The Ontario Realtor Wellness Program (ORWP) is a program from the Ontario Real Association (OREA) that provides health benefits to all OREA members.
- How the ORWP and its task force came to be
- ORWP approved at OREA meeting
- What does the ORWP include?
- How much does the ORWP cost?
- Community response to the ORWP
- Board-level opposition to the ORWP
- Toronto Regional Real Estate Board’s influence on the ORWP
- Survey insights: Realtor opinions on the ORWP
- WRAR to not invoice for the ORWP
- Looking ahead: The ORWP’s future amid controversy
How the ORWP and its task force came to be
In early 2023, at the direction of its member boards, OREA created the Realtor Wellness Task Force. Its goal was to examine the viability, feasibility and scope of a province-wide insurance and benefits program for all OREA members — the ORWP.
A first of its kind in North America, the ORWP is meant to address the issue of many realtors lacking private health insurance by offering a comprehensive benefits package. It commenced on January 1, 2024.
While individual boards in Ontario have previously investigated implementing such a program at a local level, harnessing the collective bargaining strength of the entire OREA membership was believed to be the best option for providing affordable coverage.
The task force was co-chaired by OREA past-president Stacey Evoy and Toronto Regional Real Estate Board (TRREB) past-president Kevin Crigger.
Tania Artenosi, OREA president, notes surveys indicated that far too many of its members didn’t have private health insurance and that a safety net was a top desire.
In a video message to the province’s boards, Artenosi says: “Offering a plan of this calibre at such a low cost requires the buying power of 96,000 members meaning, if approved, the ORWP standard plan will be mandatory for all OREA members, and all OREA members will pay the same, regardless of age.”
ORWP approved at OREA meeting
On June 20, 2023, OREA held a special general meeting (SGM) for Ontario boards to vote on having the ORWP. Only member board nominees with voting rights, directors, executive officers and past presidents were able to participate.
The result was nearly 80 per cent of votes from the province’s 34 member boards supporting the program, which would make it mandatory for members on January 1, 2024.
What does the ORWP include?
The ORWP is available to all OREA members in Ontario and includes:
- life insurance
- critical illness insurance
- out-of-country emergency medical travel insurance
- accidental death and dismemberment insurance
Some benefits will be reduced for those aged 65 and over. Program specifics can be found on OREA’s website.
A member and family assistance program option is also available. This provides virtual mental health support and healthcare coverage, including prescription drugs capped at $750, paramedical services (chiropractor, massage, and several others) capped at $750 and medical supplies capped at $500.
The program requires Ontario OREA members to participate or lose their association membership, even if they already have coverage through another provider or a spouse’s plan.
How much does the ORWP cost?
Per member, the ORWP’s cost is expected to be about $660 annually for the standard plan. This premium is in addition to regular OREA dues of $110. OREA confirms that for members to be in good standing, both of these fees (plus HST) must be remitted.
Local boards are responsible for collecting the dues and remitting them to OREA. So, “The $659.88 portion of the 2024 OREA dues representing the ORWP annual premium is collected from individual members by their payee member board and remitted to OREA monthly,” OREA states. OREA then sends the collected premium for enrolled members to the insurance carriers each month.
Based on the current membership of approximately 96,000, the ORWP will create an additional $63.3 million in dues collected.
Community response to the ORWP
The implementation of the ORWP has evoked a wide range of reactions among members of OREA. Notably, a substantial number of realtors have actively opposed the program. This opposition has manifested through various forms of engagement, including the signing of petitions, participation in dedicated Facebook groups and attendance at meetings to voice concerns against the ORWP.
The primary issues raised by members include:
1. Compulsory participation. Realtors have expressed reservations about the ORWP’s mandatory nature, questioning the lack of an opt-out option.
2. Changes in benefits for older members. There is unease regarding the reduction in coverage for members over the age of 65, without a corresponding decrease in dues.
