The Alberta Real Estate Association (AREA) will cover a $30 special assessment imposed by the Canadian Real Estate Association (CREA) on behalf of its approximately 15,800 members in 2027, a commitment expected to cost roughly $474,000.
The decision comes as AREA continues to question the need for additional funding, particularly after CREA reported a surplus in 2025. CREA, meanwhile, says rising legal costs and ongoing litigation have made the assessment necessary.
“We as members are entitled to ask why existing resources can’t cover the cost,” AREA board chair Chris Hassall told REM.
AREA’s board approved covering the assessment after the Lethbridge & District Association of Realtors brought forward the proposal.
“We may not agree with this levy, but at the end of the day we are taking steps to make sure that our members are supported,” said Hassall.
Hassall said the association determined it could absorb the cost without increasing provincial dues or affecting member programs and services. The final amount will depend on AREA’s membership count at the time of payment.
The assessment is slated for two years. Hassall said he couldn’t comment on whether AREA would look at paying the fee for members in 2028.
AREA calls for greater financial transparency
Hassall said AREA had called for any additional assessment to be considered one year at a time and maintained that associations should review their spending, demonstrate the need for additional funding and clearly explain how the money will be used before asking members to pay more. He said AREA holds itself to the same standard.
Speaking with REM, Hassall acknowledged that a surplus doesn’t necessarily mean an association has money readily available to spend.
However, he maintained that CREA should explain what existing resources were available, what potential savings were considered and how it determined the additional assessment was necessary.
“We’d like all members to receive crystal clear reporting on how this fund is being used, what qualifies for support, who approves the payment, how much has been committed and what remains available,” he said.
CREA cites mounting legal costs
The assessment was approved by CREA members in April, expected to raise approximately $9 million to cover litigation costs. Members had rejected a proposed $75 assessment the previous year.
At the time of the vote, CREA’s legal defence fund had been depleted, with $2 million already drawn from operations and another $2 million in costs forecast for 2026, following significant expenses related to the Sunderland and McFall litigation and a Competition Bureau investigation.
In an email statement to REM, CREA said its 2025 surplus was already committed to strengthening reserves.
“While CREA reported a modest surplus in 2025 due to careful financial management, those funds were previously committed to strengthen reserves including building back the legal defense fund which was in a deficit position at the end of that year,” CREA said.
The association also pointed to growing legal and regulatory pressures.
“CREA continues to face significant national litigation and regulatory challenges that could affect how Realtors conduct business and are compensated.”
“Annual legal costs have increased significantly, from less than $1 million to more than $4 million in recent years.”
CREA said the approval of the two $30 assessments by voting delegates representing boards and associations across Canada reflects a collective commitment to ensuring sufficient resources are available to address current and future legal challenges.
It also acknowledged AREA’s decision to absorb the cost, saying associations have flexibility in how they collect dues and assessments.
“AREA has chosen to cover the 2027 Legal Defence Support Program Fund assessment on behalf of its members, reflecting that flexibility.”
The $30 assessment is separate from CREA’s two per cent increase in annual membership dues, which will still take effect Jan. 1, 2027.
Courtney Zwicker is a digital reporter and associate editor for REM. Based in Atlantic Canada, she has over a decade of experience covering daily business news.
