E.B.Dungey Realty Ltd. Brokerage

TREB President’s Column as it appears every Friday in the Toronto Sun’s Resale Homes and Condos section.

June 21, 2013 –
Feeling there was a void of recognition for the great cityscape that the commercial building industry has afforded the GTA, Greater Toronto REALTORS® established the Toronto Real Estate Board (TREB) Commercial Building Awards last year.

Last year’s program was positively successful, and the winning entries were Habitat for Humanity Toronto in the new building category and Birchstone Centre in the retrofit class. And if last year’s award recipients were any indication of what’s to come, the judges will have a tough decision ahead of them.

For this column, I have invited the Chair of our association’s Commercial Division Cynthia Lai, to tell you more about the 2013  Commercial Building Awards.

As TREB’s Commercial Chair, it is with great pleasure that on behalf of the Commercial Division, we announce the call for nominations. The Commercial Division has given the Greater Toronto Area the opportunity to nominate projects as part of the TREB Commercial Building Awards. Projects can be nominated in various categories such as Green, Industrial, Multi-Use, Institutional and Retail.

Nominated buildings, which must be located within TREB’s jurisdiction and have been completed between January 2010 and November 2012, will be evaluated based on various criteria.  These include the project’s sensitivity to the environment, its design and innovation, and its success in answering a specific developmental need in the community.

A panel of judges will visit each of the nominated projects to assess overall exterior design and determine how each fits into its surrounding area. Once each of the sites has been visited, the judges will meet to select one new and one retrofit building for a 2013 TREB Commercial Building Award.

The selected projects will be announced at a special awards ceremony that will take place at the Toronto Real Estate Board offices February 27, 2014.

By recognizing outstanding accomplishments in new and retrofit Commercial buildings we hope to inspire others to continue to strive for excellence, as doing so contributes to the quality of life throughout the GTA and to our city’s strong international reputation.

When we work together to make ours a better city, and take the time to recognize such efforts, we all win. I look forward to keeping everyone up-to-date on the awards and this year’s winners!

Ann Hannah is President of the Toronto Real Estate Board,
a professional association that represents 36,000 REALTORS®
in the Greater Toronto Area.

Follow TREB on www.twitter.com/TREBhome, www.Facebook.com/TorontoRealEstateBoard and www.youtube.com/TREBChannel

Article source: http://www.torontorealestateboard.com/market_news/president_columns/pres_sun_col/index.htm

New Poll Shows Continued Strong Public Support For Eliminating Toronto Land Transfer Tax

TORONTO, June 14, 2013 – With the City of Toronto’s Executive Committee expected to review a City staff report on options for phasing out the Toronto Land Transfer Tax in coming weeks, a new poll is showing strong public support for eliminating this tax.

“The public continues to feel strongly that the Land Transfer Tax should be scrapped.  Torontonians know that the land transfer tax is bad for our City, and they want City Council to follow through on commitments to phase it out,” said Ann Hannah, President of the Toronto Real Estate Board (TREB).

The poll was conducted by Ipsos Reid, between May 10, 2013 and May 22, 2013, and found that,

• Two-thirds (65%) of Torontonians support plans to eliminate the Toronto Land Transfer Tax;

• Support for eliminating the land transfer tax with a gradual phase-out approach, as suggested by Mayor Ford, is strong (65%);

• 90% of recent home buyers feel that they received little or no added value in municipal services for the Land Transfer Tax that they paid to the City;

• 74% of home buyers in Toronto and the Greater Toronto Area say they are more likely to purchase a home outside of Toronto specifically because of the Toronto Land Transfer Tax;

• 65% of home buyers who currently live in Toronto say they are more likely to leave Toronto, when they purchase their next home, specifically because of the Toronto Land Transfer Tax;

“The Land Transfer Tax has hurt Toronto for long enough. We have been speaking out against this tax for some time and we will keep doing so until City Council takes action. We’re proud of our efforts to stand up for the public and inform them on this issue, and we will keep doing so. The public expects action on this unfair tax before the next municipal election,” said Von Palmer, Chief Government and Public Affairs Officer for TREB.

A study published last fall, by the C.D. Howe Institute, found that the Toronto Land Transfer Tax is directly responsible for dampening home sales in Toronto by 16 percent.   This equates to over 5,000 lost housing sales, including condominiums.  A separate study, conducted by the Altus Group, determined that every resale housing transaction results in over $40,000 in spinoff spending on things like movers, renovations, furniture, and appliances.

“Home ownership is a worthy goal and City Council should not be making it more difficult to achieve.   City Council can, and should, move forward with a responsible phase-out of the Land Transfer Tax,” added Palmer.