3. Communication gaps. A significant concern has been the perceived lack of transparency and effective communication from OREA during the development and implementation stages of the ORWP.
This array of concerns has led to spirited discussions within the realtor community. Those who have played a role in developing or endorsing the ORWP have encountered substantial backlash, facing intense criticism and calls for boycotts across various forums.
Meanwhile, a well-known Facebook group focused on the ORWP debate was shut down amid this controversy. It’s important to note that critics of the program have also experienced their share of critique and sarcasm in online discussions.
Legal challenges
Lawyer Adam Chisholm, partner with McMillan LLP in Toronto, was hired in the fall by a group of concerned realtors to potentially launch a legal challenge to the ORWP.
Chisholm filed complaints about the ORWP with the Human Rights Tribunal of Ontario, alleging age and disability discrimination.
The purported human rights infringements centre around the potentially discriminatory or prejudicial effects of the ORWP on various members who, due to factors such as age, disability or marital status/spousal benefits, may wind up with lost or inferior coverage.
In a letter to OREA president Tania Artenosi, Chisholm describes the ORWP’s fast-tracked trajectory in 2023 from a concept to a mandated reality. His clients feel that the process has lacked transparency — particularly around the mandatory piece — and that OREA hasn’t made reasonable efforts to hear and address member criticisms and accommodate concerns about the aspects of the plan that could be construed as ageist, punitive and/or constituting unfair differential treatment to certain groups.
Board-level opposition to the ORWP
There’s a notable division among real estate boards in Ontario regarding the ORWP. Initial support for the program, as indicated by over 80 per cent of votes in favour at its inaugural approval meeting, has since seen a shift.
This shift led 10 boards to request a second SGM with OREA, in accordance with the association’s bylaws. The SGM took place on November 29, 2023, and the outcome showed a more divided stance compared to the initial vote. In this meeting, 59 voted to make the ORWP optional rather than mandatory, but 73 opposed this change and 29 abstained from voting. Consequently, the ORWP remained mandatory, effective January 1, 2024.
The Waterloo Regional Association of Realtors (WRAR) has openly stated its inability to support the program in its present form. A report from WRAR criticizes the program as being tangential to the core activities of real estate trade. It argues that obliging all members to participate — regardless of individual need — to subsidize the costs for a smaller group who favour the program is contentious.
Furthermore, WRAR expressed skepticism about the fairness of the initial vote on June 20, suggesting that the outcome might have been a foregone conclusion. This perception was fueled by the dominant voting power of TRREB.
Toronto Regional Real Estate Board’s influence on the ORWP
TRREB, the largest board in Ontario, holds a significant influence in the province’s real estate decisions due to its substantial voting power in the assembly. With 49 per cent of the votes, TRREB’s stance can be highly influential, often determining the direction of province-wide initiatives. This has been particularly evident in the case of the ORWP, where TRREB’s support has been a decisive factor, despite the mixed reactions from smaller boards.
Paul Baron, president of TRREB, shared his perspective with REM, highlighting the long-standing demand among TRREB members for comprehensive health and wellness coverage. He views the ORWP as a crucial advancement, describing it as a “safety net” that benefits all realtors, not just those within TRREB.
Survey insights: Realtor opinions on the ORWP
Several surveys were conducted by different groups, including Ontario realtor boards, REM and TRREB:
Diverse perspectives from Ontario realtor boards
Several real estate boards across Ontario, including WRAR, Simcoe & District Real Estate Board and Barrie & District Association of Realtors, conducted internal surveys to gauge their members’ views on the ORWP.
A common trend emerged, with the majority of members across the boards expressing reservations about the program. When results were combined from all eight boards, only 22 per cent showed support for the ORWP, with 63 per cent opposed and the rest undecided or having other opinions.
Notably, a significant factor influencing opinions was the mandatory nature of the program. Many respondents indicated they might support the ORWP if participation were optional. Additionally, a concern raised by the WRAR survey was the lack of sufficient information for members to make fully informed decisions.
