Bylaw amendments
Members voted on and approved all four of the bylaw amendments that were proposed:
• 6.2 Election and Term: The voting window in board elections was extended from 24 hours to 72 hours.
• 6.4 Composition of the Board: The brokerage representation limit on the board of directors was increased from two directors from the same brokerage to three.
• 6.4 Composition of the Board: The franchise representation limit on the board of directors was increased from three directors from the same franchise to four.
• 2.4 Bylaw Amendment: Reference to a position at Service Alberta was updated from “Director” to “Registrar.”
Click here to read more about the bylaw changes that members voted on.
Recognition of retiring directors
At this year’s AGM, we recognized two CREB® directors whose terms have come to an end. We thank them for their service and commitment and wish them the best.
• Lori Olijnyk, CREB® Director from 2020 to 2025
• Marco De Iaco, CREB®’s first Public Director from 2024 to 2026
2025 Annual Report
If you haven't already, we encourage you to read CREB®’s 2025 annual report for a full review of CREB®'s, CIBS’ and the CREB® REALTOR® Community Foundation’s achievements last year.
For past AGM meeting minutes, audited financial statements and other important AGM documents, visit the AGM page on CREB®Link.
Online Q&A
We thank all attendees who asked questions. Due to time constraints, some questions from online attendees were not answered before the AGM closed. We are pleased to provide answers to those questions below.
Q: Who are the scrutineers for board of director elections?
A: Associate CEO Lisa Latchford and Chief Corporate Services Officer Tammy England are serving as election scrutineers. They were selected based on their skills, experience, and arm’s length position from the election cycle and its associated processes. This helps ensure an objective review of all stages of the election, including verification of notice, nomination, and voting outcomes. As it relates to election matters, CREB® has strong internal controls including a member-led Audit & Finance Standing Committee. Election processes are also regularly reviewed by our Governance Standing Committee and Board Development & Leadership Standing Committee.
Q: Can the board share if there is evidence or data to support that extending the voting window to 72 hours may increase member participation? Has that work been done?
A: At this time, there is no data indicating that extending the voting window to 72 hours will increase member participation. The proposed bylaw amendment was brought forward to provide members with additional flexibility and opportunity to participate in the voting process.
The Board Development and Leadership Standing Committee (BDLSC) deliberated on the extension of the voting window on multiple occasions and ultimately determined that the extension from 24 hours to 72 hours was an appropriate balance.
Along with this recommendation, the BDLSC outlined the importance of reviewing this change to measure the impact of the extended voting window on voter engagement. A communications strategy will also be developed to raise awareness and continue supporting member participation in future votes.
Q: What resources or evidence has the board presented to indicate that the composition rules have caused a reduction in participation?
A: At this time, the Board does not have quantitative or statistical evidence demonstrating that the composition rules directly caused a reduction in participation. It is not possible to conclusively measure this impact, as members who were ineligible under the existing rules may have self selected not to seek nomination based on those eligibility requirements. As a result, the Governance Standing Committee’s assessment was informed by observed outcomes and experience rather than formal participation data.
Recent election cycles provided practical examples of these limitations. The November 2025 election presented challenges due to the number of eligible candidates from a single franchise competing for a limited number of Board positions. Similarly, the December 2025 by election did not receive any eligible candidates, as those who had expressed interest were ineligible under the existing composition restrictions.
Further information on this bylaw amendment can be found here.
We have also seen several occasions in the past five years where a candidate receiving a higher number of votes had to be set aside due to bylaw restrictions. The board and standing committees felt this was an important change to embrace a best-person philosophy. As always, we remain committed to ongoing improvement and evaluating how these changes are working in practice.
Q: Can you share why directors are leaving?
A: Directors resign and are very occasionally removed from roles for many reasons, and those reasons are private information to that individual. CREB® respects the privacy of directors who choose to step away from volunteer service and does not disclose their reasons.
To minimize director turnover, CREB® has a number of processes in place to ensure potential new directors are fully aware of the expectations and requirements of the director role. Plus, we have an extensive onboarding program that includes peer support and professional development investments.
Q: How does increasing brokerage/franchise concentration on the board address member concerns about transparency, director resignations, litigation, and lack of trust? Is this solving participation, or avoiding a failure in governance?
A: We see these as separate issues, and it’s important not to conflate them.
The proposed amendment to the brokerage and franchise limits was intended to ensure that qualified and capable members are not excluded from board service solely because a numerical threshold has been reached. Broadening eligibility supports stronger participation and helps ensure the board benefits from the best available talent, regardless of brokerage or franchise affiliation. This change is about inclusion and representation—not avoiding scrutiny or accountability.
From time to time, questions arise about director resignations or legal matters. These circumstances do not, on their own, signal a failure in governance. Board decisions are made thoughtfully, in good faith, and with appropriate advice where required. As these matters reach their natural conclusions, and where disclosure is permitted, members will have the opportunity to review the outcomes directly. Directors also step down or very occasionally are removed for a variety of reasons, and CREB® respects their privacy.
CREB® values transparency and trust. While questions have been raised by a small number of members, we believe it is important to respond thoughtfully. Transparency means sharing the right information at the right time particularly when legal processes are ongoing. Good governance also means listening to all perspectives, following established policy and process, and making decisions that serve the long term interests of the entire membership.
In short, expanding eligibility for board service is meant to strengthen participation and access to leadership, while maintaining accountability. Strong governance relies on both fairness and oversight, and this amendment is designed to support the board’s effectiveness in service of all members.
The fact that litigation has been initiated does not, on its own, confirm a problem with governance. In Canada, the legal process exists to allow claims to be tested, responses to be provided, and decisions to be made based on the facts. Once that process has begun, it must be allowed to run its course. If the outcome identifies areas where governance should evolve, we welcome that guidance as part of our ongoing commitment to improvement.
Q: What is behind all these legal and governance challenges?
A: We cannot speculate on how these legal and governance matters may be connected. That determination is best left to the appropriate legal processes, and we trust that greater clarity will come in due course.
If we missed any questions, or you have something you wish to ask, you can post it here or email it to: Susanita.deDiego@gmail.com or Alan.Tennant@creb.ca.
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