For this survey, a sample of 1,012 adults from Ipsos’ Canadian online panel was interviewed online, of which 606 live in Toronto proper and 406 live in the surrounding 905 region. Weighting was then employed to balance demographics to ensure that the sample’s composition reflects that of the adult population according to Census data and to provide results intended to approximate the sample universe. The precision of Ipsos online polls are measured using a credibility interval.  In this case, the poll is accurate to within +/-3.5 percentage points, 19 times out of 20, of what the results would have been had the entire population of adults in the GTA been polled, +/- 4.6 percentage points of all Torontonians, and +/- 5.5 percentage points of all those living in the surrounding areas of the GTA.  With regard to prospective homebuyers in the GTA region, the poll is accurate to within +/- 9.3 percentage points of all prospective homebuyers in Toronto proper, and +/- 10.7 percentage points of all prospective homebuyers in the surrounding GTA. 

For information about Buyer Representation Agreements
(BRA) visit www.BRAFirst.ca

For Media/Public Inquiries: Mary Gallagher, Senior
Manager Media Relations.

Toronto
Real Estate Board 1400 Don Mills Road Toronto, ON M3B 3N1, Office: (416)
443-8158, Email:maryg@trebnet.com

Greater Toronto REALTORS are passionate about their work.
They adhere to a strict Code of Ethics and share a state-of-the-art Multiple
Listing Service. Serving over 36,000 Members in the Greater Toronto Area,
the Toronto Real Estate Board is Canadas largest real estate board. Greater
Toronto Area open house listings are available on www.TorontoRealEstateBoard.com

Article source: http://www.torontorealestateboard.com/market_news/release_market_updates/news2013/nr_ltt_poll_0613.htm

ST. THOMAS, ON, June 14, 2013 — The governments of Canada and Ontario celebrated today the conversion of a building in downtown St. Thomas, into transitional housing for men at risk of homelessness.

Joe Preston, Member of Parliament for Elgin-Middlesex-London, on behalf of the Honourable Diane Finley, Minister of Human Resources and Skills Development and Minister Responsible for Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC); Deb Matthews, Member of Provincial Parliament for London North Centre, on behalf of the Honourable Linda Jeffrey, Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing; and Heather Jackson, Mayor of the City of St. Thomas, made the announcement.

“Our government is pleased to be a partner of Second Story,” said MP Preston “The creation of this transition housing means that men at risk of homelessness in St. Thomas will have a safe and supportive place to live, as well as the services they need to begin a new chapter in their lives.” We remain focused on four priorities, as outlined by the Prime Minister, that Canadians care most about: their families, the safety of our streets and communities, their pride in being a citizen of this country, and of course, their personal financial security.”

“I’m delighted our government is investing in additional affordable housing in St. Thomas,” said MPP  Matthews. “Housing is simply essential to the well-being of Ontario’s families. This much needed project will provide people with a safe, affordable and accessible place where they can live, thrive and be a part of their community.”

“Second Story on Talbot would not be possible without financial support from various levels of government,” said St. Thomas Mayor Heather Jackson. “The City of St. Thomas is very grateful to the federal and provincial governments for providing financial assistance under the Investment in Affordable Housing program. Second Story on Talbot will provide much-needed housing and supports for residents of St. Thomas and Elgin as they transition from homelessness to permanent housing.”

The $300,000 investment provided by the federal and provincial governments has been used to create seven new housing units located at Second Story, a converted historic commercial building at 657 Talbot Street. Second Story is owned by the Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA) and operated by the YWCA. As part of the conversion, residents will have access to two new sitting rooms as well as a new communal kitchen. An additional $10,000 of Seed funding was provided by CMHC during the initial planning stage of the project. The funding comes as a result of the recently announced $481 million Investment in Affordable Housing 2011 – 2014 Agreement between the Governments of Canada and Ontario.

“This project is a wonderful example of community partnership involving CMHA Elgin, the YWCA, and all three levels of government,” said Heather DeBruyn, Executive Director of CMHA Elgin. “CMHA Elgin was happy to be able to offer the space for the new men’s transitional residence.”

“There has been a transitional housing gap in Elgin County for over a decade,” said Marla Champion, Executive Director of YWCA St. Thomas-Elgin. “The YWCA St. Thomas-Elgin is thrilled to partner with Canadian Mental Health Association to develop this much-needed resource for the community.”

The Government of Canada, through CMHC, will invest approximately $2 billion in housing this year. Of this amount, $1.7 billion will be spent in support close to 594,000 households living in existing social housing. In Ontario, this represents an estimated 237,950 households. These investments are improving the quality of life for low-income Canadians and households living in existing social housing, including individuals who are homeless or at risk of homelessness, seniors, persons with disabilities, recent immigrants and Aboriginal people.