REM’s unofficial poll
REM conducted an independent poll on June 23, 2023, which echoed similar sentiments. Out of 1,152 respondents, only 22.6 per cent were in favour of the ORWP, while a considerable 77.4 per cent opposed it. This opposition was not limited to Ontario, as only 18.3 per cent of respondents from other provinces expressed interest in implementing a similar program.
Toronto Regional Real Estate Board survey findings
TRREB’s survey, conducted before the OREA November SGM, revealed a nearly even split among its members regarding the ORWP’s mandatory implementation: 39.6 per cent in support and 39.5 per cent against.
When asked specifically if TRREB should endorse the ORWP as a member benefit, a slightly higher number of members opposed it than supported it (35.8 per cent vs. 31.6 per cent).
Proponents of the ORWP cited its value and affordability as key advantages. In contrast, the primary concern among opponents was its compulsory nature, especially for those who already had existing insurance coverage. Furthermore, the survey highlighted a lack of program awareness, with over 42 per cent of respondents indicating unfamiliarity with the ORWP.
WRAR to not invoice for the ORWP
WRAR has informed its members that it will not include the ORWP fees in its invoices. This decision, communicated through an email from WRAR president Christal Moura on December 8, 2023, reflects the board’s unique position on the issue.
Moura notes, “This is uncharted territory, and no precedent exists in how OREA will react.” The board states its greatest concern is access to standard forms: “While OREA has a history of licensing its forms to real estate lawyers in Ontario, we cannot rely on the same being offered to us, which is why WRAR is actively developing alternative forms,” Moura continues.
A follow-up document from December 15, 2023 notes WRAR’s view that “the ORWP, as presently constituted, and the OREA bylaw as it relates to ORWP are illegal and unenforceable.”
Looking ahead: The ORWP’s future amid controversy
As the ORWP takes effect, its future remains a topic of intense debate and speculation. The landscape is complicated by ongoing legal challenges, WRAR’s decision not to collect the ORWP portion of OREA dues and persistent opposition from various quarters. Despite these uncertainties, the ORWP stands as a brand-new initiative in Canada, marking a significant development in the industry.
Realtors have polarized opinions on the program, with vocal supporters and critics making their voices heard. This divide over the ORWP could potentially become a key issue in upcoming elections within the real estate community.
For those seeking a more detailed understanding of the ORWP’s journey and its reception, a comprehensive collection of articles is available, tracing REM’s coverage of the program from its inception. These pieces offer in-depth insights into the various facets of the ORWP and its impact on the real estate sector in Ontario.
OREA wants your input on the future of a benefits program — April 28, 2023
Ontario realtors face mandatory health benefits program: What you need to know — June 16, 2023
Mandatory health benefits: OREA members not permitted to speak at Tuesday’s special meeting — June 20, 2023
OREA membership fees expected to surge over 700% after ORWP approval — June 22, 2023
Opposition mounts as OREA members face mandatory insurance plan — July 11, 2023
OPINION: No voice, no choice for OREA’s 96,000 members — July 27, 2023
Letter from the Publisher: Understanding ORWP and the importance of realtor involvement — July 28, 2023
Letter to the Editor: The ORWP is a long-awaited lifeline — August 1, 2023
Letter to the Editor: When it comes to ORWP, embracing change is for the greater good — August 8, 2023
10 Ontario boards request special meeting over OREA’s mandatory insurance plan — October 6, 2023
Lawyer joins ORWP fray, files complaints with Human Rights Tribunal of Ontario — November 10, 2023
Ethical Dilemmas: Mandatory ORWP – an exercise of responsibility or power? Do benefits outweigh rights? — November 23, 2023
Ontario boards vote to keep ORWP as mandatory — November 29, 2023
ORWP special general meeting: The issues, the vote, the next steps from here — December 1, 2023
Uncharted territory: WRAR to not invoice for ORWP in OREA dues — December 13, 2023
You can also learn more about the ORWP program on OREA’s website.
