This year’s market conditions have been challenging. My conversations within our membership highlight the fact that transactions are harder to come by, clients are cautious, and competition is fierce. In times like these, your association’s role is clear: to stand with you, deliver value that supports your success, and take strategic actions that strengthen your profession and business for the long term. 

As Labour Day approaches, I want to take a moment to reflect on the work we’ve accomplished so far this year—work that continues to demonstrate leadership, innovation, and progress we're continually striving to achieve on your behalf.

In June, we presented to Canada’s council of real estate regulators—proposing national collaboration to strengthen entrance requirements for new licensees. Specifically, we called for collaboration between the regulators, academia and the real estate boards in Canada to explore the creation of enhanced educational requirements as a pre-requisite for licensing in Canada. 

This interaction has opened a new door to ongoing dialogue with regulators, BCREA, and CREA around professionalism and higher professional standards. At the same time, we're leading a provincial work team with the Fraser Valley Board to create consistent MLS® rules across BC.

We’re taking another step to raise the bar in real estate. All BC Realtors will be required to complete 21 Professional Development Program (PDP) hours to complete their PDP cycles, up from 18 hours currently, starting January 1, 2026. 

You'll have the flexibility to complete the additional three hours through either accredited or self-directed options - courses, workshops, or other activities that matter to you and your business. We're also expanding our offerings with new topics like AI for REALTORS®, climate resilience, and commercial leasing. 

This year we've released six new courses so far, and our Professional Development team are working on releasing more.

This change comes from your feedback. You told us you wanted stronger educational standards that support professionalism in our profession, and we believe this change is an excellent first step.

Watch for more news about this change in the coming weeks.

The Service Re-imagined initiative has made strong progress across several fronts. The Account Executive pilot launched in May is exceeding engagement goals with over 50 brokerage meetings and positive feedback from managing brokers. 

Hear more about it directly from our first GVR Account Executive, Brian Spencer, in this Critical Path podcast interview. 

At the same time, GVR is introducing new tools and CRM enhancements for smoother member support. We're excited to roll out a modernized self-service payment method feature in the coming months, ahead of the new Member Portal launch early next year, that will help streamline your payment processing work flow with us along with other online features.

With planning underway for workflow automation to increase efficiency, these efforts are laying the foundation for a more modern and streamlined member service experience.

We're leveraging our negotiating strength and scale today to aggressively pursue new partnerships across diverse sectors of the economy.

Our goal through these partnerships is to create meaningful, tangible value for members while setting new standards for service and innovation in our industry.

We also began sharing sold and pending listings, including prices, on REALTOR.ca—making GVR the largest board in Canada to deliver this level of transparency.

Beyond operations, we’ve been recognized nationally, with our CIO, Shari Wallace, receiving the CIO Association of Canada’s Lifetime Achievement Award.

We're also building influence where it matters most—on the national stage. My recent appointment to the Canadian Chamber of Commerce’s Housing and Development Strategy Council ensures your voice is represented in shaping housing policy on issues like affordability, supply, permitting delays, and labour shortages. 

Combined with our modernization of the Professional Conduct Committee and Arbitration processes, and our commitment to national alignment, we're strengthening the REALTOR® profession for the future.

And we've stood together in difficult moments, honouring the memory of member Richard Le with a $10,000 donation to support his surviving son, while helping members organize additional fundraising that helped generate an additional $25,000 to support the victims of this unspeakable tragedy.

I also encourage you to join us for PacificWest 2025 on October 21–22 at the Vancouver Trade and Convention Centre—our flagship national conference. It is your opportunity to sharpen skills, gain fresh insights, and expand your professional network. Register today—I look forward to seeing you there.

GVR exists to support you—through innovation, advocacy, and a constant focus on your success. Even in difficult markets, we will continue to lead, to listen, and to deliver the tools, services, and influence that help you thrive. 

I hope you enjoy the rest of the summer sun, and I hope to see you in September as well at one of our Member Appreciation events we are hosting across the region.

Sincerely,

Jeff King
Chief Executive Officer
Greater Vancouver REALTORS®