The federal Competition Bureau is investigating the Canadian Real Estate Association (CREA) over two policies that may be inflating real estate commission rates. The inquiry, launched in June, focuses on:
CREA has not been found guilty of any wrongdoing. Its chair, James Mabey, defends the policies, claiming they are pro-competitive, increase transparency, and improve services. The investigation is ongoing, with the Bureau seeking court approval to access CREA’s records from 2019.
The trademarks REALTOR®, REALTORS® and the REALTOR® logo are controlled by The Canadian Real Estate Association (CREA) and identify real estate professionals who are members of CREA. The trademarks MLS®, Multiple Listing Service® and the associated logos are owned by CREA and identify the quality of services provided by real estate professionals who are members of CREA.
* Only when the buyer comes direct, otherwise the seller may choose to negotiate a commission with the buyer’s agent.