Now OREA became an insurance provider. It should be regulated by the Financial Services Regulatory Authority of Ontario which would advise us why purchasing individual insurance or not needs to be decided by the other members or any associations.
Nosense. Lots of unions have mandatory insurances. Teachers, public employees, army, and etc. Nothing to do with regulated by the FSRA of Ontario.
To Jim: Does OREA pay us any cents as employers? If yes, I would buy … no questions at all. You cannot compare like that.
OREA IS NOT THE PROVIDER – GREENSHIELDS IS AND THEY ARE REGULATED UNDER FSRA – JUST AS WITH EVERY OTHER EMPLOYER THAT OFFERS INSURANCE TO THEIR EMPLOYEES THROUGH AND INSURANCE PROVIDER
Does any know whether the ORWP is tax deductible the same as our yearly dues since it is mandatory and part of the OREA fee. As Senior realtor my prescriptions are covered through the OHIP senior plan.
It’s there unfair to not only make it mandatory for the seniors and then start taking many of the benefits away as we age,
I could be wrong, but I suspect the complaints are mostly from part time agents.
Full time agents also have lots of issues like full time agents also might already have much better insurances through their spouses, or senor agents think they pay same but get less benefits due to ages and etc.
You are wrong.
Besides, the basic plan has neither vision nor dental coverage, plus 70%. It is far not enough to use. If you need a better plan, OREA would have your additional business then. For a couple both full time agents, they would find the basic plan not best for their benefits as well.
No they are not Jerry. They are from agents of all different ages and stages of their real estate career. They all have one thing in common though; saying no to it being mandatory.
Jerry could you expand on that? Why would you think the complaints are coming from part time agents? And, so what if it is? This isn’t about whether you are full or part time. The mandatory aspect of this plan affects every member. Many long time full time agents also oppose the mandatory nature of this program. By making it mandatory, this insurance becomes their first insurer, even though they have better plans either through previous employers, current secondary employers, spousal plans or separation or divorce agreements. These people will all be negatively affected if orwp becomes their first insurer, to the point some will even lose their previous insurance. This is not a one size fits all 96000 members situation.Making anything mandatory is overstepping peoples personal right to decide their health care. Orea membership was never about being a part of an insurance plan and never should be.
Jerry Vancooten. NO, you are wrong
You are correct, in saying that “I could be wrong”. I presume that you’re not from Ontario?
Yes, you are extremely wrong! Most clear thinking realtors, part time or full time, know the process to impose the ORWP was flawed! Transparency took a back seat to people who were/are hellbent on implementing this very unpopular initiative! Suspicion of impropriety and overreach by OREA and TRREB are the main concerns of realtors from all regions of the province. Some have suggested that the main players in this initiative have a personal financial incentive to see this through. Thankfully, in the end the legal system will decide its future!
yup, you are wrong. full-time or part-time doesn’t make a difference, it’s being forced to pay for something you didn’t ask, or need. that’s all. It’s also not the $$ amount- if say, someone is paying double, but has fantastic benefits thru a private insurer or a spouse, why give that up bc this little (almost nothing) benefit is being forced/mandatory? On another note, I see other agents on FB who have absolutely NO idea what this is about. So all in all- people need to pay attention before dismissing “part timers”, as this is not about that. Btw, I’ve been selling RE full time, since 2005.
Hi Jerry. The simple answer to your “speculation” is no it’s from all different kinds of agents. I am unsure if you’re for this terrible program and it’s 100% fine if you are, agents that want it deserve it. But why do I have to pay your coverage when I already have 2 plans in my household that are far superior then any of the tripe in the “Premium” plan that these people offer? It’s the way they did it. OREA has been a complete waste of money since 2019 and they know it. They have decided to become an insurance company in an effort to remain relevant because they do not offer anything else. The only reason they have even a sliver of power is because of the three way agreement between them, CREA and RECO and I hope many agents have written into CREA and RECO asking them to re-evaluate this agreement. OREA has shown us their ignorance towards the only people that keep their lights on and when this is figured out in court and their forced to reimburse everyone for this literal extortion, one could only hope that would cripple them and we could save paying their useless organization annual dues. CREA has power of MLS, not OREA and it’s time CREA and RECO see how being affiliates with them may cause bad press. Extortion in the CCC…this whole thing fits the definition to a tee.
