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Return of energy retrofit program
EnerGuide to be rebranded under new climate change plan
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he Conservative government's new $2-billion plan for the environment will include a re-branded version of the cancelled EnerGuide for Houses program, the National Post reported on September 13th.
The Conservative government canceled the EnerGuide for Houses program in May 2006 after the Auditor General's department criticized the program for failing to justify its hefty price tag. EnerGuide for Homes was created as part of the Liberal’s plan to reduce greenhouse gas emissions to help meet its Kyoto Accord commitments in 2003.
In addition to the direct benefits realized by participating homeowners, the availability of EnerGuide ratings have helped REALTORS® assist buyers and sellers in making informed choices about the condition of resale homes.
The Canadian Real Estate Association’s 2007 Pre-Budget Submission – which was delivered to the House of Commons Finance Committee in early September – recommended that the federal government restore federal funding for the program. CREA’s support for the program is based on the expectation that the program would remain voluntary.
The Conservatives’ new "Made in Canada" plan was shown to Cabinet in mid-September. If approved, the first component will be tabled in the House of Commons in early October.
September 30, 2006 in Home Maintenance Matters | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack
Housing market vigorous and stable
Canada's real estate market poised to show growth for 2006
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or most of Canada, the housing market exhibited moderate price increases and stable unit sales during the third quarter. Wide regional variances continued to be the dominant characteristic in the market, exemplified by frenzied levels of activity and double digit price gains observed in the energy and commodity rich Western provinces, and more reasonable sales volumes and moderate price appreciation in Ontario, Quebec and Atlantic Canada, according to a report released today by Royal LePage Real Estate Services.
Nationally, market trends established through the first three quarters are forecast to continue for the remainder of the year. Robust economic conditions, low unemployment rates, modestly growing salaries and wages, and sound consumer confidence contributed to the overall strength of the residential real estate sector.
Of the housing types surveyed, the highest average price appreciation occurred in detached bungalows, which rose to $300,365 (+16.3%) year-over-year, followed by standard condominiums, which rose to $211,562 (+14.2%), and standard two-storey properties, which increased to $365,380 (+13.2%).
"Canada's sturdy housing market continued to demonstrate steady growth during the third quarter. For all but the west, we have moved on from the frenzied expansion that characterized the first half of this decade, and are poised to show continued growth at a more moderate pace," said Phil Soper, president and chief executive officer, Royal LePage Real Estate Services. "Gone is the sellers' market that we have lived with for some years. We welcome the more reliable conditions that are characteristic of a healthy balanced market."
Despite the double-digit rise in average national house prices, considerable regional variances were exhibited again this quarter. The shift to balanced market conditions, which began in late 2005, has continued throughout most of the Central and Eastern regions of the country. In the core energy producing western provinces, the combination of very high in-migration, manageable affordability, and a shortage of inventory has driven record breaking price appreciations.
Echoing the second quarter and supported by Alberta's rapidly expanding economy, Calgary and Edmonton led the charge of Canadian cities with the largest house price appreciation in all housing types surveyed.
In Ottawa and Toronto, growth remained steady, supported by solid economic fundamentals, an increase in available inventory and strong consumer confidence. While the pace of price appreciation in Ontario leveled off slightly, the province's real estate market remains poised for modest growth. In Atlantic Canada, new housing and condominium construction offered buyers greater selection at more competitive prices, resulting in a slower rate of price appreciation when compared with 2005.
While the pace of growth in Canada has slowed, the domestic housing market is expected to outperform the American market. The economic and financial fundamentals driving the residential real estate sector in Canada are markedly different than those found in the United States.
Added Soper: "Canada's housing market is likely to outperform the American market through 2007. A number of factors are working in Canada's favour, including healthy personal and governmental debt levels, the relatively modest rise in interest rates in our country, and general affordability in our major cities. In addition, Americans are now seeing the downside of a tax system that encourages maximum homeowner leverage, and aggressive financial products such as zero- and negative-amortization mortgages that work only in a high price growth environment."
REGIONAL SUMMARIES
Balanced conditions continued to characterize the housing market in Halifax, as significantly higher inventory levels helped to moderate the rate of price appreciation. Buyers were increasingly choosy, taking more time looking for newer, low-maintenance properties that were not in need of renovations.
