Advocacy
Advocacy
BCREA is the voice of BC’s REALTORS®. In collaboration with the province’s eight real estate boards, we work with all levels of government to advocate for public policy that provides housing opportunities, ensures economic vitality, protects property owners, preserves the environment and builds better communities.
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Key Priority Topics
- Housing Affordability
- Real Estate Practice
- Climate Change Preparedness
- Consumer Protection
Housing Affordability
The BC housing market has experienced substantial price increases over the past decade. Many British Columbians have expressed concerns over declining listings and price increases. BC REALTORS® support policies that provide more housing opportunities that British Columbians can afford.
We maintain an ongoing dialogue with the BC Government on the following recommendations:
- Increase housing supply across the housing continuum.
- Implement policies to ensure that renters, first-time and move-up buyers have appropriate, affordable housing options.
- Encourage the creation of more “missing middle” housing options.
- Promote policies that speed-up the development process among local governments.
- Take actions to address rising strata insurance costs.
- Ensure fairness and effectiveness in real estate taxes.
- Develop a provincial framework to remediate buildings used in drug production to ensure they can be safely reintroduced to existing housing stock.
Real Estate Practice
Changes to the practice of real estate should be made with care so consumers and REALTORS® have confidence in real estate transactions.
We maintain an ongoing dialogue with the BC Government on the following recommendations:
- Ensure that the BC Financial Services Authority is a stable, efficient, world-leading regulator that gives REALTORS® a voice.
- Revise the managing broker structure so that it provides adequate supervision for representatives without discouraging managing brokers from their practice.
- Provide greater clarity about real estate teams conduct and professional activity.
- Enhance the ability of REALTORS® to serve consumer needs.
- Explore a separate license or designation for commercial real estate practice.
Climate Change Preparedness
BC REALTORS® support BC’s targets to achieve Paris emissions reductions targets for 2030 and reach net-zero by 2050. We are deeply concerned about the impacts of climate change on BC’s housing stock and homeownership in the face of increasingly common climate change-induced disasters such as floods and wildfires. REALTORS® do their part by continually familiarizing themselves with developments and trends related to energy efficiency and climate change preparedness.
We maintain an ongoing dialogue with the BC Government and key stakeholder groups on the following recommendations:
- Improve the energy efficiency of existing homes through voluntary measures and incentives for property owners.
- Ensure floodplain maps are updated and remain current, while ensuring sufficient funding to implement flood mitigation initiatives.
- Propose policies that balance private property rights with public policy in the Agricultural Land Reserve.
Consumer Protection
As trusted advisors on the majority of real estate transactions, BC REALTORS® have an intrinsic interest in consumer protection. BCREA strives to continually increase professionalism and consumer confidence as ongoing operational priorities. We are committed to evolving our sector, practices and Realtor professionalism.
We maintain an ongoing dialogue with the BC Government on the following recommendations:
- Enact changes to the real estate transaction framework that increase transparency and protections for consumers while balancing unintended consequences, such as impacts on housing affordability.
- Improve the foundation of effective real estate policy through fulsome stakeholder engagement.
- Address the root cause of many real estate consumer concerns, which is a mismatch between housing supply and demand.
- Consult with BCREA, real estate boards and managing brokers to build a meaningful education for preparing new licensees.
- Work with all levels of government and BCREA to ensure that money laundering has no place in real estate.
- Reduce the harms caused by the ban on limited dual agency.
UPDATE: BC’s Home Buyer Rescission Period: Your Questions Answered
Canada’s Foreign Buyer Ban Begins in January
REALTORS® Call for the Establishment of a Permanent National Housing Roundtable
BC Municipal Elections: Local Governments Need to Address Housing Affordability
British Columbians Face Diverse Housing Challenges in Northern and Island Communities
Metro Vancouver Cities Need Collaboration to Address Housing Affordability
BCREA and Real Estate Board Delegates Join Discussion on Housing Affordability at 2022 Union of British Columbia Municipalities Convention
Housing Supply: Myth Busting and Providing Real Solutions
BC’s Homebuyer Protection Period: What’s Next for REALTORS®?