Absolutely not. That is a gross statement to make. Two full time Realtors one with a fantastic plan that will not co share or be second place to an inferior plan. This stupidity now means we have to submit everything to a f’ed up plan that will reject 90% of our claims and then have to try to get our other to compensate. Double the work and we will have to pay out of pocket for what we have already got covered for.
You are wrong…
full time agent and I disagree with it being mandatory….I find it fundamentally wrong to be forced to underwrite somebody’s travels insurance, and their lack of forward thinking and personal due diligence for themselves and their family! This should not be my or my families issue,
Jerry, I had to laugh about your comment about part-time agents. Somehow I think that most part-time agents (whatever that even means) are part-time because they have another job. Chances are that this other job provides health insurance.
There’s no such category for licensing in Ontario
Senior agent here. I have no benefit from this program and we are a husband wife member who gets to pay twice for no benefits. When we for started in the biz no one helped us and that is what we expected. We have our own insurance we have had for years. This feel like theft and extra $1,200 a year for nothing. We really don’t understand.
Clearly OREA/ TRREB thought we’d just accept this scheme lying down (I love the guy who first used the word “scheme”).
Since June 20, every survey done, every vote taken, every poll conducted, clearly contradicts the “overwhelming majority” rhetoric OREA had touted. Confirming that neither the membership nor the Assembly had enough information prior to the original vote.
But we already know that; OREA didn’t send out a more thorough explanation of the ORWP to board associations until 2:30 pm on Friday June 16, leaving voting delegates only one full business day to review before the vote. Not enough time to do any in depth due diligence.
Why didn’t OREA wait until they had ALL the information before moving forward?
Why did they intentionally withhold the word “mandatory”? OREA’S ORWP task force, headed by Stacey Evoy, had a minimum of 8 meetings in which a pdf summary indicated “did not include messaging on the mandatory nature of the program”. From the 2nd meeting they knew the members wouldn’t participate. Makes no sense to force something on us that they knew we didn’t want. Unless there’s a bigger agenda.
OREA has clearly stated the possibility of becoming self insured down the road. (NAR townhall, October 2023)
Most board associations had a 3rd party conduct surveys. The response almost across the board was about 80% against the ORWP as it was presented. The rest were either for the program or undecided. Not surprisingly, TRREB conducted their own survey that came with the subject line “TRREB SURVEY COMING SOON: PARTICIPATE IF YOU SUPPORT THE ORWP”. Way to be impartial Mr. Baron et al.
TRREB’S survey indicated 35% against the ORWP and 31% for it. It’s beyond suspect that TRREB’S numbers are so much more balanced than the rest of the province’s survey results. But I digress.
Let’s talk about the SGM vote.
29 abstentions.
Why are there suddenly abstentions? There were no abstentions in June. No board, other than TRREB, has 29 votes to squander on abstentions.
The orwp is not an altruistic endeavour. If it were, the coverage would be more robust. $750 coverage for meds is bare bones minimum. And to get that $750 benefit, you first have to spend $1070.
Don’t get me started on the fact that OREA cannot definitively tell us the tax implications of the plan. Did they consider people’s religious doctrines? Did they consider separation or divorce agreements? Did they consider conflicts between existing policies and the ORWP?
Finally, by what law can they impose such a plan on a self-employed individual?
