Competition Bureau Appeals Competition Tribunal Ruling in Toronto Real Estate … – SYS

OTTAWA, ONTARIO — (Marketwired) — 05/14/13 — The Competition Bureau filed an appeal with the Federal Court of Appeal today, seeking to overturn the Competition Tribunal’s ruling in the Toronto Real Estate Board (TREB) matter.

The Bureau believes that the Tribunal’s ruling was based on an overly narrow interpretation of section 79 of the Competition Act – the “abuse of dominance” provision. The Tribunal ruled that TREB, as an incorporated trade association, does not compete with its own members in the real estate brokerage market and therefore cannot be found to have contravened the abuse of dominance provision.

“Allowing the Tribunal’s finding to stand could leave a significant loophole in the application of the Competition Act,” said Interim Commissioner of Competition John Pecman. “While most trade associations comply with the Competition Act, we are concerned that, if the Tribunal’s decision is left to stand, trade associations may be tempted to develop rules aimed at preventing or eliminating potential new forms of competition.”

With more than 35,000 members, TREB is the largest real estate board in Canada. It owns and operates the Toronto Multiple Listing Service system, which contains current property listings and historical information about residential real estate purchases and sales in Toronto and the surrounding area. In May 2011, the Bureau filed an application with the Tribunal seeking to prohibit TREB’s rules that restrict how its member agents provide information to customers, such as previous listings and previous sale prices, thereby denying agents the ability to introduce new and innovative real estate brokerage services using the Internet. The Competition Tribunal heard the case in 2012.

“We believe that the Competition Tribunal erred in dismissing our application and in not ruling on the facts of the case,” added Pecman. “It is our view that TREB’s anti-competitive behaviour continues to restrict potential homebuyers and sellers from taking advantage of a greater range of service and pricing options when making one of the most significant financial transactions of their lives.”

The Competition Bureau, as an independent law enforcement agency, ensures that Canadian businesses and consumers prosper in a competitive and innovative marketplace.

Contacts:
For media enquiries, please contact:
Media Relations
819-994-5945
media@cb-bc.gc.ca

For general enquiries, please contact:
Information Centre
Competition Bureau
819-997-4282 or Toll free: 1-800-348-5358
TTY (hearing impaired): 1-800-642-3844
www.competitionbureau.gc.ca

Article source: http://www.sys-con.com/node/2658494

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Competition Bureau to launch an appeal of a Toronto Real Estate Board decision

Competition Bureau to launch an appeal of a Toronto Real Estate Board decision | GlobalPost



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OTTAWA – The Competition Bureau will appeal a Competition Tribunal decision to dismiss a complaint against the Toronto Real Estate Board over rules that restrict how member agents provide information to customers.

The bureau said Tuesday that it has asked the Federal Court of Appeal to overturn the tribunal’s decision, contending it was based on an overly narrow interpretation of the Competition Act.

In May 2011, the bureau tried to prohibit Toronto Real Estate Board rules that restrict how its members provide information to customers, including previous listings and previous sale prices.

However, the real estate board argued it was bound to respect the contractual and private information of consumers.

The tribunal dismissed the complaint earlier this year.

“While most trade associations comply with the Competition Act, we are concerned that, if the tribunal’s decision is left to stand, trade associations may be tempted to develop rules aimed at preventing or eliminating potential new forms of competition,” said John Pecman, interim commissioner of competition.

The real estate board said Tuesday that the commission is trying to erode the safeguards in the MLS system.

“TREB will continue to work to protect the personal information entrusted to it and its members by the general public, while it strives always to do what it can to ensure a highly competitive environment for real estate professionals in the GTA,” the board said in a statement.

The Toronto Real Estate Board is the largest real estate board in Canada.

http://www.globalpost.com/dispatch/news/the-canadian-press/130514/competition-bureau-launch-appeal-toronto-real-estate-board-d






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Article source: http://www.globalpost.com/dispatch/news/the-canadian-press/130514/competition-bureau-launch-appeal-toronto-real-estate-board-d

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GTA Realtors(R) Release Mid-Month Resale Housing Figures


TORONTO, ONTARIO, May 16, 2013 (Marketwired via COMTEX) –
Greater Toronto Area REALTORS(R) reported 4,476 transactions
through the TorontoMLS system during the first 14 days of May. This
result represented a decline of 9.7 per cent compared to the same
period in 2012. Sales declines were larger for the City of Toronto,
at 11.4 per cent, versus the surrounding regions where sales were
down by 8.6 per cent year-over-year.

