On December 8, a new development in the controversial debate about the Ontario Realtor Wellness Program (ORWP) – which, on November 29, was voted to move forward as mandatory – was posted to the Facebook group, “Legal Fund for Ontario Agents”.
What it means
In the email posted, Waterloo Region Association of Realtors (WRAR) president, Christal Moura, explains that WRAR members “will not be able to access any features of the ORWP as part of your WRAR membership.” She goes on to mention how ORWP services may be accessed through a dual membership with another board if members have this.
The letter also notes that WRAR will refund any Ontario Real Estate Association (OREA) dues collected by WRAR for dual board members to ensure that members are not charged twice.
Uncharted territory without precedent
As Moura notes in the letter, “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.
Positive reception
The majority of comments on the bold move have been positive.
For example, Jordana Weiss says, “So proud of WRAR. They have been carefully researching the ORWP from the beginning and have actively listened to the concerns of their membership. So impressed by our Board and Bill Duce.”
“This creates an interesting scenario. If suddenly people decide to migrate to WRAR, thus leaving their current brokerage, does that not make this a competition bureau issue? The brokerages losing members could technically claim that having the ORWP is negatively affecting their brokerage. I said this from the beginning … If enough people leave OREA, the premiums will have to be increased. If the premiums increase, more people will leave. They have totally shot themselves in the foot with this mandate,” says Tina Forte.
OREA is aware of this development and is in touch with WRAR’s leadership to discuss the matter. WRAR has not yet responded to REM’s request for comment.
We will update this post with any new information received.
Congratulations to WRARfor having the courage to listen to their members and take the lead by listening to their members and refusing to impose the mandatory program on their members. I am disappointed with the Toronto Regional Board, who sent out a multi questionnaire to its members. The first question was are you in favour of mandatory insurance. TRREB voted in favour of the insurance, but has not given us a partial or mort importantly a complete count of how every question was answered. I asked for a complete breakdown. No response from the President to date.I asked for that info when TREB reported that members would be joining the insurance program..Frankly, it looks high handed.
Make no mistake they listened to their members- but the likely repercussions are enormous.
Did they listen to members or did they listen to the most vocal members?
Good evening.
I started in 2018 and I was placed in a mandatory Life Insurance. To my wnderstanding this was a $30000 plan and now its just nul and void. This plan should be a choice.
I made onle one sale since 2018 -2019 and that has a story of its one. I paid fees and branding plus fees to four organizations. all these organizations are providing the same services and now at 70 years old I am thrust into another mandatoru Insurance.
Are you saying to have a membership and to operation as an Agent I must accept an insurance because of members leaving? why dont you have an Insurance that can help members who are not making sales especially because of the market.
I would like to revisit
I contacted the President and there was no respond.
I am reaching out on behalf of other registrant.
WE are undermind by TRREB because we have been pating for mandatory Insurance.
The Brokerages also have Insurances and I believed it was mandatory but I waived this.. THis is a way to tie our hands and we you vote on this as members.
Around the year 2000 TREB tried to impose electronic lock boxes on members without consulting them. In those days if I recall only brokers could sit on the board and only brokers could vote! Talk about Self Serving!! At that time TREB allowed members to comment on a website we could see, with the majority of agents being against the electronic boxes. That web site was taken down and never reset!! I do not trust TRREB’s voting results. I and others have asked for a breakdown from the then President of Trreb. Just like others I did not receive any response. Many years ago I worked for a Canadian government. I had a major physical health problem which dictated that I have surgery and bed rest. We half illness/death benefits/dental and drug benefits. The insurance company cut off my benefits after 1month and requested an in depth analysis from my doctor (abt 20 pages). The dr said he didn’t have the time or resources to deal with their inquiry. Our employer had a full time Nurse employed, who I contacted and she after speaking with my Dr apparently demanded that my illness benefits be established with out delay, which they did. I believe that early termination of benefits is a common practice companies. After all they make make money when they collect benefits not pay out. I was fortunate in that the Nurse knew me. Now if an agent requires sick benefits, I have a couple of questions: who will take up the fight for the ill realtor? How much money is OREA making from this venture? Was any member of the OREA board paid by, or received any benefits from the insurer or its agent to support the insurance program? Did any OREA employee receive any gifts or cash from the insurer or its agent? What benefits did each board receive from the insurer? Who supports the agent who has made a valid claim for benefits? OREA needs to be more open to all members. I don’t recall receiving any audited financials from them or from CREA for that matter. OREA needs to become directly responsible to All Members. The conception of the insurance program was kept from the members at large. Does have an unsavoury smell?
With regards to OREA, I believe that it is time for an Independsnt Audit of their financials and Operations. Are we getting a fair return for our investment? Can OREA become more efficient and Open to their members. OREA attends TREB’S RealtorQuest each year usually in mid May. I normally stop at their booth to see what’s coming down the pipe. There was no mention of the insurance program, instead they glad hand members and hand out trinkets