Ontario continues to build new affordable housing and repair existing units for Ontarians with housing needs. Since 2003, Ontario’s funding commitment of nearly $3 billion is the largest affordable housing program in the province’s history. Ontario is supporting the creation of over 17,000 affordable rental housing units; making more than 263,000 repairs and improvements to social and affordable housing units; and providing rental down payment assistance to over 81,000 households in need. The province’s Long-Term Affordable Housing Strategy sets a strong foundation for a more efficient, accessible affordable housing system in Ontario.

Affordable housing is a key component of Ontario’s Poverty Reduction Strategy. To find out more about affordable housing in Ontario, visit www.ontario.ca/housing. For more information about affordable housing in St. Thomas, visit www.city.st-thomas.on.ca.

To find out more about how the Government of Canada and CMHC are working to build stronger homes and communities for all Canadians, call CMHC at 1-800-668-2642.

Media contacts:

Dean D’Souza
CMHC
416-250-2760

Jan O’Driscoll
Office of Minister Finley
819-994-2482

Yanni Dagonas
Office of Minister Jeffrey
416-585-6853

Elizabeth Sebestyen
City of St. Thomas
519-631-9350, Ext.: 126

For more information visit:

www.cmhc-schl.gc.ca
www.ontario.ca/housing
www.city.st-thomas.on.ca

Article source: http://www.cmhc.ca/en/corp/nero/nere/2013/2013-06-14-1530.cfm

Mayor Ford to Attend Toronto Real Estate Boards Civic Working Together Luncheon

TORONTO, June 13, 2013 – Media representatives are invited to attend the
Toronto Real Estate Board’s Civic Working Together Luncheon/Gathering For
Giving Luncheon on Friday, June 14, 2013 at Sheraton Hotel, Toronto.

What:               TREB Civic
Working Together/Gathering For Giving Luncheon

·        

Remarks by Toronto Mayor Rob Ford

·        

“Toronto Speaks” – exclusive and timely Ipsos
Reid polling results on Toronto issues

·        

Dignitaries from all levels of governments

·        

TREB recognition of Greater Toronto shelter
related charities (grant recipients)

·        

Scholarship Presentations

When:              June
14, 2013 at 12pm – 2:00pm

Where:             Sheraton Toronto, Hall E

123 Queen St.

Toronto, Ontario

M5H 2M9

Please RSVP at Helen Leung heleung@trebnet.com

TREB Contact for interviews: Von
Palmer at 416-277-7381

PLEASE CHECK IN –ask for Mauro
Ritacca

For information about Buyer Representation Agreements
(BRA) visit www.BRAFirst.ca

For Media/Public Inquiries: Mary Gallagher, Senior
Manager Media Relations.

Toronto
Real Estate Board 1400 Don Mills Road Toronto, ON M3B 3N1, Office: (416)
443-8158, Email:maryg@trebnet.com

Greater Toronto REALTORS are passionate about their work.
They adhere to a strict Code of Ethics and share a state-of-the-art Multiple
Listing Service. Serving over 36,000 Members in the Greater Toronto Area,
the Toronto Real Estate Board is Canadas largest real estate board. Greater
Toronto Area open house listings are available on www.TorontoRealEstateBoard.com

Article source: http://www.torontorealestateboard.com/market_news/release_market_updates/news2013/nr_ford_at_cwtl_0613.htm

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Article source: http://www.cmhc.ca/en/corp/nero/nere/2013/upload/2013_06_10_0815_EOT.pdf

COUNTY OF OXFORD, February 10, 2009 — The Government of Canada, the Government of Ontario, and the County of Oxford today announced more than $1.5 million in funding for affordable housing. The funding will help create 15 new affordable rental units in Tillsonburg and provide down payment assistance to 63 households in the County of Oxford.

The announcement was made by Dave MacKenzie, Member of Parliament for Oxford, on behalf of the Honourable Diane Finley, Minister of Human Resources and Social Development Canada and Minister Responsible for Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC); John Wilkinson, MPP for Perth – Wellington and Minister of Research and Innovation, on behalf of the Honourable Jim Watson, Ontario’s Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing; and County of Oxford Warden Paul Holbrough.

“The Government of Canada is committed to making affordable housing available in Ontario and across Canada for those who need it most,” said MP MacKenzie. “Through this investment, we are making an important difference in the lives of low-income renters, low-income seniors and individuals with physical disabilities in the County of Oxford who are working towards build a stronger and better future for themselves.”

“Access to safe and affordable housing is crucial to the economic and social well-being of Ontario’s communities,” said Minister Wilkinson. “The McGuinty government continues to work with our housing partners to grow the supply of affordable housing in the County of Oxford and across the province.”