“Despite fewer sales this year compared to last, competition between
buyers in most segments of the market remained strong enough to
promote annual rates of price growth above the rate of inflation. A
household earning the average income in the GTA can comfortably
afford the mortgage payments associated with the purchase of an
average priced home,” said Toronto Real Estate Board President Ann
Hannah.

The average selling price during the first two weeks of May was
$543,838 – up by 5.4 per cent in comparison to the same time frame
last year. Price growth was strongest for low-rise home types, but
positive price growth for condo apartments in the City of Toronto was
also reported.

“Continuing the prevailing trend over the last year, the low-rise
segment of the market drove overall price growth during the first
half of May, as months of inventory remained below historic norms for
key home types,” said Jason Mercer, TREB’s Senior Manager of Market
Analysis.







        
                 Summary of TorontoMLS Sales and Average Price - May 1 - 14
        ----------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                           2013                       2012
                                ----------------------------------------------------
                                        Average       New          Average       New
                                Sales     Price  Listings  Sales     Price  Listings
        City of Toronto ("416") 1,685  $594,789     3,499  1,901  $573,137     3,767
        Rest of GTA ("905")     2,791  $513,077     5,661  3,054  $480,578     5,089
        GTA                     4,476  $543,838     9,160  4,955  $516,089     8,856
        ----------------------------------------------------------------------------
        ----------------------------------------------------------------------------
              TorontoMLS Sales  Average Price By Home Type - May 1 - 14, 2013
                                        Sales                   Average Price
                                 416      905    Total        416      905    Total
                               -----------------------------------------------------
        Detached                 626    1,618    2,244    855,334  615,563  682,451
          Yr./Yr. % Change      -6.7%    -7.8%    -7.5%       2.0%     7.5%     5.6%
        Semi-Detached            202      302      504    630,984  414,835  501,466
          Yr./Yr. % Change      -6.0%    -7.6%    -7.0%       5.5%     3.2%     4.5%
        Townhouse                181      511      692    457,666  384,298  403,489
          Yr./Yr. % Change     -21.3%    -9.6%   -13.0%      -2.3%     7.1%     3.3%
        Condo Apartment          661      281      942    377,341  285,851  350,050
          Yr./Yr. % Change     -13.6%   -11.6%   -13.0%       2.1%    -1.4%     1.1%
        ----------------------------------------------------------------------------
        ----------------------------------------------------------------------------
        
        


Greater Toronto REALTORS(R) are passionate about their work. They are
governed by a strict Code of Ethics and share a state-of-the-art
Multiple Listing Service. Over 36,000 TREB Members serve consumers in
the Greater Toronto Area. The Toronto Real Estate Board is Canada’s
largest real estate board.

Get the latest real estate news and Market Watch information
including market watch summary video.







        
        Contacts:
        Media Inquiries:
        Toronto Real Estate Board
        Mary Gallagher
        Senior Manager Public Affairs
        (416) 443-8158
        maryg@trebnet.com
        
        
        


SOURCE: Toronto Real Estate Board







        mailto:maryg@trebnet.com
        


(C) 2013 Marketwire L.P. All rights reserved.

Article source: http://www.marketwatch.com/story/gta-realtorsr-release-mid-month-resale-housing-figures-2013-05-16

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Competition Bureau Appeals Competition Tribunal Ruling in Toronto Real Estate …

OTTAWA, ONTARIO–(Marketwired – May 14, 2013) - The Competition Bureau filed an appeal with the Federal Court of Appeal today, seeking to overturn the Competition Tribunal’s ruling in the Toronto Real Estate Board (TREB) matter.

The Bureau believes that the Tribunal’s ruling was based on an overly narrow interpretation of section 79 of the Competition Act – the “abuse of dominance” provision. The Tribunal ruled that TREB, as an incorporated trade association, does not compete with its own members in the real estate brokerage market and therefore cannot be found to have contravened the abuse of dominance provision.