BC Government to Implement Homebuyer Protection Period in January 2023
BC Government Releases Cullen Commission Final Report and Recommendations
Success of Real Estate Consumer Protection Measures Hinges on Next Steps by BC Government and Real Estate Regulator
BC REALTORS® Advocate for Better Consumer Protections During 2022 Government Liaison Days
Safety and Manufactured Homes Pilot Project: Resources for Sellers and Buyers
How the 2022 Federal Budget Impacts BC Real Estate
Only 35 Per Cent of British Columbians Support Government’s Cooling-Off Period According to Recent Polling
BCREA Addresses Minister Robinson’s Announcement
UPDATE: Free FINTRAC Forum to Shine Light on AML Issues and Real Estate Sector
Pre-offer vs Cooling Off: Communicating with Clients
BCFSA Proposes Changes to Real Estate Teams
Summary of Recommendations from A Better Way Home for BC REALTORS®
Few New Promises to Increase Housing Supply in BC’s 2022 Budget
Get to Know BCREA Government Relations: The Voice of BC’s REALTORS®
2021 Advocacy Year-In-Review
Deal With Strata Properties? Learn More About the Expiring Speculation and Vacancy Tax Exemption for Strata Owners
“Cooling Off Period” With No Details Creates Uncertainty and Concern in Real Estate Sector
What is “Blind Bidding?” An Introduction for REALTORS®
What is a Cooling Off Period? An Introduction for REALTORS®
Updated CleanBC Roadmap Promises Energy Rating Tool for Homes
BC Government Takes Positive Step to Increase Housing Supply, But Incentives Needed to Encourage Action
Collaboration Between Parties and Levels of Government Key to Housing Affordability in Canada
Why Another Liberal Minority Could Have a Significant Impact on BC Real Estate Sector
Wildfires in British Columbia
BC Financial Services Agency Becomes Sole Regulator for Real Estate
Comparing Election Promises to Increase Housing Supply
Federal Election: Housing Affordability and Climate Change Top of Mind in BC
UPDATED – BCFSA Becomes Real Estate Regulator on August 1: What You Need to Know
New BCREA Research Finds Funding is Key to Adequate Floodplain Mapping in BC
Expert Panel Recommends Meaningful Action to Increase Housing Supply
BCREA’s Virtual Government Liaison Days
One Financial Services Regulator Coming This Summer
BC Financial Services Authority Publishes Update About Move to Single Regulator
Housing Supply Takes Centre Stage During GL Days Live Sessions
Sustainable Homes: Understanding What Homebuyers Want
Federal Budget Recap: Foreign Buyers Tax Concerning, Other Measures Welcomed
What to Know About BCREA’s Government Liaison Days Happening in May
Teams Consultation: BCREA-Real Estate Board Response
Update: Changes to the Real Estate Services Act and Move to Single Regulator
BC Government Proposes Changes to Real Estate Services Act Paving Path for Single Regulator
BCREA Advances Anti-Money Laundering Recommendations
OSRE Wants Your Input Into Real Estate Teams
OSRE Announces Five Recommendations to Support Managing Brokers
Administrative Penalties Expanded
RECBC Approves 10 Per Cent Hike in Licensing Fees
How REALTORS® Help Prevent Money Laundering in Real Estate: Identifying and Reporting Suspicious Transactions
BCREA Advocacy 2020 Year in Review
CleanBC Rebates Doubled
New Cabinet Will Lead BC’s Economic Recovery
How REALTORS® Help Prevent Money Laundering in Real Estate: Reducing the Risks
Regulator Takes a Step to Curb Strata Insurance Costs
Continuing Strata Insurance Issues
Climate Priority for BC Government
Solutions to Address BC Housing Supply
How REALTORS® Help Prevent Money Laundering in Real Estate: Setting the Landscape
New Commercial Rent Assistance Program
Finding Floodplain Maps
The Provincial Election’s Over – Now What?
UPDATE: Have Your Say on Changes to Administrative Penalties
Webinar Recording: BC Real Estate and the Election on Our Doorstep
Comparing Provincial Party Housing Platforms
September Survey Results on Economic Impacts of COVID-19
New Federal Programs to Assist Canadians Impacted By the Economic Fallout of COVID-19
Webinar: BC Real Estate and the Election on Our Doorstep
Three Election Questions REALTORS® Can Ask Candidates
Planning for Post-COVID-19 Economic Recovery
Federal Throne Speech Includes Housing in Economic Recovery Plan
New COVID-19 Presumption in the Workers Compensation Act
Transparency Registers Effective October 1
Strata Insurance Update
Action Plan for Economic Recovery to Achieve CleanBC Goals
Monitoring COVID: BCREA Develops New Economic Resources
Anti-Money Laundering Resources
Province Revises Strata Property Act in Response to Insurance Crisis
REALTORS® Continue to Be Hit Hard by Economic Slowdown from COVID-19
REALTORS® Are Facing Significant Hardship Due to COVID-19
BCREA Combats Money Laundering Through Participation in Cullen Commission
REALTORS® Advocating for Affordable Strata Insurance
Real Estate Regulatory Changes on the Way
Get Flood Ready
BCREA Calls for Increased Federal/Provincial Cooperation to Tackle Money Laundering in BC
BC Government Presents Stay-The-Course Budget
Changes to Stress Test Mean Good News for British Columbians
Strata Insurance: Action from BCREA
Organized Real Estate Successfully Lobbies for Modernizing the Home Buyers’ Plan
BCREA Submits Recommendations for New Regulator
A New Year and New Resources for REALTORS®: What to Expect From BCREA in 2020
Improving the Role of Managing Brokers
Getting it Right: Real Estate Regulation and Commercial Licensing
New Anti-Money Laundering Initiatives in Development