On November 23, members of the Realtors Association of Hamilton-Burlington (RAHB), the Waterloo Region Association of Realtors (WRAR) and the Simcoe and District Real Estate Board (SDREB) held Special General Meetings (SGM) and a vote to approve amalgamating under the name Cornerstone Association of Realtors (CAR). MREB members will vote on being part of the amalgamation on January 31, 2024, at their membership meeting.
Amalgamation effective July 1
The amalgamation will come into effect on July 1, 2024, and will combine about 3,800 RAHB members, 2,600 WRAR members and 160 SDREB members, plus 2,500 MREB members if they approve joining the amalgamation on January 31.
About this, MREB’s president, Michael Kennelly, says, “The MREB board of directors is very pleased to learn members of our three partnering associations have all voted in favour of this amalgamation. I’m excited for our members to choose the same path at our upcoming SGM on January 31, where they will vote on this definitive opportunity to chart our future. I encourage my fellow Mississauga realtors to make their voices heard by attending and casting their votes.”
New organization to become province’s second-largest association
The new organization will become Ontario’s second-largest real estate association, with nearly 9,000 realtors.
“Yesterday’s momentous vote brings our members one step closer to belonging to Cornerstone Association of Realtors, a new association poised to provide the tools realtors want and need,” says Christal Moura, president of WRAR. “By harnessing the power of collaboration, the new organization will strengthen and empower realtors with technology providers, consumers, government and other stakeholders.”
David Puddy, president of SDREB, comments: “I am thrilled that members of SDREB have ratified our board’s decision to join forces with Cornerstone. Together, we are embarking on an exciting new chapter of organized real estate in Ontario focused on reinforcing the value of local realtors. Our members should take pride in being part of this innovative partnership.”
Nicolas von Bredow, RAHB’s president feels similarly: “For RAHB, this is the culmination of three years of work towards this goal. We are very confident in our joint vision – that by bringing realtors together, we will be stronger together. We truly believe this strategic decision will be the cornerstone for the future.”
Next steps
In the immediate term, MLS services will continue as-is, and realtors will continue to be served by their local offices and staff. A recent release says that over a two-year transition period, CAR will “align, harmonize and standardize the amalgamating associations/boards’ systems, services, staffing and programs into one robust realtor ecosystem”.
Great leadership from all of these boards, they make evidence based decisions that truly benefit and advance their members needs. They have always worked hard to make sure that the membership they serve are the “cornerstone” of all they do and listen to what they need and want. Hopefully the MREB vote goes the same way in January and this new association goes on to continue to support these realtors in even better ways. Congratulations on such an exciting amalgamation.
One board for Ontario Resltors..this is pointless
One step at a time.
Pointless? Wouldn’t one board in Ontario need to collect the others over time? The comment you made is pointless.
I’m very excited to see more boards join Cornerstone in the months & years ahead! My board has made it very clear this is just the beginning of something even greater!
One step at a time.
Well, it’s a step in the right direction towards a province wide Board and a single provincial system. After 30+ years in this industry, the only thing I see holding this back is the parochial attitude of some of the smaller Boards, who are trying g to protect “their” market. The public doesn’t know or understand or care about the hurdles Realors go through trying serve them properly outside their agents local Board jurisdiction. Such hurdles, in my opinion should be eliminated. Well, maybe in another 30 yrs. ;–)) .
Flora Dougherty