, Darin Germyn, Vice-Chair, and James Mabey, Immediate Past Chair on the 2025-2026 CREA Board of Directors.

CREA’s 2025-2026 Board of Directors is rounded out with the following members:

• Anthony Bastiaanssen, Regional Director, British Columbia/Yukon
• Sarah Johnston, Regional Director, Alberta/Northwest Territories
• Avril Reifferscheid, Regional Director, Saskatchewan
• Kourosh Doustshenas, Regional Director, Manitoba
• Winson Chan, Regional Director, Ontario
• Daniel Dagenais, Regional Director, Quebec
• Chris Peters, Regional Director, Atlantic
• Phil Moore, Director-at-Large
• Linnea Vandenberghe, Regional Director, Atlantic
• David Oikle, Director-at-Large
• David Brown, Director-at-Large
• Luc Woolsey, Director-at-Large

Outcome of the AGM Vote

Delegates considered several key proposals at this year’s AGM:

1. Legal Defence Program Special Assessment

A proposed $75 standalone special assessment from all members would raise approximately $12 million to both help cover upcoming legal costs and increase funding in the Legal Defence Program. 

Delegates voted against the $75 Legal Defence Program special assessment with 57% opposed. CREA will assess the impact of this outcome and share updates with the REALTOR® community as they become available. 

2. New Member Initiation Fee Increase

Increasing the New Member Initiation fee from $200 to $500 for first-time and returning members (after 24+ months). The fee has remained unchanged since 2006 while there have been major investments and increases in services provided to REALTOR® members since then. The increase would better reflect the value provided and help replenish CREA’s Contingency Reserve Fund.

Delegates voted in favour of the proposed increase to the New Member Initiation Fee. 

Two amendments to CREA’s By-Laws and Rules were also approved.

Canadian REALTORS Care® Award 2025

CREA is proud to announce Kandice Henry of iProRealty in Brampton, Ontario, as the recipient of the 10^th annual Canadian REALTORS Care® Award 2025 Proudly Presented by REALTOR.ca. When Henry isn’t serving her clients, she can be found serving in her role as founder of the Shining Lighte Youth Charity, putting in countless hours to help create better futures for underprivileged youth in the Greater Toronto Area. As part of the award, CREA donated $10,000 to Shining Lighte Youth Charity in her honour.

2025 Association Executive Network (AEN) Award of Excellence

For her leadership, community involvement, and commitment to the real estate industry, Krista Gionet, CEO of the Windsor-Essex County Association of REALTORS® (WECAR™) was awarded the 2025 AEN Award of Excellence. In addition to a $5,000 donation to Windsor Cancer Centre Foundation, Gionet will be featured on an upcoming episode of CREA’s REAL TIME podcast.