PAC Days 2024: REALTORS® Meet in Canada’s Capital, Advocate for Housing for All

For 39 years, REALTORS® from across Canada have gathered on Parliament Hill to meet with Members of Parliament (MPs) during the Canadian Real Estate Association’s (CREA) annual Political Action Committee (PAC) Days.

This year, from October 20 to 22, 2024, more than 400 PAC representatives participated in thoughtful conversations about access to housing in Canada, listened to experts share their knowledge during curated panels, and met with their MPs to discuss our three REALTOR® recommendations:

1. Stimulate supply across the housing continuum by embracing innovation through offsite construction technologies.
2. Establish a permanent mechanism to collaborate and coordinate housing policy and development, such as a national housing secretariat.
3. HST/GST relief for non-profit-built affordable ownership housing.

Highlights from Day 1

On Day 1, we were honoured to welcome Elder Claudette Commanda of the Kitigan Zibi Anishinabeg First Nation to deliver a traditional welcome.

Former Premiers Jason Kenney and Kathleen Wynne, gave their take on the state of the federation. This was followed by a presentation by Eddie Sheppard, Vice-President, Insights at Abacus Data, where we learned, among other things, one in four young Canadians are delaying having a children and one in five are delaying getting married because of housing unaffordability.

Thank you @Kathleen_Wynne and @jkenney for your perspectives on the state of the federation, shaped by your distinguished careers in 🇨🇦 politics. #CREAPAC24 #cdnpoli pic.twitter.com/OZp7Vu5cz6

— CREA | ACI (@CREA_ACI) October 20, 2024

Programming continued with a PAC Days favourite, the media panel. Each year, it offers a non-partisan discussion on the current political scene from some of Canada’s leading journalists. On the English panel, we were joined by Chantal Hébert, Robert Russo, and Susan Delacourt. On the French panel, we were joined by Joël-Denis Bellavance and Hélène Buzzetti.

Highlights from Day 2

This was the busiest day for MP meetings as delegates made their way to Parliament Hill to advocate for our REALTOR® recommendations in more than 100 MP meetings.

We then heard from representatives from organizations from across the housing continuum who shared the voices they represent and inclusive solutions to the housing crisis. This was followed by the presentation to this year’s PAC Award winners. Congratulations to both the Nova Scotia Association of REALTORS® and Windsor-Essex Country Association of REALTORS®, recipients of the Outstanding PAC Team Award (Large Board), and to the Guelph and District Association of REALTORS® (now part of OnePoint Association of REALTORS®), winner of the Outstanding PAC Team Award (Small Board).

We’re thrilled to announce our 2024 PAC award winners! Congratulations to both @nsarREALTORS and @wecrealtors for receiving the Outstanding PAC Team Award (Large Board), and to @_GDAR_ for winning the Outstanding PAC Team Award (Small Board). Finally, a huge shoutout to all… pic.twitter.com/1YJmLKTIPA

— CREA | ACI (@CREA_ACI) October 21, 2024

The Honourable Sean Fraser, Minister of Housing, Infrastructure and Communities, took to the PAC Days stage to update delegates on the government’s work to  address Canada’s housing crisis. We then turned our attentions south of the border and welcomed keynote speaker Rick Wilson, co-founder of The Lincoln Project, who shared his expertise on U.S. politics and how the outcome of the 2024 U.S. election may impact Canada.

@SeanFraserMP, Minister of Housing, Infrastructure and Communities, addresses PAC Reps on his party’s goals to solving the #HousingCrisis. #CREAPAC24 #cdnpoli pic.twitter.com/2yWA1xYZQR

— CREA | ACI (@CREA_ACI) October 21, 2024

With less than a month to go until the 2024 U.S. Presential Election, it was fascinating to hear insights from a political insider. Thank you, @TheRickWilson, Co-founder of @ProjectLincoln, for a peek into the potential impact of the election on Canadian politics. #CREAPAC24 pic.twitter.com/Ym9A6va2QF

— CREA | ACI (@CREA_ACI) October 21, 2024

Shaun Majumder, a Gemini Award-winning Canadian comedian and “Real Estate Mowgli,” capped off the day with his humorous tale of his bumpy road from rags to riches to rags.

It wouldn’t be PAC Days without a little fun. Thank you @ShaunMajumder for bringing the laughs to close out Day 2 of #CREAPAC24. pic.twitter.com/OxShKWFCTd

— CREA | ACI (@CREA_ACI) October 21, 2024

Highlights from Day 3

For final day, we welcomed MPs from across party lines who shared their candid take on deteriorating civil discourse in politics. We then heard from organizations who are helping lead the way in housing and construction innovation. This was well accompanied by a site visit to Maisons usinées Côté in Chelsea, Quebec, to see first-hand what offsite construction in Canada can look like.

If you’re interested in becoming a PAC Rep and joining us in Ottawa next year (our 40^th anniversary!), talk with your local board or association. For ongoing federal affairs updates, please visit REALTORActionNetwork.ca.