Ontario Realtors demonstrate against the mandatory life insurance

Ontario Realtors demonstrated against the mandatory life insurance and benefits program in front of the Legislative Assembly at Wellesley St. demanding “freedom of choice.”

 

As members of the provincial parliament head back to the legislature on Feb. 20 after a break of 10  weeks, they were met with the chants of angry realtors outside the premises.

 

On June 20, the governing assembly of the Ontario Real Estate Association (OREA) agreed to create the Ontario Realtors Wellness Program (ORWP).

 

Under the program, all 96,000 members would be enrolled in an insurance and benefits scheme that would add about $660 to the annual membership dues which is presently $110. Unlike the previous insurance schemes run by OREA, the Canadian Real Estate Association or some individual boards, ORWP is mandatory.

 

Ontario realtors have voiced their disagreement ever since it was first proposed and on Tuesday, they brought their protest in front of the Ontario Legislative Assembly. 

 

Chants of ‘ORWP must be optional,’ ‘Revoke OREA,’ ‘Revoke TRREB,’ ‘Say no to ORWP,’ and ‘Freedom over forced ORWP’ filled the grounds of the provincial legislature with the hope that their demands would be heard.

 

Fatima Ataei, a realtor with Re/Max, who participated in the protest said she finds the program “unfair.”

 

“I’m here because of the protest against mandatory insurance for realtors which we believe is not fair to force us to have insurance. It is good for people who like it but not for everybody. That’s why we are here to send our voices to people who can send the decision to cancel the mandatory insurance for realtors,” Ataei said. “It’s okay to offer the insurance but it shouldn’t be mandatory. That’s all we want.”

 

Despite several meetings and petitions, the plan was scheduled to kick off on Jan. 1, 2024.

 

Ontario Chinese Realtors Association, who organised the Feb. 20 rally, said in a statement that the protest is demonstration against the “forced” ORWP.

 

“A substantial portion of our community, which includes a diverse range of professionals, is firmly against this forced policy, advocating for autonomy and fairness in our industry,” Ontario Chinese Realtors Association said.

 

Mike, another realtor who refused to give his second name over fear of losing his licence, said that for him, it was not about ORWP’s coverage. Instead, he said that the issue for him is to have a choice.

 

“It’s not about the coverage, it’s about the options. Because it’s a domestic country and I want freedom to choice. I should have the right to say yes or no. It doesn’t make sense. I already have insurance. I do not want another one. But right now, I have no option, that’s why I’ here at the protest,” Mike said.

 

While there is yet to be some progress on the matter, Ontario realtors including Mike and Ataei, said they hope the demonstration in front of the legislative Assembly will help them take the issue to a “higher level.”

 

OREA representatives have previously argued that only a small, vocal group opposes their stance, mentioning that they've conducted numerous town hall meetings to clarify their position to members after the vote.