Sandra Chaisson

As was widely expected, the Bank of Canada held its benchmark overnight lending rate steady at 0.25 per cent at its setting on March 2, 2010. The trend-setting Bank rate, which is set 0.25 percentage points above the overnight lending rate, remains at 0.5 per cent. The Bank acknowledged that economic growth and inflation have recently [...]

OTTAWA – February 17th, 2010 – According to statistics released by The Canadian Real Estate Association, the number of homes sold through the Multiple Listing Service® (MLS®) Systems of Canadian real estate Boards declined in January 2010 from the previous month. Seasonally adjusted national home sales dropped 2.8 per cent from near record levels reported in [...]

OTTAWA – February 16th – Following this morning’s announcement by the Federal government, The Canadian Real Estate Association is of the view that the Canadian resale housing market is healthy, and does not require regulatory changes beyond those announced today. “Banks and governments should be cautious interpreting recent statistics, since comparisons are being distorted by recessionary [...]

OTTAWA, Ontario – February 8, 2010 – The Canadian Real Estate Association (CREA) learned today that the Competition Bureau filed a Notice of Application with the Competition Tribunal against CREA. “CREA views the Commissioner’s decision as surprising and disappointing,” said Dale Ripplinger, President of CREA.  “We do not agree with the Bureau’s position that certain CREA [...]

OTTAWA – February 8, 2010 – The Canadian Real Estate Association has revised its forecast for home sales via the MLS® Systems of Canadian real estate boards in 2010, and extended the forecast to 2011. With Canadian economic growth rebounding from the recession, the unusually severe decline in sales activity in early 2009 is not expected [...]

Ottawa – February 1, 2010 – On behalf of Human Resources and Skills Development Minister Diane Finley, Rob Moore, Minister of State for Small Business and Tourism, joined today with Canadian Real Estate Association (CREA) CEO Pierre Beauchamp to announce that self-employed REALTORS® can now participate in the Employment Insurance (EI) program. “From coast-to-coast-coast, a large [...]

Reiterates commitment to hold until end of second quarter of 2010 As was widely expected, the Bank of Canada held its benchmark overnight lending rate steady at 0.25 per cent at its setting on January 19th, 2010. The trend-setting Bank rate, which is set 0.25 percentage points above the overnight lending rate, remains at 0.5 per [...]

Existing home sales activity reached the highest level ever for the month of December, according to statistics released by The Canadian Real Estate Association. Strong demand in the second half of 2009, especially in the fourth quarter, pushed annual sales above 2008 levels. Residential sales activity via the Multiple Listing Service® (MLS®) of Canadian real estate [...]

One month until the start of the 2010 Games and two western REALTORS® are ready to own the podium in Whistler. (JANUARY 12th) – For REALTORS® Lyndon Rush and Bret Bresciani, there are some similarities between being a top seller and being part of Canada’s winning bobsledding team. The backbone of each profession lies with teamwork.  “Both [...]

National consumer confidence ended the year 2009 on a stronger footing compared to pre-recession levels, despite having edged down slightly the fourth quarter compared to the third quarter. According to the Conference Board of Canada’s index of consumer confidence, confidence eased slightly in the fourth quarter for the first time in three quarterly periods. [...]