Well said Allan. My wife and I are in exactly the same position. In April I will have been in the business for 50 years, 37 of which I paid for an excellent health plan with Manulife but opted out when it didn’t make sense to carry it from a financial standpoint. At 81 I’m a FULL TIME Agent and all I qualify for, being over 80 is Massage therapy and Mental health care. NO Travel Insurance, Dental or Vision !!. I’ve paid my dues over the years and object to supporting a plan that is of no value to me. Stick to Real Estate issues OREA—-that’s what you were formed for !
As a senior agent, I can say, that for me, I object to paying a full premium for which I receive much less coverage. and Jerry, I would be willing to wager, you might feel the same way if you were a senior agent as well.
This is just one objection, I have others, notably the way in which this insurance has been fast tracked and voted on without the input from the majority of realtors, and when the last meeting took place for another vote, there were abstentions by members of various boards. I’m sorry, what?
Let’s be clear about one thing, by the “OREA member Boards”, everyone needs to understand that means TRREB and boards where TRREB has significant influence. There is no OREA where the views and thoughts of other Boards have substance.
My apologies for touching a nerve on this issue. I am much more enlightened now having read all the comments.
For me personally I welcome the opportunity to have coverage and the very small fee that is required seems insignificant.
But again, that’s just me.
How fair this voting was? According to REM, TRREB members voted against it in majority, REM unofficial poll showed opposition, member votes from all other boards showed majority did not want it… and yet, it was voted in……what a farce….
This article has been fact checked and is deemed to be partially true. 29 votes abstained. 80% is incorrect.
This is not a good plan. I object to paying a premium as a senior for part benefits so that younger people
Can pay less. My job is to support my family. If I want to be charitable it will be to those who are really in need.
Decent summary except one very important detail is missing that REMONLINE surely is aware of – the flurry of letters sent by TRREB’s attorneys to various individuals which read like an order from King of England demanding they cease and desist from exercising their constitutional right to freedom of assembly, freedom of opinon and expression under threat of actions from regulatory to civil to criminal ,all based on trumped up false and unproven allegations because the feelings of a small man have been hurt and a board feels pressure to actually represent the wishes of its members.
It’s not over yet. Those letters only gave rise to new complaints with the Competition Bureau for additional acts of oppression and abuse of dominance while two of Canada’s taxation departments have been read in on various matters – because they’re now “interested”. And you would think lawyers who try to intimidate, harrass and threaten people with false unprovable allegations ought to know that’s aside from the numerous LSUC code violations, an officer of the court may not abuse the court’s process or a regulatory body’s authority with such threats.
2024 is going to be an intersting year for organized real estate.
Yes indeedy!
WELL SAID just saying!!!! I look forward to seeing that small man and those boards who abuse their powers having karma come back to bite them!!!!
Of course a “BIG” person always says things anonymously.
This insurance is an over-reach. There are no benefits here for me. After 42 years I have supported the industry in many ways but I choose not to pay into any program where there is absolutely no benefit to me. This is a slap in the face for many of us when they only need (needed) to remove the mandatory portion of the Plan. It’s bullying at it’s finest.
Bullying at its finest for sure. As a senior agent, there is no benefit to this insur. Plan. It seems like extortion. Should be Optional, not mandatory. OREA should stay in its lane of real estate things, not health insurance. It should be scrapped immediately. Extortion.
My views on ORWP – it’s not about being part time or full time agent, it’s about your choices while starting an insurance coverage. This shouldn’t be mandatory, it should be everyone choice whether to buy it or not. Most of the times, people are covered in different insurance plans, not using any and hence ending up paying unnecessary costs, especially the expensive times and high cost of livings. This is not right and OREA needs to drop this mandatory cost. Everyone is trying to meet their ends.
right on!
Effective Dec. 31st 2023 after 50 years in Real Estate (76 yrs old) I have retired.
You will retire anyways. Do you believe that you would work for ever? You just use this as the excuse to retire.
Happy Retirement Jim! live long and prosper
oops..Happy Retirement Mike…!
(sorry Jim..)