The $1.55 million allocation includes:

• $1.05 million for a 15-unit project in Tillsonburg. The project is sponsored by the E E McLaughlin Ltd. in Trust, and the units will be occupied by low-income seniors and individuals with physical disabilities.
• $538,670 in down-payment assistance for 63 households in the County of Oxford under the Homeownership component of the program which provides down-payment assistance for low-income renters to enter the housing market and purchase homes.

The federal and provincial allocations are complemented by more than $136,000 in municipal financial contributions.

“The development of affordable housing remains a priority for the County of Oxford,” said Warden Holbrough. “The cooperative efforts of all levels of government must continue to address this fundamental need in all communities. We look forward to continuing this work with our public, private and not for profit partners.”

The Canada – Ontario Affordable Housing Program comprises a commitment of $301 million from each of the two senior levels of government. In total, the federal, provincial and municipal governments will invest at least $734 million in the program, which will provide affordable housing for 20,000 households in Ontario. Under the AHP, every region in Ontario has been allocated a specific amount of funding to assist low to moderate-income rental households to purchase affordable homes through interest-free down-payment assistance loans.

Media Inquiries:

For more information visit: www.ontario.ca/housing

Article source: http://www.cmhc.ca/en/corp/nero/nere/2009/2009-02-10-1000c.cfm

TREB President’s Column as it appears every Friday in the Toronto Sun’s Resale Homes and Condos section.

May 31, 2013 –
Every day, all over our city, Greater Toronto REALTORS® are not only guiding people through the home buying and selling process, they’re contributing to the quality of life for which our city is internationally known.

Mississauga REALTORS® Lorne and Aneta Andrews, have personally contributed to improving the outlook for young people in our city. In recent years, they offered hundreds of volunteer hours annually to support the PACT Urban Peace Program, helping more than 100 youth last year alone, with similar charitable contributions in previous years.

Borne out of an initiative to prevent family violence, the PACT Urban Peace Program is an award-winning Canadian charity that offers life skills community service projects for at-risk youth, including those in conflict with the law.

Powerhouse of Terror was an annual charity haunt that was held in Mimico. Through the PACT Haunted Theatre program, teens helped create sets and costumes, and even operate the attraction.

Although the Powerhouse of Terror has seen its last haunt, it delivered such successful results that the PACT Urban Peace Program’s costume design program will continue this spring as the organization sources opportunities to connect with other haunts.

Pickering/Ajax REALTOR® Norman Jones, also has a soft spot for young people. He is part of a group of east-end REALTORS® who have met every Wednesday for the past 25 years to share breakfast and showcase their listings. Through the group, Jones has chaired a committee to support the Sunshine Kids Foundation, which funds trips for children who are battling cancer, offering them the opportunity to connect with other young people facing similar challenges.

One trip, in 2011, took a group of five teens to Las Vegas, all of whom had either already undergone or were currently undergoing extensive chemotherapy. While in Las Vegas, their activities included visiting the Hoover Dam and taking in shows featuring Cirque de Soleil and the Blue Man Group.

Another trip that year, took two teenage girls diagnosed with Acute Myeloid Leukemia to New York City where they met other Sunshine Kids, visited the Empire State Building, went on a cruise to Liberty Island, met the anchors of ABC’s Today Show and took in several Broadway shows, meeting various cast members as well.

Jones estimates his Committee has raised thousands of dollars in the past eight years. This year, he has set a goal of raising $30,000 primarily through an annual dance and silent auction, which takes place at Cedarbrook Community Centre on June 7.

Newmarket/Aurora area REALTOR® Eric McCartney, also works to brighten the lives of those less fortunate. In recent years he has contributed to a door-to-door fundraising campaign in support of the York Region North Heart and Stroke Foundation and served as a team captain for Big Bike, an event in which riders pedal through communities in support of the cause.

He even developed a website to raise awareness of his team’s efforts for the Heart and Stroke Foundation, which supports approximately 900 leading researchers and teams in hospitals and universities. Last year, for the fourth consecutive year, his team won the Heart Stroke Newmarket BIG Bike Team Spirit Award. Throughout the past five years, the team has raised thousands of dollars, and would like to raise even more when the team rides through Newmarket on June 7.

Mr. McCartney also supports the community through a number of other activities such as visiting seniors’ homes with his therapy dog and contributing to neighbourhood clean-up efforts.

The next time you talk with a Greater Toronto REALTOR®, ask about the causes they support – you’re sure to be inspired.

Ann Hannah is President of the Toronto Real Estate Board,
a professional association that represents 36,000 REALTORS®
in the Greater Toronto Area.

Follow TREB on www.twitter.com/TREBhome, www.Facebook.com/TorontoRealEstateBoard and www.youtube.com/TREBChannel

Article source: http://www.torontorealestateboard.com/market_news/president_columns/pres_sun_col/index.htm