FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 20, 2009

VIREB WINS NATIONAL AWARD

The Vancouver Island Real Estate Board (VIREB) has been recognized nationally for the work its members do in lobbying all levels of government to raise issues impacting homeowners and buyers.

At the annual Political Action Days (PAC) of The Canadian Real Estate Association held in Ottawa at the end of April, VIREB was awarded the Outstanding PAC Team Award for the Board’s initiatives in 2008.

Board President Ray Francis accepted the award on behalf of all Vancouver Island REALTORS®. “Our members do much more than list properties and put up For Sale signs,” VIREB’s President says. “Our job as a licensed REALTORS® is also to represent the interests and concerns of our clients.”

The Federal Affairs Committee of The Canadian Real Estate Association offers three awards annually to recognize PAC achievement in support of the CREA federal affairs program. They are the Outstanding PAC Team Award, the Most Innovative PAC Program Award and the Award for Individual PAC Achievement.

The President of The Canadian Real Estate Association, Dale Ripplinger, said there were several reasons why the Vancouver Island Real Estate Board was being recognized. “During the last federal election the Board sponsored eight all-candidates meetings in various locations. They attracted more than 25 hundred people, and 45 federal candidates participated. They outlined the case for raising the Home Buyers’ Plan and borrowing limits and the reinvestment issues were outlined at each of the eight meetings.”

The Chair of the national Federal Affairs Committee, David Herman from Surrey, B.C. said VIREB showed leadership and resourcefulness in its federal affairs activities.

Accepting the award on VIREB’s behalf were; Ray Francis - 2009 President, Lyle Price – Government Relations Committee chair, and Darrell Paysen – Manager Member services.