The housing market in Moncton remained healthy and strong as a slight increase in inventory helped to moderate the rate of price appreciation compared to the same period in 2005. Activity was brisk throughout August and September and is expected to remain this way through the fourth quarter.
The housing market in Saint John underwent its traditional summer slowdown in the third quarter, with activity picking up towards the end of the quarter. The local economy continued to thrive, as construction on a new 600,000 square-foot shopping area has begun, bringing several new box stores to the area. Buyers have begun seeking less expensive fixtures for their homes and are instead opting for more affordable housing options.
In Charlottetown, the housing market started to move towards balanced conditions, as some sellers had to begin to lower the asking prices on their homes to make them more competitive. Activity from out-of-town and US buyers was down slightly compared to 2005, likely attributable to the strong Canadian dollar. Inventory levels began to creep up in the third quarter, providing buyers with more options when looking for a home.
Activity in St. John's slowed slightly in the third quarter, particularly among higher-priced properties, where there was a slight over-supply of homes priced over $200,000. Listing periods have increased when compared with 2005, as some of the pent-up demand that had characterized the market over the last few years has been satisfied, resulting in more normal, balanced conditions.
Montreal's housing market recorded modest increases in average house prices, due to a slight seasonal slowdown in the third quarter as inventory levels rose. Part of this can be attributed to the fact that many renting first-time buyers were motivated to close on the purchase of a home by July 1, when rental leases expire in Quebec. Once this date has passed some of the pressure is taken off the market, allowing buyers to visit more homes before making a purchase.
Ottawa held its position as one of the country's most stable housing markets in the third quarter, reinforced by a vibrant local economy and strong confidence, resulting in modest increases in average house prices. The city centre remained a bright spot in Ottawa, with homes in this area attracting attention due to their convenient location and proximity to downtown amenities.
The housing market in Toronto sustained healthy activity levels throughout the third quarter, as a strong economy helped to maintain demand across the city, causing average house prices to rise moderately. Toronto has continued to experience modest growth in average house prices, and has been driven primarily by purchasers who are buying homes as their principle residence, rather than for investment.
The vibrant Winnipeg housing market continued to show its strength as house prices rose during the third quarter. The booming local economy resulted in a historically low unemployment rate, helping to bolster consumer confidence and Winnipeg's ranking as the city with the lowest capitalization rate among the country's larger cities - helped to encourage buyers to enter the market.
In Regina, the market experienced a slight seasonal slowdown through July, as there were fewer purchasers in the market due to summer vacations. In August, activity resumed to the busy pace previously seen in the spring months, as the influx of purchasers made it more difficult to find a home due to the shortage of available inventory.
Activity in Saskatoon remained brisk as the market maintained its momentum from the busy spring sales period. The economy in Saskatoon remains vibrant, as employment opportunities are abundant with many businesses struggling to make hires and having to recruit outside the province.
Calgary's housing market recorded blazing average house price increases in the third quarter, in all surveyed categories. The burgeoning economy, low unemployment rates and low inventory levels remained the leading factors that pressured Calgary's house prices upwards. However, regardless of the soaring prices that characterized the market - even during the typically slower summer season - it is expected that activity will become slightly more balanced, as buyers are becoming more reluctant to participate in the frenetic activity.
Edmonton's booming local economy continued to thrive in the third quarter as activity in the oil sands north of the city continued to flourish. Edmonton remained the hub of activity for those coming to work in the oil industry, maintaining tight inventory levels across the city, resulting in prices increasing at record levels. However, as inventory levels continued to improve in the third quarter the rate of price appreciation should moderate slightly towards the end of 2006.
While Vancouver has seen a slight reprieve from the severe shortage of inventory that had previously characterized the market, supply is still unable to meet demand, driving house prices upwards. Vancouver has a very diverse group of active buyers - from first-time home buyers to baby-boomers to foreign investors - all of whom fuel the demand for houses, placing added pressure on tight inventory levels.
Victoria's market is vibrant and supported by strong economic fundamentals, fuelled by a booming tech sector and a migration of young people into the city that has continued to support the area's house price increases; while increased inventory levels have afforded buyers more time when searching for a home, helping to normalize the market's pace.
