Competition Bureau reaches agreement to increase access to Centris real estate data
Greater access to real estate data will foster the development of new tools and services, benefiting consumers engaged in real estate transactions in Quebec
GATINEAU, QC, Oct. 15, 2026 /CNW/ — The Competition Bureau has reached a consent agreement with the Quebec Professional Association of Real Estate Brokers (QPAREB) to address competition concerns related to the access and use of real estate data available in Quebec.
Following its investigation, the Bureau concluded that QPAREB and its subsidiary, Société Centris, had engaged in conduct contrary to the abuse of dominance provisions of the Competition Act. Specifically, QPAREB refused or omitted to make a real estate data feed available to its members and imposed restrictions on how this data could be used.
The Bureau believes these practices were likely to impede innovation and limit competition in the real estate brokerage services market.
As part of the settlement, QPAREB has agreed to provide its members with a real estate data feed containing all information relevant to the provision of real estate brokerage services, including sale prices, listing history, property characteristics, and more.
Greater access to data will support the development of new tools and services for the benefit of brokers and their clients transacting in Quebec. It will also increase market efficiency and transparency by making information more readily available in an accessible online format.
A backgrounder is available with more information about the Bureau’s investigation, findings and the consent agreement.
The Toronto Real Estate Board precedent
This agreement builds on the Competition Tribunal’s 2016 decision in the Toronto Real Estate Board case, which recognized the importance of access to real estate data in promoting innovation and competition in the real estate brokerage sector.
Following that case, most major real estate associations across Canada adjusted their data access practices.
Quotes
“Real estate data is crucial to some of the most important decisions Quebecers make when purchasing a property. This agreement will promote innovation, enhance competition, and help consumers make informed choices by providing more complete access to this data.”
Jeanne Pratt
Interim Commissioner of Competition
Quick Facts
- QPAREB is a non-profit organization that unites more than 14,500 real estate brokers and agencies across Quebec.
- It administers a collaborative system for real estate agencies and brokers that aggregates data on properties and real estate transactions in Quebec. This cooperative system is comparable to the MLS® (Multiple Listing Service®) systems operated by real estate associations across the rest of Canada.
- Real estate brokers in Quebec rely on this system during their brokerage activities. Until now, the data contained on this system was not available through a data feed that would enable their use in the development of new tools and services.
- As part of its investigation, the Competition Bureau obtained an initial court order against QPAREB in 2023 to gather information and advance its inquiry.
- In 2025, the Bureau obtained a second court order against QPAREB to continue its investigation.
- Consent agreements are registered with the Competition Tribunal. They are legally binding and have the same force and effect as a court order.
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The Competition Bureau is an independent law enforcement agency that protects and promotes competition for the benefit of Canadian consumers and businesses. Competition drives lower prices and innovation while fueling economic growth.
SOURCE Competition Bureau
