Ontario – (January 16, 2019) – The Governors of the Ontario Collective™ (OC), a regional group providing MLS® System services to 12 real estate associations representing over 5,000 REALTORS®, and the Directors of the Ontario Regional Technology & Information Systems Inc. (ORTIS), a regional group providing MLS® System services to 10 real estate associations of over 8,500 REALTORS®, are pleased to announce they have signed a Transition Agreement to blend their two separate systems into one common shared regional MLS® System.

“We are beyond excited to announce the blending of two of Ontario’s largest regional MLS® Systems,” said Steve Dickie, Chair of the OC. “For going on decades now, progressive REALTORS® and Associations have been working to break down the artificial walls that have separated them. This initiative will significantly enhance the opportunities and services for our REALTOR® members as well as their clients.”

Both groups are using CoreLogic®’s leading edge Matrix system to power their MLS® Services. CoreLogic® is a global property information, analytics and data-enabled solutions provider and Matrix is used by more than 700,000 REALTORS® across North America, and 32,000 in Canada alone.

“From the beginning, this has been a member-centric process where we have put the needs of the REALTOR® first and foremost,” says Brad Johnstone, ORTIS Chair. “REALTORS® and their clients all have the same wants, needs and expectations, regardless of the size and location of the association they belong to.” In addition, Johnstone highlights, “The systems our two groups developed independently of one another are powered by the same stable, secure, proven and reliable technology, and both were developed by REALTORS® for REALTORS®.”

Combining the two systems into a seamless one will result in a “best-of-breed” solution by taking the lessons both groups learned in their individual regional projects and bringing them together in this initiative. Central to this project from the beginning is the recognition that members are equal. No matter what part of the province a REALTOR® practices in they have the same need for high standards and dependable technology.

The two groups are now developing a new single corporate entity to manage the services to all 22 associations.

“We’re going to take the best of both systems, combine them together to make something even better,” notes Kati Strickland, Project Manager of the OC. “We’re working with CoreLogic® now to align the needed resources and flesh out our project plan with the objective of having members online with it in the fall of 2019.”

Media Contacts:

Kati Strickland, OC Project Manager, kstrickland@thelakelands.ca

Bill Duce, ORTIS Project Coordinator, bill.duce@kwar.ca

About the Ontario Collective™ (OC). The OC is comprised of Bancroft and Area Association of REALTORS®, Kawartha Lakes Real Estate Association Inc., London and St. Thomas Association of REALTORS®, North Bay Real Estate Board, Northumberland Hills Association of REALTORS®, Peterborough and The Kawarthas Association of REALTORS®, Quinte & District Association of REALTORS® Inc., REALTORS® Association of Grey Bruce Owen Sound, Southern Georgian Bay Association of REALTORS®, The Lakelands Association of REALTORS®, Tillsonburg District Real Estate Board and Woodstock-Ingersoll and District Real Estate Board.

About the Ontario Regional Technology & Information Systems Inc. (ORTIS). ORTIS is comprised of Barrie and District Association of REALTORS®, Brantford Regional Real Estate Association, Cambridge Association of REALTORS® Inc., Guelph and District Association of REALTORS®, Huron Perth Association of REALTORS®, Kitchener-Waterloo Association of REALTORS®, Mississauga Real Estate Board, Niagara Association of REALTORS®, The Oakville, Milton and District Real Estate Board, and Simcoe and District Real Estate Board.