Leadership change comes as Ontario faces ongoing affordability challenges
The Ontario Real Estate Association (OREA) has announced its new president and board of directors for 2025, following the Association’s Annual General Meeting on March 27.
Cathy Polan, a realtor based in Belleville, has been named president and will represent nearly 100,000 realtors across Ontario.
Polan, who officially assumed the role following the association’s annual general meeting on March 27, will lead OREA’s 2025 board during a period of high pressure on housing markets across the province. She will focus on supporting members through tools, resources, and advocacy aimed at strengthening communities and improving housing affordability.
“I’m honoured to be taking on the role of OREA President in 2025 and I look forward to working alongside our members, member board leaders, and industry partners to guide the real estate profession forward,” Polan said in a Press release. “As realtors, building stronger communities is at the heart of everything we do, and during such a pivotal time, it’s more important than ever that we work together to keep the dream of homeownership alive for the next generation."
Joining Polan in the leadership team is Sault Ste. Marie-based realtor Kimberly Fairley, who was elected as 2025 president-elect and will serve as provincial director for Northern Ontario.
Fairley emphasized the need to expand housing supply, from purpose-built rentals to single-family homes, and said she looks forward to helping realtors strengthen their leadership and professionalism in the coming year.
“The future of real estate and housing in Ontario depends on the bold and innovative solutions that OREA and realtors across the province have been advocating for,” said Fairley. “As the 2025 OREA president-elect, I look forward to guiding our members to be the best professionals and leaders that they can be, and work to ensure more housing supply is brought to market across the spectrum, from purpose-built rentals to single family homes.”
Read next: OREA proposes fixes for outdated real estate laws in Ontario
Alongside Polan and Fairley, OREA introduced several new directors:
- Manny Andrade, director-at-large
- Alison Porter, provincial director for Western Ontario
- Mark Malinoff, provincial director for Eastern Ontario
- Tehreem Kamal, provincial director for Central Ontario
- Don McColl, provincial director for Northeastern Ontario
Board members continuing the second year of their term include:
- Rick Kedzior, past-president
- Ryan Humble, director-at-large
- Randy Pawlowski, director-at-large
- Paul Etherington, director-at-large
- Meredith Kennedy, provincial director for Central Ontario
- Dustin Davis, provincial director for Southern Ontario
The leadership changes come at a time when more Ontario homeowners are beginning to feel the strain of higher interest rates. New data from Equifax shows the province’s mortgage delinquency rate, representing borrowers who haven’t made a payment in over 90 days, rose to 0.22% in Q4 2024, up from 0.19% the previous quarter and nearly double the 0.12% rate a year earlier.
While the rise is notable, and faster than in provinces like Quebec and British Columbia, current levels are still low by historical standards and aren’t yet cause for alarm. Nonetheless, with many borrowers facing renewals at higher rates, the issue is expected to remain on the radar for policymakers and industry leaders alike.
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