Foundation of the Ottawa Real Estate Board
In 1919, a group of dedicated real estate practitioners banded together to the Ottawa Real Estate Board (OREB). Incorporated on July 9, 1921, our Board was one of Canada’s first real estate boards.
This small group of men and women had a vision and recognized the necessity of honest service to the public and well-organized real estate development. Their high ethical standards and professional business practices firmly established the solid foundation of our Board.
Establishing Provincial Legislation
Originally established as the Ontario Association of Real Estate Boards, the Ontario Real Estate Association (OREA) was formed 21 years later. Prior to the formation of OREA, there was no legislation governing or regulating the trading of real estate or formal educational courses available; anyone could sell real estate.
Recognizing the necessity of establishing legislation to improve the services available to Buyers and Sellers of real estate, our Board fully supported the efforts of the Ontario association in advocating provincial legislation. As a result, today, Members are governed by the Real Estate and Business Brokers’ Act 2002 (REBBA 2002), requiring all Ontario real estate practitioners to be Registered.
REALTOR® Code of Ethics
The Real Estate Council of Ontario (RECO) was established in 1997 due to the mutual desire of the government and the real estate industry to enhance professionalism, increase consumer protection and provide an effective, efficient and responsive regulatory framework. RECO administers and enforces REBBA 2002 and its Code of Ethics on behalf of the Ontario Ministry of Government and Consumer Services.
Real estate practitioners are now recognized as professionals who have met the educational requirements of the Province to trade in real estate and are bound by a strict Code of Ethics.
OREB’s Advocacy Efforts
The needs of our community have always been a principal focus of OREB. Accordingly, one of the Board’s prime objectives, as stated in the preamble to its earliest By-Laws, is:
“Generally to assist in the development of the City of Ottawa and its environs along the lines best calculated to promote this prosperity and wealth of greater Ottawa and its inhabitants.”
For years, through its lobbying efforts, the Board has been instrumental in making changes on a number of issues that affect real estate professionals and consumers.
Our Board has consistently taken a leadership role in its advocacy efforts on behalf of REALTORS® and their clients – locally, provincially, and national.
Our 100-Year Legacy
The Ottawa Board has always been an established leader of organized real estate in Canada and it is a tribute to its membership, both past and present, that it is recognized as such. In its nearly century-long history, the Board has exhibited a remarkable ability to meet the changing needs of society and our local community.
Throughout the past 100 years, our Members have demonstrated professionalism, passion and great work ethic. During this time, we have helped a countless number of our neighbours, friends and fellow residents buy and sell their homes, cottages and investment properties, which has ultimately lead to development and positive growth in our communities.