September 29, 2006 in Toronto Real Estate Update | Permalink | Comments (3) | TrackBack
Durham Manufacturing Outlook
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lagued all summer by a high Canadian dollar and increasingly expensive energy costs, the local manufacturing industry is still managing to defy sagging provincial trends. A report by the Conference Board of Canada found that despite a general slowdown in the Ontario manufacturing industry, Durham's local sector remained steady and strong. In fact, manufacturing output grew by a healthy 5.4% last year.
Alan Arcand, author of the report, says the positive outcome means that the local sector "has been better able to adjust to a higher dollar."
The report studied 20 of Canada's largest Census Metropolitan Areas, including the Oshawa CMA -- which consists of the City of Oshawa, the Town of Whitby, and the Municipality of Clarington.
"Oshawa's doing pretty well," Mr. Arcand said. "Especially compared to economies that, like Oshawa, have a big manufacturing sector."
And although 2006 will be a year of slower growth for Oshawa, which has enjoyed 10 years of strong economic results, Mr. Arcand predicts only sunny skies for the next three years.
Beginning in 2007, the Oshawa CMA is forecast to post the strongest average annual growth rate among all CMAs in the quarterly study. The report cites two major reasons for the strong showing: steady population growth and a slowly-improving manufacturing sector.
Liisa Ikavalko, senior economic development officer for the Region, says that the local manufacturing sector has been thriving.
"It has been pretty steady and pretty busy," she said.
For General Motors, 2006 is slated as a year of transition -- with the truck plant currently being retooled to build the new generation of GM pickups and the car plant being redesigned as a flex facility -- causing manufacturing output to slow to three per cent.
But, Mr. Arcand says, it will pick up when production of the new models begins next year, reaching a strong 4 per cent in 2007. The Conference Board anticipates that output will average 3.9 per cent per year from 2008 to 2010.
Ms. Ikavalko says that the main reason for the sunny predictions is GM's announcements of future investment in Oshawa.
"One of the best things that happens in a community is when there are many of these types of investments being made and publicized, is an increase in the confidence in the community," she said. "It really does affect people in their everyday lives. You see it in spending habits, you see it in entertainment habits. People will go to the movies because they are confident they will still have a job."
September 28, 2006 in Durham Real Estate Update | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack
Licensing Duplication Averted
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he lobbying efforts of the real estate industry have succeeded in amending a provincial proposal, Bill 14, Access to Justice Act, 2005, that could have had the effect of requiring REALTORS® to be licensed by the Law Society of Upper Canada, the body responsible for regulating lawyers. Without the amendment, REALTORS® may have been considered to be providing "legal services" and would, therefore, have been subject to additional licensing requirements.
Definition of Legal Services
Bill 14 was introduced by the provincial government in October 2005, but has not yet been passed. The proposed legislation makes various changes to administrative issues regarding the justice system and the legal profession. One important change is to allow the Law Society of Upper Canada to regulate anyone providing “legal services”. Under Bill 14, a person is considered to be providing “legal services” if they select, draft, complete, or revise a document that affects a person’s interests in real property. As such, it is possible that without clarification, using this definition, REALTORS® could be considered to be providing “legal services” and therefore be subject to the requirements of Bill 14.
REALTORS® Exempted from Bill 14
Consultations were held with interested parties, including the real estate industry. The Ontario Real Estate Association represented REALTORS®, and informed the provincial government that REALTORS® are already adequately licensed and regulated. As a result of these efforts, Bill 14 will be amended to clarify that REALTORS® will not be regulated by the Law Society of Upper Canada.
September 27, 2006 in Legal Considerations | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack
Billion dollar reduction in spending
CMHC programs reduced by $45,000,000.
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he federal government has outlined $1 billion in savings it expects to make over the next two years. This commitment was made in the March 2006 Federal Budget. Another $1 billion in savings will be extracted through unidentified "tighter management" measures within the next two years.
The first $1 billion of savings will come from programs the federal government says "are not delivering value for money, programs that didn't spend all the money allocated, work that could be done more efficiently outside the government, and programs that don't meet the needs of Canadians".
Through greater "efficiencies in the administration of CMHC programs", the budget for CMHC housing programs is being reduced by $45 million over two years. In 2005, CMHC spent $658 million on housing programs. Prior to this announcement, the corporation projected $676 million in program spending for 2006. Specific details about the CMHC cuts have not been released.
