By Toronto Real Estate Board
With a federal election campaign underway, the Toronto Real Estate Board (TREB) recently helped to shine the spotlight on housing issues by bringing together federal political party representatives for a housing forum.
The capacity event was attended by over 100 REALTORS®, who had the opportunity to hear from Wes Regan, Urban Affairs and Housing Critic for the Green Party of Canada; Adam Vaughan, Urban Affairs and Housing Critic for the Liberal Party of Canada; and Mike Sullivan, Deputy Housing Critic for the New Democratic Party of Canada. All major federal political parties were invited to participate.
“As REALTORS®, we play critical roles in facilitating homeownership, creating jobs, and advocating for affordable housing. These issues are of immense importance to REALTORS®, particularly as we move closer to the federal election. Our federal housing forum was an excellent opportunity for dialogue with federal housing representatives and to become informed,” said Mark McLean, TREB President.
The forum explored multiple issues including: affordable housing, homeownership, and the importance of the housing sector in creating jobs and economic activity. The party representatives discussed how the federal government can help support Canadian home ownership, especially for first time buyers. They also discussed options for creating affordable housing and for investing in Canada’s aging housing stock. Video highlights from the event are available on TREB’s YouTube channel – http://bit.ly/1PT425K.
TREB’s housing forum is just one of a number of things that Realtors are doing to make sure housing and home owner issues are considered during the current federal election campaign. In this regard, one of TREB’s other key initiatives is the launch of www.YourHomeYourVote.ca, where you can learn more where the federal parties and individual candidates stand on key housing issues, learn about upcoming election events, get information on voting, and read an informative blog.
TREB has also sponsored numerous debates and all-candidates meetings of federal election candidates, in partnership with local GTA Chambers of Commerce. These events have been excellent opportunities to continue raising housing issues with the candidates.
