Just weeks after Re/Max Canada cut ties with Pat Hare and his top-producing Calgary brokerage, Hare’s son is leading a move to Royal LePage.
Re/Max dropped Re/Max Central from its franchise network due to allegations surrounding a multi-million-dollar Ponzi scheme run by former employee and Hare’s nephew Eric Drinkwater.
On Thursday, Royal LePage confirmed the launch of Royal LePage Blue Sky, led by Hare’s son Mackenzie Hare. Blue Sky is understood to be the landing pad for Realtors of the brokerage formerly known as Re/Max Central.
“We are pleased to be able to offer a new home to a large roster of hardworking and respected real estate professionals, and ensure they have the support and resources they need to continue providing high-quality service to their clients and community,” said a statement from Royal LePage.
“The team is thrilled to be joining Canada’s Real Estate Company. At Royal LePage, we pride ourselves on our integrity and the professionalism of our network.”
Mackenzie Hare, a CPA by trade, was hired in 2020 as a manager at Re/Max Central, according to an online profile. The brokerage was founded by his father more than 40 years ago.
Mackenzie Hare could not be reached by deadline.
One-third of agents left at former Re/Max Central
Re/Max Central once boasted having more than 280 Realtors.
As of Thursday, there were 95 agents registered with 4th Street Holdings, the parent company of Re/Max Central.
As revelations of the fraud scandal came to light, agents began leaving Re/Max Central as early as 2024, a source told Real Estate Magazine.
The exodus picked up in recent weeks and months as the news became more widely known.
In the last week of May alone, 30 agents transferred from Re/Max Central to other brokerages in the city, according to Calgary Real Estate Board data.
Drinkwater’s scheme centred around falsified bridge loans for non-existent real estate transactions. Drinkwater was charged by Calgary police on May 8. Police reported 16 victims came forward with a combined loss of more than $1.9 million.
In a recent disciplinary hearing of the Real Estate Council of Alberta, Drinkwater admitted that the total amount invested in the scheme was $3.5 million.
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.
As a royal lepage agent, I am not pleased with news. I do not want to be associated with criminals in real estate.