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This petition description has been changed to reflect that the vote has occurred and we know the outcome.

As we all know, OREA has completed their vote with the Ontario real estate boards pertaining to the adoption of a mandatory benefits package. So much for Trust in Real Estate.

It looks like we will be required to pay for/participate in the "wellness program" as a condition of being a member of OREA. Not being a member affects your ability to trade in organized real estate. How OREA has the authority to meddle in a self-employed individual's personal choices that aren't real estate related is still baffling.

There is a lot of rumbling about this initiative, a lot of negative sentiment. 

Many people believe that this was rushed through without enough information, input or consideration from the membership. 

Some are questioning if the memberships sentiment on this initiative was fairly represented at the vote.

We don't know where this is going to go from here; whether we will be required to PAY FOR THE BENEFITS OR LOSE OUR ABILITY TO TRADE; or will OREA hear our voices and engage us in conversation about the inequities of what they've done by bringing this to vote so quickly.

They didn't ask these important questions: DO YOU WANT THIS WELLNESS PROGRAM?  SHOULD THIS BE MANDATORY? SHOULD PREMIUMS BE THE SAME FOR THOSE WHOSE BENEFITS ARE REDUCED BEYOND A CERTAIN AGE? 

Please sign and share this petition if you don't support being forced to participate. Perhaps we can show OREA and the Ministry that they have overstepped their authority to bind us to this agreement.

Original message:

The vast majority of Realtors in the province of Ontario first heard about the proposed wellness program within the last several weeks. 

The history of this initiative was purportedly a 2019 "big bold ideas" survey done by OREA in which members said they want this. Nobody I've spoken to remembers this but I'd be willing to bet that IF, in fact, it was something agents wanted, I'm willing to bet they didn't have MANDATORY OR YOU LOSE YOUR OREA MEMBERSHIP in mind. 

Fast forward 4 years to 2023 and the mention of this idea in March leading quickly to the formation of a task force in April.

Since then it has been full steam ahead to fast track a mandatory benefits package for the membership to begin January 1, 2024.

Subsequently, OREA sent out a survey asking questions about the components of a benefit package. Less than 2% of members voluntarily took the survey proferred by OREA regarding this initiative. The survey did not include any pertinent questions. For instance: do you need this coverage, would you benefit from this coverage, would you participate in this program if given the option. Instead, alarmingly, the word mandatory was highlighted within almost every question giving the reader the impression that this is a done deal.

At no time has a meaningful representation of the membership of OREA been asked whether we want this program or not. There has been no direct engagement with the membership and in fact, there has been an air of secrecy and expediency that seems suspect to many. 

We are self employed individuals. We are professionals who have chosen to govern our business', within the guidelines of our association, on an individual basis, in a manner that works for us.

We are not employed by OREA. OREA doesn't advocate on our behalf. OREA doesn't right the wrongs in our industry. OREA doesn't ensure fair and equitable work environments for us.

OREA is an association, a club, "a group of people organized for a joint purpose". OREA does not and should not have the authority to bind self employed individuals to an agreement that has not been unanimously agreed upon by the very people who will be affected by it.

Furthermore, OREA should not be negotiating on our behalf, especially without 100% transparency. There is NOTHING in OREA'S mandate that suggests that they have anything whatsoever to do with our health and wellness. 

Taken from RECO website:

"OREA is a professional association.
Membership is voluntary.
OREA’s mandate is to work on behalf of real estate professionals. 
OREA’s mission is to help Ontario REALTORS® succeed in building stronger communities.
OREA’s role 
• Encourage consumers to use a REALTOR® when they buy or sell a home
• Work to create a legislative and regulatory environment at Queen’s Park that is favourable to REALTORS® and real estate
• Provide information, tools and services, like standard forms, to help REALTORS® with their businesses
• Be accountable to its REALTOR® members
• Provide voluntary courses for individual professional development
• Develop forms and clauses for residential and commercial transactions. For example, 
Agreement of Purchase and Sale, Listing Agreement and Buyer Representation Agreement

Please take a moment to sign this petition so it can be delivered to the ministry of public and business delivery, OREA, CREA and RECO before we are bound to who knows what kind of insurance contract with who knows what kind of terms.

Thank you! 

Tina Forte (Realtor)