The Commercial Heritage Properties Incentive Fund pilot project will end early – saving the federal government $2.9 million. This was a $30 million pilot program was created in November 2003 to encourage and support the preservation and rehabilitation of commercially viable heritage properties in Canada. Under the program, taxable Canadian corporations apply to the CHPIF to be reimbursed for 20 per cent of the eligible costs they incur to rehabilitate a historic property for commercial use – up to a maximum of $1 million.
Elimination of excess funding for real property renewal for federal government buildings will also result in savings of $5 million over two years.
The single largest saving, at almost $380 million, will be made by reclaiming unspent money. Elimination of the visitor rebate program, which allows foreign visitors to claim GST refunds, is the single largest program cut at $78.8 million. The total savings amount to less than one per cent of the federal government's program spending.
September 26, 2006 in What's next (in real estate) | Permalink | Comments (1) | TrackBack
A Passion for Property
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e all know the meaning of home, the longing for a durable habitation — shelter from the storms of life — that is bred into our bones. Home, be it ever so humble or grand, has proverbially been a man’s castle and a woman’s refuge, offering up a haven in a heartless world, an anchor for the restive and the domesticated alike. No wonder that the adorable little alien E.T. wanted ever so badly to get back to it, even though his "home" happened to be around the corner in outer space. Or that Dorothy yearned with all her might to return to the family farmhouse in Kansas. As the French philosopher Gaston Bachelard observed in his book "The Poetics of Space," the "virtues of shelter are so simple, so deeply rooted in our unconscious," that houses can be said to stand in for the poetic imagination itself. They serve as the embodiments of our inner life, Bachelard wrote, containers for fancies: "the house shelters daydreaming, the house protects the dreamer, the house allows one to dream in peace."
Or so at least used to be the case, before our collective relationship with the idea of home changed — gradually at first, as is the way of all such cultural shifts, and then ever more strikingly — into something other than it once was, something charged with an almost sexualized power, suffused with an insatiable quality of appetite. These days, it would appear that the image of home, our own solitary home, no longer suffices to hold our imaginations. Sometime during the past 10 years, beginning around the dot-com boom, we have — whether as studio dwellers or longtime renters, co-op board members or condo subletters, inhabitants of the suburbs or the cities — become, in the phrase of the Edwardian novelist John Galsworthy, men and women of property, both real and theoretical. We have, regardless of our occupations and other interests, been infected with Real Estate Lust, a condition whose symptoms include a compulsive scanning of real estate ads and an incessant discussion of who paid what for how much, as well as a fascination with the size and shape — down to the number of bedrooms, closets and bathroom windows — of apartments and houses that belong to people other than ourselves. We have wandered out when no one was looking to play in fields of ever-greater square footage, pursuing McMansion visions, getting caught up in the mindset not of proprietary homeowners but of acquisitive real estate agents and developers.
September 25, 2006 in What's next (in real estate) | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack
CRTC Clarifies Telemarketing Rights
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he Canadian Radio-Television and Telecommunications Commission has issued a Telecom Bill of Rights to help consumers better understand their existing rights with respect to local home phone services. There are no new rules in the Telecom Bill of Rights and therefore no new impact on REALTORS® telemarketing activities; however, because this initiative is expected to improve the public’s understanding of existing rules, it is important for REALTORS® to understand existing restrictions on telemarketing.
Do Not Call Registry Not Yet Implemented
The new Bill of Rights is intended as a way to communicate to consumers, in plain understandable language, what their current rights are for phone service. This is separate from the federal Do Not Call Registry, which has not yet been implemented. The CRTC is currently consulting on how to establish the Do Not Call Registry, but once it is implemented, consumers that do not want to be contacted by telemarketers would be able to list their phone number on the registry, which telemarketers, including REALTORS® would be required to adhere to or face penalties and fines.
Existing Restrictions on Telemarketing
For your information, below is a verbatim copy of the explanation of EXISTING telemarketing rules appearing in the Telecom Bill of Rights that will be provided to consumers by telephone companies.
Telemarketing rules
Subscribing to an unlisted number service or requesting that your information be removed from the lists given out by publishers of telephone directories may not be enough to stop unsolicited telephone calls. Other rules do exist to protect you from unwanted telemarketing received by means of automated calls, live calls, and faxes.
