Canada’s largest real estate board, the Toronto Regional Real Estate Board, is facing internal dissent over proposed bylaw changes that could transfer key decision-making powers—including control over membership fees—from members to the board of directors.
The reforms, to be voted on at TRREB’s spring annual general meeting (AGM) on May 14, ahead of its annual conference, Realtor Quest, come with limited time for review, critics say, and have raised concerns among some members about their potential long-term implications.
Members warn the changes threaten accountability and transparency in the 73,000-member organization, which posted a $7.65-million deficit in 2024, according to financial statements. TRREB also reported a 3.3 per cent decline in membership year-over-year.
Last fall, TRREB members rejected a proposed $60 increase in dues for 2025. Fees vary by membership category but are generally around $700.
Members voice concerns over transparency and financial pressures
“I don’t think that Realtors can currently afford higher fees: the market is down, transaction volume is down,” said Jake Steinman, broker of record for Meta Realty Inc., told the Globe and Mail. “This is a case where democracy has to rule: you can’t complain if you don’t vote.”
“They do not give membership the opportunity to speak at the annual meetings,” Jeff Mount, a TRREB member and Realtor with iPro Realty Ltd. told the Globe. “Last year, we got one question. Why are we spending money to bring in Americans as guest speakers when we could turn it over to membership to ask more questions?”
“The whole process has been rewritten in favour of the executive team, and not to the benefit of membership. It is just another example of the direction they have taken and the removal of any accountability of membership.”
Brokerages speak out ahead of key vote
In a video message to agents, Ken McLaughlin, CEO of Re/Max Hallmark urged members to review the proposed changes carefully and participate in the vote.
“There’s a board vote next week that’s important to go to, to vote at,” McLaughlin said. “I’m encouraging you to do as much homework as you can right now on what’s important to you.”
While he didn’t oppose reform outright, McLaughlin expressed concern with how the proposed bylaw changes have been bundled together.
“I personally am going to vote no on this,” he said, “not ’cause I’m against what’s going to be happening, but I think they should take a really good look at maybe separating some of the stuff…not to put it all together.”
He concluded by urging members to “get involved, make a difference,” and said he was open to questions from fellow agents.
TRREB CEO declines to comment, says members will have final say at the AGM
In an emailed statement to Real Estate Magazine, TRREB CEO John DiMichele said: “At this time, it would be premature for TRREB to publicly discuss business items ahead of the spring Annual Meeting. We are communicating directly with our Members and providing details on business items that the Board has brought forward for Member endorsement, including the proposed modernization of our By-Law.”
Tim Syrianos, broker of record/owner with Re/Max Ultimate Realty and 2017/18 TRREB president, says the agenda item regarding the board and its ability to adjust dues and fees without requiring direct member approval has been floated around for years.
“I for one personally believe that the members should decide this. You bring forward a business case as to why this dues increase is requested, and the members decide,” he said. “Call me old school. I like the idea of members being able to be educated and vote on these things.”
Syrianos explains that TRREB has always managed a very tight ship, and they’ve always had the members’ interest first and foremost.
Circulating emails raise alarm over proposed powers
“The chatter is starting, and it seems to be that more people want the members to still decide on these changes than it is the board of directors, from what I’m gathering.
“The one (agenda item) that seems to be of greater concern amongst members’ conversation, especially in this environment with the cost of living and everything else going on with the economy, is the idea of dues going up without finding efficiencies that may already exist. That’s what has provided the most concern.”
An email, reportedly circulated by a former TRREB director, expresses alarm over the proposed bylaw overhaul, particularly a provision that would shift authority to increase membership dues from the membership to the board. The message warns that the changes could permit the board to adjust dues without requiring member approval.
It urges members to vote “no” at the upcoming AGM to allow more time to review and understand what it describes as a sweeping set of reforms being introduced through a completely rewritten bylaw and policy manual.
TRREB: Dues still require member-led oversight
TRREB leadership has responded to this email with clarification to members.
“Dues are set once per year, not multiple times. The proposed changes would move the specifics of dues setting from the By-Law into Board policy, but this does NOT mean a blank cheque for the Board,” the board wrote in an email to members. “The Finance Committee, made up of volunteer TRREB Members who pay dues, approves a budget which includes the proposed dues amount which is then sent as a recommendation to the Board of Directors, also made up of volunteer TRREB Members who pay dues, for their approval.”
TRREB says the change is intended to allow flexibility and efficiency, especially in times of financial stress such as litigation or membership decline.
The board emphasized that oversight will remain in place: “Most importantly, you still have the ultimate oversight. You elect the Board of Directors who are responsible for any future dues changes, and we your elected Board of Directors have a duty to act in the membership’s best interest, which makes sense as we too are Members. If we don’t, you can vote us out, and you don’t have to wait four years to do so as you do with the government.”
Upcoming vote
TRREB members can vote on the proposed bylaw changes in person at the Spring Annual Meeting, taking place Wednesday, May 14, at 9:15 a.m. at the Toronto Congress Centre during Realtor Quest. Member registration opens at 8:15 a.m., and a valid TRREB member ID is required for entry.
Mario Toneguzzi is a contributing writer for REM. He has more than 40 years of experience as a daily newspaper writer, columnist, and editor. He worked for 35 years at the Calgary Herald, covering sports, crime, politics, health, faith, city and breaking news, and business. He now works on his own as a freelance writer for several national publications and consultant in communications and media relations/training. Mario was named in 2021 as one of the Top 10 Business Journalists in the World by PR News – the only Canadian to make the list.