As a REALTOR®, I know how challenging the profession can be. When the market is in flux, the difference between a great month and a bad month can be razor-thin.
Tough times can get even harder with unexpected issues, like a mental or physical health emergency. In speaking with fellow REALTORS®, I have heard so many stories of Members who wished they had a safety net to support them through challenging times.
At OREA, we want to ensure we always have our Members’ backs. That’s why we put together the REALTOR® Wellness Task Force to examine the viability and scope of a province-wide insurance and benefits program for all OREA Members. This Task Force, co-chaired by OREA Past-President Stacey Evoy and Toronto Regional Real Estate Board Past-President Kevin Crigger, is looking at the feasibility of an Ontario REALTOR® Wellness Program (ORWP). This group represents REALTOR® leaders from big cities and small towns across the province, dedicating their time improving the lives of our Members.
If approved, the ORWP would provide REALTORS® with insurance coverage to meet their regular health needs and extra assistance during trying times.
This idea has been inspired by the exceptional efforts made by Member Boards throughout the province. We aspire to build upon their achievements and broaden these types of programs province-wide for all 96,000 Members and 34 real estate boards in Ontario.
As we move along in this process, we want to make sure all Ontario REALTORS® have the opportunity to provide feedback on the potential program and share what benefits they’d like to see included. Click here to fill out a short, 10-question survey to provide your feedback. The information collected from the survey will help the Task Force determine the proposed makeup of the program.
You can find additional information about the program on our ORWP website.
We look forward to hearing from you on what could be the first benefits program of its kind for REALTORS® in Ontario.
Active in the real estate profession for 16 years, Ms. Artenosi is a Broker of Record/Owner with Coldwell Banker The Real Estate Centre with 8 offices serving Toronto, York Region, Simcoe County and Muskoka. She is a member of the Barrie & District Association of REALTORS® (BDAR), where she served as President in 2019. At BDAR, she also served as a member of various committees, including MLS & Technology, Governance, Finance, and Membership Task Force. At OREA, Ms. Artenosi previously served as a Director-at-Large, Chair of the Standard Forms Committee and as a member of the Marketing and Communications Committee. She is OREA’s 2023 president.
It is a terrible health plan that nobody that I’ve talked to wants. We should not be forced into paying for an unnecessary service. I already have my own coverage!
If a lawsuit is started I will be jumping on board!
I do not want to pay for something, I do not need! The government provides free basic healthcare, and anything above that is optional. I do have my own optional health benefits through other sources, and have no intention to be over insured (that can actually complicate things when it comes to pay out), or to pay for the extra benefits for others. Those who wish to get extra coverage should look into private insurances.
I never filed with my current insurance provider for $600 a year. Now I will be forced to pay into an additional insurance? This will save me nothing. If OREA is unhappy with the health insurance the government provides, they should start lobbying the government to cover expenses they feel should be covered by our taxes. This insurance is an other layer of taxation forced on to the members of a mandatory organization, we need to be part of in order to practice.
Not worth it when you have a Healthcare plan and travel and medical insurance through your credit card. Not sure who voted in favor but I doubt it was 80% of Realtors surveyed like they say!
So what OREA is saying is that a Licensed Realtor who currently HAS Benefit Insurance will Lose their livelihood if they don’t Enroll in your (OREA) Insurance PLAN . OREA will TAKE AWAY THEIR LICENCE. ???
Please tell me if I’m wrong and OREA is not operating like they’re in a Communist country.
What options does someone have that’s been in the business for over 20 years.
Please respond,
This plan should not be mandatory. Many agents don’t require this plan as they have coverage through spouse policy. This should be an optional plan. I believe this is a money-grab policy that has been forced on real estate agents.