“Allowing the Tribunal’s finding to stand could leave a significant loophole in the application of the Competition Act,” said Interim Commissioner of Competition John Pecman. “While most trade associations comply with the Competition Act, we are concerned that, if the Tribunal’s decision is left to stand, trade associations may be tempted to develop rules aimed at preventing or eliminating potential new forms of competition.”

With more than 35,000 members, TREB is the largest real estate board in Canada. It owns and operates the Toronto Multiple Listing Service system, which contains current property listings and historical information about residential real estate purchases and sales in Toronto and the surrounding area. In May 2011, the Bureau filed an application with the Tribunal seeking to prohibit TREB’s rules that restrict how its member agents provide information to customers, such as previous listings and previous sale prices, thereby denying agents the ability to introduce new and innovative real estate brokerage services using the Internet. The Competition Tribunal heard the case in 2012.

“We believe that the Competition Tribunal erred in dismissing our application and in not ruling on the facts of the case,” added Pecman. “It is our view that TREB’s anti-competitive behaviour continues to restrict potential homebuyers and sellers from taking advantage of a greater range of service and pricing options when making one of the most significant financial transactions of their lives.”

The Competition Bureau, as an independent law enforcement agency, ensures that Canadian businesses and consumers prosper in a competitive and innovative marketplace.

Article source: http://www.digitaljournal.com/pr/1245988

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Want a high-impact, low-fuss garden? Try xeriscaping

The question

How is a xeriscape different from other landscapes?

The answer

To xeriscape is to put plants with similar needs – all sun, all shade, etc. – together. Xeriscapes are also always drought-tolerant. In practical terms, this means that, after a good watering, they can survive for about a week before needing more hydration.

The question

What’s the best kind of soil for a xeric garden?

The answer

Sandy soil, plus some compost, is ideal. Add horticultural grit to heavier soil with a lot of clay.

The question

How do you plan and lay out a xeriscape?

The answer

First, establish a tabula rasa, eliminating all obstructions except natural elements such as large rocks, which can serve as anchors and defining features. All of the plants in xeriscapes need welldrained soil, so, second, backfill the space you are going to use with ordinary, fairly sandy soil. If you have clay, excavate to about 20 centimetres deep, add masses of compost and horticultural grit and make sure it drains quickly. (To ensure drainage is good, make a hole in the area you are planting, dump a bucket of water into the hole and see how long it takes to seep down.) Finally, lay out plants in pleasing combos or waves, keeping their heights and spreads in mind. Fill in blank spaces with ground cover or a stone/gravel mulch.

The question

Once it’s in place, how do you water a xeric garden properly?

The answer

The best system, if there is no rain, is to water by hand, once a week and deeply. Alternatively, install a basic drip system and turn it on only when the plants really need to be watered – that is, when there has been a long break between rain showers.

Article source: http://www.theglobeandmail.com/life/home-and-garden/gardening/want-a-high-impact-low-fuss-garden-try-xeriscaping/article11914804/?cmpid=rss1

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Competition Bureau Appeals Competition Tribunal Ruling in Toronto Real Estate …

OTTAWA, ONTARIO–(Marketwired – May 14, 2013) - The Competition Bureau filed an appeal with the Federal Court of Appeal today, seeking to overturn the Competition Tribunal’s ruling in the Toronto Real Estate Board (TREB) matter.

The Bureau believes that the Tribunal’s ruling was based on an overly narrow interpretation of section 79 of the Competition Act – the “abuse of dominance” provision. The Tribunal ruled that TREB, as an incorporated trade association, does not compete with its own members in the real estate brokerage market and therefore cannot be found to have contravened the abuse of dominance provision.

“Allowing the Tribunal’s finding to stand could leave a significant loophole in the application of the Competition Act,” said Interim Commissioner of Competition John Pecman. “While most trade associations comply with the Competition Act, we are concerned that, if the Tribunal’s decision is left to stand, trade associations may be tempted to develop rules aimed at preventing or eliminating potential new forms of competition.”

With more than 35,000 members, TREB is the largest real estate board in Canada. It owns and operates the Toronto Multiple Listing Service system, which contains current property listings and historical information about residential real estate purchases and sales in Toronto and the surrounding area. In May 2011, the Bureau filed an application with the Tribunal seeking to prohibit TREB’s rules that restrict how its member agents provide information to customers, such as previous listings and previous sale prices, thereby denying agents the ability to introduce new and innovative real estate brokerage services using the Internet. The Competition Tribunal heard the case in 2012.

