RAE/CREB® Merger Discussions

Can I read the merger proposal?

• There is no current proposal. As explained in the notification that went out on May 21, 2026, this is a heads-up that a conversation is starting.
• More details will be shared with members when available.

CREB® and RAE are very different. How does a merger make sense?

• The value of a merger will need to be readily apparent for the members of both organizations to move forward for member approval.
• We agree that our two organizations are different in many ways, but we are also very much aligned in our focus on serving members and maximizing your impact on the real estate market.
• The unique cultures of both organizations will need to be preserved and enhanced for this to ultimately make sense to the members.

Is CREB® merging with RAE?

• A key part of the due diligence will be determining what the optimal structure will be, which will be decided on by the members of both organizations.

Has a decision already been made?

• The only decision that has been made is for the two boards to engage in discussion and exploration of a potential merger. The notification to members is to provide notice that a conversation is starting at the Board of Directors level.

Who initiated this conversation — CREB® or RAE?

• The RAE very recently approached the CREB® leadership to start a conversation and the CREB® Board of Directors agreed to engage in the discussion.
• The Boards also agreed that the first step had to be to inform our members of this work.

Does this mean RAE or CREB® will dissolve or be taken over?

• We will need to decide the outcome of both organizations based on the best overall structure for each entity and their members.

What is the general timeline for exploration?

• We are anticipating the decision will be made by our members about a year from now, which provides a reasonable amount of time for research, documentation and engagement.

Is a consultant being used and if so, who is it?

• We have begun the process to identify a consultant and will provide that information once it is available.

When can members expect more information?

• Very soon. Our first step is to build a robust member consultation plan.
• To support this, we will be engaging an experienced consultant to help design the approach and guide engagement with members and both Boards throughout the process.

What is the next step?

• The first step in the process was informing that this conversation is starting.
• The next step will be selecting an experienced consultant to assist with building a robust member consultation plan that is built around member engagement, expectations and needs. Further communications on this will be coming in the near future.

What is direct membership with CREA?

• A few years ago, CREA’s rules and bylaws were updated to enable Canadian real estate boards to apply to bypass their provincial association and become direct members in CREA.
• This is a fairly involved process that requires the members of the applying board to approve of the business case presented to ensure their needs are met provincially.

Does direct membership require a merger?

• It does not, but to be transparent and in response to feedback and questions raised by some members regarding the current litigation AREA has brought against CREB® and RAE, this option is being put before our members to decide if it’s the best structure for the future.

Is RAE or CREB® already pursuing direct membership?

• This would be the first time any board in Canada has initiated this option.

Will members be invited to participate?

• Yes, the creation of cohesive merger plan will involve several specifically focussed joint working groups as well as the engagement of a third-party consultant.
• We plan to create a robust member and stakeholder engagement plan through the merger exploration process that will include a series of town hall meetings and the use of a merger portal that will include FAQs and member input options.

Will members have a vote on any merger?

• Yes, both Board of Directors are committed to this being a decision made by members.

What happens if members vote no?

• A no vote would mean business as usual and both organizations would learn from the experience.
• Further direction would be provided by each of the Board of Directors.

What assurances exist that member value comes first?

• This is the foundation of a successful member organization, constant and never-ending focus on enhancing the value members receive for their membership.

What happens if this is not approved?

• If, at the end of the exploration process we are not confident in a merger proposal, we will not proceed to a member vote.

Why are members being told now if details aren’t known?

• We know our members—no one appreciates surprises, and even less so being told what to do.
• At the same time, many want to engage in the process in their own way, so the best place to start is with transparency from the outset.

What is all this going to cost and are my dues and fees going to go up to cover it?

• The costs will be determined by the scope of our work and the amount we rely on consultants and subject matter experts.
• For both organizations, while these are unbudgeted expenditures, the costs will be manageable and not be passed along to members.

What would change if CREB® and RAE merge?

 Would my fees and dues change?

• There will be no change to fees and dues at this stage – the Boards of Directors have only agreed to begin discussions.
• Our starting point is that member costs should go down if there is a merger. CREA requires that members be provided the business case for the alternative provincial service model and that case would be most compelling if it provided the same or better services for the same or lower costs. That will be determined over the coming months.

Would MLS® access or rules change?

• That is a topic for discussion.
• The ideal outcome of a merged organization would be to have an enhanced and unified MLS® experience, but some further rules harmonization may be needed.

Will services change in the near term?

• In the near-term, it will be business as usual.
• If members approve a merger, the ideal outcome would be to have enhanced products, services and support for unified membership.
• The comprehensive merger plan that is developed will explicitly detail member services and costs

Does anything change for how I do business today?

• Our goals for this conversation and if approved, for the transition to a merged state to be as frictionless as possible.
• We all know that in life and business, some friction is needed to move forward, but our goal is for you to only have positive impacts on your business and your interactions with us.

How is this different from the proposed merger of CREB® with AREA three years ago?

• That consolidation has some similarities in that two organizations were becoming one, but it had to be in a different structure.
• AREA comes under the Societies Act of Alberta and CREB®’s constating legislation is the Cooperatives Act of Alberta. It is not possible for two organizations under different legislation to consolidate.
• RAE is also under the Cooperatives Act of Alberta which may simplify this to a degree, and provide additional possible structures.
• We need to do more research to understand the pros and cons and determine the best structure to bring forward to members.

Why is direct membership in CREA part of this?

• In creating a new joint value proposition, our goals are to ensure the merged entity meets or exceeds current member needs and benefits.
• Given the current challenges both boards have been presented from AREA and the fact that AREA has been excluding CREB® and RAE from services and benefits, it may be time for our members to decide on the provincial structure that works best for them.

Is merging with AREA still an option?

• While anything is possible, no merger with AREA is currently being considered.

How does this impact the current litigation?

• The litigation process is a separate matter and we will continue to respect that process and seek an appropriate conclusion.

What happens to RAE and CREB® staff?

• Both organizations have assembled teams of talented individuals who are committed, skilled and valued.
• There will be NO direct impact to staff in either organization during the discussions and the planning phases.
• While it is hard to anticipate what staffing levels might be required for a new organization, we would expect the most changes to be made at the leadership level of each organization.
• Both are lean operations with unique regional needs that will continue to be supported.
• We recognize that this process may be stressful for staff and the potential future state may not be the best fit for everyone.
• Our focus throughout this discovery process will always be on providing great value to our members.

What will happen to the CREB® and RAE offices?

• If the members of CREB® and RAE approve a merger, there will be no changes to the existing CREB® and RAE offices.

Who can I talk to about this?

The contact information for the leadership of both organizations is provided below.

RAE Chair Darlene Reid – darlene@morerealty.ca

RAE Chair-Elect Chris Hedstrom – chris@hedstromgroup.com

RAE CEO Larry Westergard – larry.westergard@therae.com