Turning Advocacy into Action

Your Association has been busy: at the Legislature, with ministers, and behind the scenes, advancing practical solutions that protect your business and strengthen homeownership across Manitoba. Here are the highlights you need to know.

🏛️ Budget 2026: Keeping Affordability Front and Centre

MREA was at the table early, advocating for real solutions to rising costs and long‑term housing supply challenges.

What we pushed for:

Down payment assistance for first‑time buyers
Continued investment in Manitoba Tipi Mitawa (MTM)
Land transfer tax (LTT) relief for first‑time buyers, seniors, and non‑profit ownership programs
Action to unlock land and increase housing supply
Increase to the Homeowners Affordability Tax Credit

What Budget 2026 delivered:

✅ Homeowners Affordability Tax Credit increased to $1,700
✅ Measures to reduce everyday household costs and support affordability

Why it matters: Property taxes and cost‑of‑living pressures directly affect buying decisions. While more work remains on upfront barriers and supply, Budget 2026 shows a critical step towards affordability, and we will continue to advocate for advancements that reflect sustained REALTOR® advocacy.

🏠 Housing Supply: Pushing for Long‑Term Solutions

Affordability depends on supply and MREA continues to press government to act.

Our advocacy is focused on:

Activating underused public lands through a provincial land audit
Brownfield redevelopment
Helping seniors downsize to unlock family housing
Encouraging missing‑middle housing options by exploring a comprehensive strategy on how to address the housing affordability crisis that is on the rise.

Polling and market data confirm it: lack of supply and affordability remain the biggest barriers to homeownership in Manitoba.

⚖️ Land Transfer Tax: Practical, Evidence‑Based Advocacy

When proposed Land Transfer Tax (LTT) changes to commercial transactions relating to bare trusts were introduced in Budget 2025, MREA raised early concerns about the risk of disrupting the commercial and investment market, reducing property values, and discouraging development in Manitoba.

Flagged risks to competitiveness and property values
Proposed a practical alternative that would improve transparency and address tax‑fairness objectives without destabilizing the market

Where things stand: Since that time, Budget 2026 included legislative language tied to anticipated revenue from these changes. MREA has proactively reached out to the province to better understand how this file has evolved and where it has now landed, and we continue to have active discussions with the Minister’s office.

🌱 Home Energy Labelling: Shaping a Workable Approach

The province announced its intent to have Manitoba move towards a federally recognized home energy labelling program, MREA engaged early and proactively to ensure it works for homeowners and REALTORS®.

We’re advocating for:

Consumer‑focused, practical implementation
Technology‑enabled approaches that limit cost and red tape
Lessons learned from Alberta and BC who have begun the work on implementing this.

The goal: transparency and climate progress without harming affordability or transactions.

Our proposal: MREA advocated for a non‑mandatory, technology‑enabled approach to home energy labelling to ensure a smooth and seamless experience for homeowners. We were clear that any program must not disproportionately impact those who already face barriers, including low‑income households, seniors, and others on fixed incomes. MREA also emphasized the importance of strong public education so Manitobans understand how retrofits can lower energy costs and increase home value, while ensuring the program does not burden homeowners or negatively affect property values.

🏫 Education Property Taxes: Protecting Homeowners

Rising school taxes are eroding affordability gains.

MREA is calling for:

Greater transparency
Oversight of significant increases

This is about accountability, and ensuring property tax relief actually delivers results for homeowners while still adequately funding education for Manitoba families and children.

📝 Modernizing RESA: Your Voice, Your Act

Members told us the Real Estate Services Act is outdated and frustrating.

MREA delivered:

Member surveys with 150+ responses.
Gathered feedback from boards and committees.
Hosted a focus group to walk through each proposed change.
Developed clear, targeted legislative, regulatory and/or policy proposals on the six most focused on issues.
Ongoing, productive meetings and engagement with the Manitoba Financial Services Agency

Next steps: We are moving ahead on changes within the consultation and submission and expect positive movement soon on these changes with an update ready for end of spring.

🤝 Manitoba Tipi Mitawa: Reconciliation in Action

Manitoba Tipi Mitawa (MTM) continues to deliver life‑changing results.

Impact to date:

36 First Nations families now homeowners
Zero foreclosures
Over 700 families waiting for support

Recent win: a record $1.125 million in provincial funding to support First Nations women and families in Manitoba through the Mino’Ayaawag Ikwewag Housing Program, contributing to the expansion of MTM.

📸 Relationships That Get Results

Strong advocacy is built on strong relationships.

This year, MREA engaged directly with:

The Premier
Multiple cabinet ministers
Regulators, officials, and opposition critics

Highlights include REALTOR® Week at the Legislature and Manitoba REALTOR® Expo, MTM funding announcements, Economic Development Roundtable and ongoing collaboration across key files.

🔭 What’s Next

A five‑year government relations strategy aligned with election cycles
A provincial housing supply roadmap with clear, actionable solutions

Our focus remains clear: protecting professionalism, supporting homeownership, and ensuring REALTORS® have a strong voice at the table.

Your advocacy. Your voice. Real results.

Thank you for supporting this work through your engagement, feedback, and leadership.