My husband as well. He retired because he would lose his far superior plan and have to pay thousands out of pocket for his meds on a “previous” condition
To Jim: A tad condescending there … as are all of your Anonymous responses. Seem that you just came here to argue. Dear Boy!!!
Sadly, this plan doesn’t offer much; most benefits they offer, come free with my credit card. the fact that no dental and no vision is covered, leaves little else to benefit from. as ALL agents I personally asked, they just don’t want the package; better options with a private insurer, or, as many have the option- better with their spouse’s plan. Can you imagine having to drop a fantastic plan that covers your entire family…for this?! the biggest issue is “mandatory”. I recall another event where we had to comply for the benefit of other peers, while our own decision was ignored. so.. nothing new here. as in the other case, I would follow the money trail. someone stands to actually “benefit” at a big scale, and it’s not the insured..I’d be curious if there was a fair application from different insurers. It is too late for that anyways, Bottom line- don’t force me to be “charitable” against my will. Take “mandatory” out, allow ppl to make their own decisions and I think it’s fair everyone pays their own share. Since when I am paying unwillingly for YOUR benefits?? I applaud WRAR for actually caring about their agents and their opinions. Bravo, and please keep standing your ground!!
OREA has no business deciding what form of health care I choose. They are not my employer. No to Mandatory ORWP!!!!
Look on Facebook for the page titled legal fund for ontario agents in order to stay informed of the progress on the legal challenges in progress – this is far from over .
Everything @Tina Forte said and then some. It’s beyond belief that OREA has pushed this plan through when every survey clearly shows they misread the room on the entire ORWP initiative.
29 abstained votes at the November SGM? Really?? If even half of those votes had been in favour of scrapping the ORWP we’d be having a different conversation this January. The fact that OREA had to rely on a buried, dusty bylaw allowing abstaining votes to push this through just underpins the lack of transparency and the erosion of trust that’s building.
KUDOS to WRAR for taking a stand. I wish every board was as committed to supporting the interests of its members. Obviously OREA doesn’t give a crap.
I’m hoping that the legal fund gains traction now that the invoices are out.
Hi , not a realtor but my wife has been licensed for 25 years this coming November.
I’m with a Unifor Union with an Amazing Manulife Benefits Plan that my wife and 4 kids use.
So my understanding is my wife will loose her benefit coverage with Manulife ? Today she is paying the fee and it has an option to opt out of the coverage. Does this mean she can stay on my Manulife Plan ?
Does anyone know if you opt out of coverage you can keep your other insurance with spouse?
OREA needs to refocus their time and effort on staying in their lane and supporting the membership with all things real estate in Ontario. They are not my employer and whether or not I have benefits is frankly, not their concern. A whole lot of Big Brother going on here and it’s professionally and personally offensive. I am quite capable of looking after myself. If, as an organization, they want to offer such benefits, fine – offer them but do not take away my choice. NOTHING should be mandatory when the ‘service’ does not enhance or promote the profession of real estate.
To add insult to injury, as of Jan 1 we are being billed for it, but it isn’t even available yet!!
You neglected to mention, the threatening Legal letters from TRREB’S in house Lawyer, sent out to members and administrators of the OROMOO Facebook group.(Fact)
The article states “a well-known Facebook group focused on the ORWP debate was shut down amid this controversy.”… who shut down this FB group? There were over 9,000 members in that group. All of whom were OREA members.
Polls are one thing, membership erosion is another. People vote with their feet. The current market conditions, new TRESA rules, coupled with ORWP and other rising costs will inevitably cause a significant number of the agent population to either park their license or quit entirely – which could make ORWP financially infeasible anyway.
I am not sure if it was a rhetorical question as to who shut down the group. I think it’s well-known why the admins were forced into shutting it down
Its the worst plan ever, most of stuff coverage gets reduced 50% after 65 which matters like life insurance, critical illness. Whats the point? And its a terrible plan with no dental. Some insurance executives are OREA BOD are getting richer, someone lobbied hard.