“We believe that the Competition Tribunal erred in dismissing our application and in not ruling on the facts of the case,” added Pecman. “It is our view that TREB’s anti-competitive behaviour continues to restrict potential homebuyers and sellers from taking advantage of a greater range of service and pricing options when making one of the most significant financial transactions of their lives.”

The Competition Bureau, as an independent law enforcement agency, ensures that Canadian businesses and consumers prosper in a competitive and innovative marketplace.

Article source: http://www.northumberlandview.ca/index.php?module=news&type=user&func=display&sid=22303

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Video: The new smart house, from door locks to coffee makers

AP Video

Published
Thursday, May. 16 2013, 11:33 AM EDT

Last updated
Thursday, May. 16 2013, 11:34 AM EDT

Article source: http://www.theglobeandmail.com/technology/technology-video/video-the-new-smart-house-from-door-locks-to-coffee-makers/article11959398/?cmpid=rss1

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Competition Bureau appeals Toronto Real Estate Board decision

The Competition Bureau said Tuesday it will appeal a Competition Tribunal decision to dismiss a complaint against the Toronto Real Estate Board over rules that restrict how member agents provide information to customers.

The bureau said it has asked the Federal Court of Appeal to overturn the tribunal’s decision, contending it was based on an overly narrow interpretation of the Competition Act.

In May 2011, the bureau tried to prohibit Toronto Real Estate Board rules that restrict how its members provide information to customers, including previous listings and previous sale prices.
However, the real estate board argued it was bound to respect the contractual and private information of consumers.

The tribunal dismissed the complaint earlier this year.

“While most trade associations comply with the Competition Act, we are concerned that, if the tribunal’s decision is left to stand, trade associations may be tempted to develop rules aimed at preventing or eliminating potential new forms of competition,” said John Pecman, interim commissioner of competition.

The Toronto Real Estate Board is the largest real estate board in Canada.

Canadian Press

Article source: http://business.financialpost.com/2013/05/14/competition-bureau-appeals-toronto-real-estate-board-decision/

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Realtor Chris Allen Interviews New Toronto Native for His Success Series

Toronto, Canada — (SBWIRE) — 05/16/2013 — In addition to being Toronto’s Real Estate Authority, Chris Allen is a veteran, mentor, philanthropist and has started a special program called the “Toronto Success Series,” where he interviews and speaks with successful Toronto natives about their lives and businesses.

“This is a way for me to engage and share with my community and help those who think certain parts of life are outside of their reach to achieve their highest goals,” said Allen.

His most recent interview was with the President of Mellow Walk footwear, Andrew Violi.

Mellow Walk is a Toronto-area business specializing in work shoes for men and women that emphasize safety and comfort.

Allen chose this company because of its small family business approach, proudly Canadian made and sold, and the fact it got its start like so many other businesses.

“It was a struggle to get going like any business, but Mellow Walk stayed with it. This is the lessons I want to share with the people of Toronto through my Success Series and show how they too can become something greater. In this interview Andrew shares some of the struggles the company has faced in the challenging Ontario manufacturing sector and how they have overcome the odds to build a better business and a superior product,” Allen added.

Allen is always looking for another top-notch entrepreneur or local in the Toronto area to interview for his program.

“I want anyone who is a successful business owner, ‘A’ player or someone who has done some great duty for Toronto or Canada to contact me. I wish to sit, chat and learn more while allowing their trials and successes to be shared with my contacts and other philanthropies. It is a way we can jointly give back to Toronto,” said Allen.

Allen can be reached at his office, via email or on the Slavens and Associates Real Estate website.

To learn more about Mellow Walk Footwear visit www.MellowWalk.com

To learn more about Chris Allen, his real estate program or to read his blog, visit www.allenestates.ca.

Contact: Chris Allen
Slavens Associates RE inc.
Phone 416.483.4337
435 Eglinton Ave W
Toronto On, M5N 1A4
chris@allenestates.ca

Article source: http://www.sbwire.com/press-releases/realtor-chris-allen-interviews-new-toronto-native-for-his-success-series-252023.htm

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GTA Realtors® Release Mid-Month Resale Housing Figures

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Article source: http://dcnonl.com/nw/33772/cb

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