Competition Tribunal Dismisses Case against TREB
Posted by: Toronto Real Estate Admin / Category: Toronto Realtor
Competition Tribunal Dismisses Case against TREB
April 16, 2013 – On April 15, the Competition Tribunal
announced that it has dismissed an Application initiated by the Commissioner of
Competition against the Toronto Real Estate Board (TREB), and ordered costs
payable by the Commissioner of Competition to TREB.
The Competition Tribunal
stated that its decision is based on its finding that the Toronto Real Estate
Board was clearly not acting anti-competitively.
“The Tribunal’s decision
was the right decision,” said Ann Hannah, President of TREB. “TREB and its
Members will continue to offer the highest possible quality real estate service
without sacrificing the privacy rights of consumers.”
This is a substantive
decision which unequivocally allows TREB to continue with its current Virtual
Office Website (VOW) policy. These VOWs allow consumers to access REALTOR®
Members’ secure password-protected websites displaying MLS® listing data. TREB
is increasing access and competition while safeguarding the privacy rights of
consumers.
Throughout the hearings,
TREB stood up for the privacy rights of consumers and will continue to do so.
The result reinforces that protecting privacy is not anti-competitive.
“TREB fought against the
Competition Bureau’s actions that would have forced TREB to dismantle the
safeguards of the MLS® system,” said Von Palmer, Chief Privacy Officer.
“TREB and its Members
have a moral and legal obligation to protect consumers’ personal information.
Privacy matters, so we fought back.”
TREB appreciates the
efforts and support of The Canadian Real Estate Association on the matter.
TREB is committed to
protecting the quality of the MLS® system and the superior service TREB Members
offer their clients while safeguarding the privacy rights of consumers.
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_case_dismissed.htm
Tags: Toronto Realtor