You have the right to complain to your phone company, or the CRTC, if a telemarketer does not comply with any of the following telemarketing rules. The telemarketing rules listed below are under review by the CRTC and may be subject to change. Contact the CRTC directly for up-to-date information on the telemarketing rules.
Automated calls
Automated calls make use of equipment that stores and dials telephone numbers automatically and can include a pre-recorded message that is played when the phone is answered. Automated calls cannot be used for the purpose of solicitation. This includes automated calls made on behalf of a charity, calls requesting that you hold until an operator is available, or calls referring you to a 900 or 976 number.
Automated calls are only allowed when there is no attempt to solicit, for example if you are called for public service reasons, for emergency purposes, to collect on an overdue account, or to participate in research. Such calls are only permitted from 9:30 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. on weekdays, 10:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. on Saturdays, and noon to 5:00 p.m. on Sundays. There are no hour restrictions, however, if the automated call is made for public service reasons.
Automated calls must start with a clear message telling you who is calling, including a mailing address and a local or toll-free telephone number. Automated calls must display the number where the call is coming from or an alternate contact number.
Live calls
When live telemarketers contact you, they must identify the person or organization that they represent. The telemarketer must, if you request it, provide the name, address and telephone number of a person whom you can contact. Telemarketers are required to display the number where the call is coming from or an alternate contact number.
There are no hour restrictions on live telemarketing calls.
If you do not wish a telemarketer to contact you again, you have the right to request that the telemarketer place you on its "Do not call" list. Your name and number must be removed from that telemarketer's calling list within 30 days of your request. Telemarketers are required to maintain your name on their "Do not call" lists for 3 years.
Faxes
A fax from a telemarketer must identify the person or organization on behalf of whom the fax is sent, including the name, address, telephone number and fax number of a person whom you can contact. The fax must display the number where the call is coming from or an alternate contact number. Telemarketing faxes can only be sent on weekdays between 9:00 a.m. and 9:30 p.m. and on weekends from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
If you do not wish to receive a telemarketer's faxes again, you have the right to request that the telemarketer place you on its "Do not call" list. Your name and number must be removed from that telemarketer's calling list within 7 days of your request. Telemarketers are required to maintain your name on their "Do not call" lists for 3 years.
More Information
If you would like more information on the CRTC’s Telecom Bill of Rights, visit their web site at www.crtc.gc.ca or call 1-877-249-2782.
September 25, 2006 in Legal Considerations | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack
You are SERIOUS about selling?
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efore putting your home on the market think carefully about how motivated you are to sell. Think also about the true market value of your home rather than just what you may need (or want) to get from the sale. Some people will put their home on the market at a ridiculously high price without considering the true market value. Not because they expect to sell it for that price, but because they can’t decide if they really want to sell. If a buyer is willing to pay their inflated price, it makes their decision a whole lot easier.
But, isn't that the wrong way to go about selling a property? If money were the only motivating factor, wouldn't the seller be better off considering other types of money making schemes? If a property is not "seriously" for sale it can be a waste of time or all concerned.
If you've decided put your home on the market, chances are you're caught up in a horde of emotions. You may be looking forward to trading up to your new dream home or facing the uncertainty of a major relocation to another city.
You may be hesitant to leave your memories behind or keen to start a new adventure. Whatever turbulent emotions you're experiencing right now, you need to be clear on exactly what’s motivating you to market your home.
Is the motivation there to make your real estate sale happen?
There’s that old saying, "it takes two to tango!" Well, if you’re selling through a real estate agent it might take three! You see; to bring any deal together takes a motivated buyer, a motivated seller and a skilled real estate agent.
I repeat what’s already been said - Before putting your home on the market think carefully about how motivated you really are to sell. And, research the true market value of your home rather than just what you may need (or want) to get from the sale.
The truth is; you are either going to be realistic in setting your price expectation or you’re not. That could make a big difference to what happens (or doesn’t happen) when your home goes on the market.
September 24, 2006 in Selling Toronto Real Estate | Permalink | Comments (3) | TrackBack
Real estate boosts national wealth
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ising home prices continued to boost the net worth of Canadians last spring, but some of the gain was wiped out by the steep retreat in the stock market. "Gains in household net worth stalled in the quarter, recording the lowest growth rate in seven quarters," according to a report from Statistics Canada.
