The Real Deal: Industry highlights for June 2026

Top row: Drew Hemsley, Sandra Longden, Duncan Harvey and Braden Reimer. Bottom row: Martin Gallant, Ian and Meagan Tomlin, Michel Valade and Myrna Selzler.

Each month, REM shares brokerage expansions and conversions, leadership appointments and other key industry moves. Have an announcement to share? Email your news to editor@realestatemagazine.ca by the 26th of each month, and don’t forget to include a photo!

Acquisitions, conversions and expansion news

More than 40 agents join Remax Aboutowne

Duncan Harvey (source: Facebook).

More than 40 agents from Every Avenue Real Estate have joined Remax Aboutowne, with the group opening a new downtown Oakville branch under the leadership of one-time Every Avenue broker-owner Duncan Harvey.

Every Avenue was formerly under the Royal LePage banner. 

The agents joined Remax Aboutowne on June 15. Harvey, who began his real estate career with Remax, said the move was driven by the brand’s strength, the leadership of Remax Aboutowne broker-owner Claudia DiPaola and long-term opportunities for agents.

“Remax was where I started,” Harvey said. “As the industry continues to shift, we knew we needed the best possible partner.”

The expansion brings Remax Aboutowne to more than 240 agents, with about 40 expected to work from the new Oakville office. DiPaola said the new location will help the brokerage “continue building on our momentum,” while Remax Canada president Don Kottick said the move reflects the brand’s appeal to productive agents and growth-minded brokerages.

Real plants flag in New Brunswick

Real Brokerage has expanded into New Brunswick, marking its sixth Canadian province, through the addition of Moncton-based Creativ Realty, an independent brokerage serving southeastern New Brunswick.

The move brings 42 agents to Real’s Canadian network. Creativ Realty generated more than $300 million in sales volume in 2025 and serves buyers and sellers across the region, including the luxury market.

Martin Gallant, who has led Creativ Realty as managing partner since 2023, joins Real as managing broker for New Brunswick. “As we evaluated the future of our business and how best to support our agents long term, we felt we found our people with Real,” Gallant said, adding that the company’s culture, technology platform, education and fee structure made the move compelling.

Chief Growth Officer Jason Cassity described New Brunswick as “an important strategic expansion” as the company continues to grow its Canadian footprint.

Engel & Völkers expands into Langley

Braden Reimer (source: Realtor.ca).

Engel & Völkers has expanded into Langley, B.C., opening its 17th affiliated shop in the province and extending its presence across the Fraser Valley.

The new location, led by licence partner Braden Reimer, serves Langley Township, Langley City, Walnut Grove, Willoughby, Murrayville, Aldergrove, Cloverdale and surrounding communities. The shop is located in Fort Langley.

Company president and CEO Stuart Siegel said the expansion reflects growing demand for the Engel & Völkers brand across the Greater Vancouver region, calling Langley “a natural expansion with the right licence partners.”

Reimer said Langley continues to attract young families, professionals, retirees and entrepreneurs, describing the community as “a market worth investing in.” He said the area’s growing mix of independent businesses, agricultural entrepreneurs and remote workers is helping reshape the region.

PropertyGuys.com moves into Kelowna

Ian and Meagan Tomlin (contributed).

PropertyGuys.com has awarded a new flex franchise serving Kelowna and surrounding communities to existing franchisees Ian and Meagan Tomlin.

The expansion adds to the couple’s growing portfolio of PropertyGuys.com franchise areas and extends the company’s presence into one of British Columbia’s largest real estate markets.

Ian Tomlin said the new franchise also marks a return to his hometown. “Home sellers deserve choice, control, and access to full real estate services,” he said, adding that he looks forward to helping more buyers and sellers in the Kelowna area use the company’s model.

Industry appointments, leadership changes and insider moves

Sotheby’s International Realty Québec appoints managing broker

Michel Valade (contributed).

Sotheby’s International Realty Québec has appointed Michel Valade as managing broker as the brokerage continues to expand across the province.

Valade joins Georges Gaucher, the company’s Québec regional director and agency executive officer, to support brokers, clients and offices throughout the province.

He brings 35 years of experience in residential real estate, architecture, construction and operations management. Over the past decade, he has held brokerage, management and senior leadership roles with Remax and Royal LePage in Québec’s Laurentians region.

Sotheby’s International Realty Canada president Mustafa Abbasi said Valade has demonstrated an ability to “lead teams, enhance operations and drive sustainable growth,” adding that his appointment will strengthen support for brokers and clients as the company continues its expansion across Québec’s key real estate markets.

Macdonald Realty names Kelowna regional manager

Myrna Selzler (Facebook).

Macdonald Realty has appointed Myrna Selzler as regional manager and associate broker for its Kelowna office.

Selzler brings experience as the former owner and manager of two franchise brokerages and previously served on the Professional Conduct Committee for the Association of Interior Realtors.

“It felt like old home week” reconnecting with former colleagues, Selzler said, adding that the relationships made it an easy decision to return to the industry after a short retirement.

Macdonald Realty is a British Columbia-based independent brokerage with more than 1,000 agents and staff across 18 offices, offering residential and commercial real estate services, along with property and strata management.

Cornerstone names board of directors

Drew Hemsley (contributed).

Cornerstone Association of Realtors is announcing Norfolk County-based Drew Hemsley of Royal LePage Trius Realty as chair of its board of directors for the 2026-27 term, with Mississauga-based Sandra Longden of Remax Realty Services Inc. elected chair-elect at the association’s recent annual meeting.

Six members were elected to two-year terms running until the 2028 annual meeting: Curtis Ball of Remax Twin City Realty Inc., Jason Bunker of Peak Realty Ltd., Reisha Dass of Remax Real Estate Centre Inc., Rochelle Edwards of J.M. Edwards Associates Inc., Ross Mogridge of Remax Escarpment Realty Inc. and Julie Sergi of Royal LePage Burloak Real Estate Services.

Four directors were welcomed into one-year terms expiring at the 2027 annual meeting: Ahmed Helmi of Realty One Group Flagship, Goris Nazari of Realty Network, Lou Piriano of L. Piriano Real Estate Brokerage and David Puddy of Remax Erie Shores Realty Inc.

Cornerstone, established in 2024, represents approximately 7,500 members across Burlington, Haldimand County, Hamilton, Mississauga, Niagara North, Norfolk County, Waterloo Region and surrounding communities, making it the second-largest real estate association in Ontario.

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