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In this episode of the Commercial Real Estate Podcast, hosts Aaron Cameron and Adam Powadiuk sit down with Michael Brooks, CEO of REALPAC, on the sidelines of the RealCapital 2025 conference to discuss Canada’s evolving real estate landscape. They explore the impact of US tariffs, interprovincial trade barriers, and the challenges facing CMHC’s funding programs. Brooks also shares insights on housing policy across party lines and the role of AI in transforming real estate development.
Here are the key talking points from the episode:
- Understanding REALPAC: Canada’s Leading Real Estate Association
- Trump’s Tariffs: Impact on Canadian Real Estate & Trade
- Breaking Down Interprovincial Trade Barriers in Canada
- Housing Policy: Liberal vs Conservative Approaches
- CMHC Funding Crisis: $80 Billion Deficit and Industry Impact
- Development Charges: Reforming a Broken System
- AI Revolution in Real Estate: From Planning to Zero Waste
Michael Brooks is the CEO of the Real Property Association of Canada (REALPAC), representing the country’s largest real estate investment and development firms. A lawyer and former partner at Aird & Berlis LLP, he has been a leader in real estate law, policy, and sustainable development. Brooks has served on boards including the Toronto Foundation and the World Green Building Council. He also advises the Canadian government on sustainable development and has held academic roles at Toronto Metropolitan University.
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