QPAREB vs. OACIQ: What’s the Difference?

Are you thinking of buying or selling a property in the near future? Then you will certainly hear about the Quebec Professional Association of Real Estate Brokers (QPAREB) and the Organisme d’autoréglementation du courtage immobilier du Québec (OACIQ). This article explains the very different roles of these two organizations.

The QPAREB defends the interests of real estate brokers

For its part, the QPAREB is a non-profit association that defends the interests of real estate brokers and agency executive officers throughout Quebec. The association currently serves over 14,000 members, representing 92% of all brokers and officers. In particular, it provides collaboration tools, including the technological tools of its subsidiary, Centris, as well as quality training.

The QPAREB fulfills its mandate by focusing on fields of activity such as:

• professional practices
• political actions
• legal affairs
• market analyses
• communications, marketing, and public relations

Some of its notable achievements include the creation of innovative advertising campaigns that promote the importance of the role of real estate broker and contribute to enhancing the image of the profession. It also created the Conciliation and Arbitration Bureau, a service to settle remuneration disputes among brokers. Finally, the Association is home to various regional groups that promote networking activities within the different regions of the province.

The OACIQ protects the public

Since 2010, the OACIQ has been the organization mandated by the government to administer the Real Estate Brokerage Act. In addition to supervising the practice of all professionals in this field, it also issues real estate brokerage licences and provides a professional development program.

Its core mission is to ensure the protection of the public who use real estate brokerage services regulated by law. Accordingly, it ensures that brokers comply with the laws and regulations in force in the context of their professional activities.

Moreover, the OACIQ offers a wide range of tools and a public assistance department to support buyers and sellers who would like to file a complaint or report ethical misconduct.

All brokers must also contribute to the Real Estate Indemnity Fund and take out professional liability insurance, two consumer protection mechanisms.

In summary, the QPAREB’s mission is to represent the interests of brokers and support them in their daily practice, while that of OACIQ is to protect the public and ensure compliance with the Real Estate Brokerage Act. One thing is clear, both of these organizations play a key role in Quebec’s real estate industry.

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