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The Montreal Board says they have had enough of broken promises and want to end their working relationship with the Canadian Real Estate Association (CREA).
After 16 months of dispute over fees and services, the Montreal board are annoyed that out-of-province brokers are allowed to list Quebec homes on realtor.ca and MLS.ca.
Following an agreement between the Competition Bureau and CREA in 2010, homeowners can sell their properties on realtor.ca by paying a broker a flat fee. Unlike other Canadian provinces, Quebec brokers have to verify that the listing information is correct. The Montreal board, under the guidance of President Patrick Juanéda, has asked CREA to respect its own Brokerage act and take down the listings which they call ‘illegal.’
The fallout between the two boards arose in July 2012 with Montreal threatening to leave the national association if they did not cut members’ expenses.
It has not turned into a war of words between the two. Montreal says CREA has failed to deliver on its promises, and they will make a final decision on whether to remain a member by mid-December.
CREA, on the other hand, says they remain ready to engage in conversation with all Quebec boards.