"Most notably, the stock market correction was reflected in a reduction in the value of corporate shares and mutual funds, as well as limited gains in the value of pension assets," it said in releasing the quarterly balance sheet for the country. "This was only partly offset by continued advances in the value of residential real estate, with gains largely attributable to price increases."
A continued increase in household debt, combined with an only modest increase in net worth, nudged up the level of household debt to 18 cents for every dollar of net worth, leaving Canadians spending about eight per cent of their personal disposable income on debt interest payments.
Over the past 15 years, the ratio of household debt to net worth has ranged from a high of more than 19 cents on the dollar in 1990 to a low of 16 cents at the peak of the stock market boom in 2000 while the ratio of interest payments to disposable income has ranged from its current low of just under eight per cent to nearly 10 per cent in 1990.
The net worth of Canadians -- what individuals, businesses and governments own, less their net debt to foreigners -- rose a modest 1.2 per cent in the quarter to $4.7 trillion or $142,900 per person. The increase was down from the 1.6-per-cent average of the previous four quarters.
The gain in net worth resulted from an increase in national wealth, which includes all the non-financial assets in the economy, including buildings and the land surrounding them, which was partially offset by increased net foreign debt.
National wealth rose by 1.7 per cent, up from a one-per-cent increase in the previous quarter, Statistics Canada said, noting that two-thirds of that gain was due to increases in the value of residential real estate.
Government net debt also declined significantly, as governments also continued to raise more tax revenues than they needed. As a result, government net debt as a share of total economic output reached a new more than 20-year low of 45 per cent.
September 23, 2006 in Buying Toronto Real Estate | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack
Consultations on MLS rule changes
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he real estate Boards and Associations of The Canadian Real Estate Association have voted overwhelmingly to continue discussion and research to find a national consensus on resolution of MLS® trade mark issues. A series of proposed MLS® rule changes were presented at a CREA Special Assembly in Halifax on September 20th, but the recommendations were referred to the Association Board of Directors for further study and consultation. A report to members will next be provided during the CREA Annual Meeting in March 2007.
The Canadian Real Estate Association owns the Multiple Listing Service® and MLS® trade marks in Canada. The trademarks are licensed to CREA members for use in the marketing of real property.
"The proposed amendments to the MLS® rules presented at the CREA Special Assembly in Halifax were developed to protect the trade mark, and for no other reason" said Alan Tennant, FRI, President of The Canadian Real Estate Association.
"Some reports have suggested the proposed rules would mean higher fees for consumers, or the elimination of some real estate broker business models. The MLS® Rules and the proposed amendments do not restrict or determine the fees or commissions that REALTORS® may charge. They are also flexible enough to permit a wide range of business models for real estate," the CREA President added. "This is a trade mark issue".
"The proposed amendments, prepared with the guidance of expert legal counsel, were recommended to CREA as the best way to protect the MLS® trade marks."
CREA considers the MLS® and Multiple Listing Service® trade marks as highly valuable assets. Under its Rules, as the sole owner of the trade marks, CREA has the right as well as the obligation to ensure compliance with the conditions governing the use of the MLS® trade marks.
The Multiple Listing Service® has been a valuable real estate tool in Canada for more than fifty years. There have always been three "pillars" or basic requirements for a listing to qualify for inclusion on a real estate Board’s Multiple Listing Service®. It is CREA’s view that consumers and REALTORS® both benefit from these basic features of MLS®.
The three existing requirements or "pillars" for a listing to qualify for the Multiple Listing Service include some offer of compensation between REALTORS®; continuous agency relationship during the term of the MLS® listing; and accuracy of information. If a listing goes into the Multiple Listing Service®, a member REALTOR® is required to verify the accuracy of information in the listing.
Canadian consumers have also relied on the MLS® trade marks for generations as signifying highly professional and ethical real estate services. REALTORS® in Canada have spent hundreds of millions of dollars advertising their services in association with the MLS® trade marks.
"The more extensive the requirements or pillars to qualify as an MLS® listing, the better CREA would be to defend the MLS® trade marks," Association President Alan Tennant added. "At the same time, we realize that this has to be balanced against minimizing any potential Competition Act concerns. It was the Association’s view the proposed amendments strike an appropriate balance between what we would like to see to protect the trade marks, and what could lead to Competition Act issues."
September 22, 2006 in What's next (in real estate) | Permalink | Comments (1) | TrackBack
