Housing. Real estate. Business.
Everyone’s talking about the challenges — few are talking about the data.
In the first episode of Canada Now, I sit down with Trevor Koot, CEO of the BC Real Estate Association and host of Business is Fcking Hard, to unpack how information — not ideology — could unlock smarter housing solutions across Canada.
🎧 Watch or listen:
👉 Watch on YouTube | 🎙 Listen on Spotify | 🍎 Apple Podcasts
Other audio players:
🔑 Big Themes
1️⃣ The ChatGPT Moment
A 70-year-old hotel guest used ChatGPT — not Google — to find checkout time. Consumer behaviour is already changing, and it’s changing fast.
“If that’s one demographic in one situation, what are consumers doing everywhere else?”
2️⃣ Lawmakers, Not Just Politicians
From wildfires to housing supply, Trevor reminds us that policy = law — and laws reshape the market. Understanding that relationship helps business leaders anticipate the next wave of change.
3️⃣ Data Over Drama
The next housing breakthrough won’t come from politics; it’ll come from data. With 30 years of MLS® history across Canada, we’re sitting on a goldmine of insight that could inform smarter, fairer policy — if we learn how to use it.
4️⃣ REALTORS® as Small Business Owners
Trevor reframes the profession: every REALTOR® is an entrepreneur running a micro-business in a shifting digital landscape. That mindset change is essential for navigating AI, consumer transparency, and new value propositions.
5️⃣ Purpose Before Profit
After interviewing 50+ founders on his podcast, Trevor found one through-line: impact comes first. Profit sustains the work; purpose defines it.
💡 Key Takeaways
Better data = better policy. From housing to climate, information must drive decisions.
Consultation matters. Industry voices, when informed by real numbers, can build trust and progress.
Digitization is overdue. There’s still paper where there should be code.
Small business lens. REALTORS® and entrepreneurs share the same fundamentals: adapt or be left behind.
Optimism isn’t naive. Every generation feels its moment is the hardest — and that perspective breeds progress.
💬 From the Episode — Memorable Quotes
“Policy should be based on data, not vibes.”
“We’ve got thirty years of MLS® data — let’s use it.”
“Realtors aren’t just salespeople; they’re small business owners.”
“The next housing disruption isn’t tech — it’s information.”
🎥 Chapters & Links
(Jump straight to the parts you care about.)
00:00 – The ChatGPT Moment
07:55 – Lawmakers & the Housing Ecosystem
13:45 – Data Over Drama
19:40 – 30 Years of MLS® Insights
31:20 – REALTORS® as Small Business Owners
34:45 – AI & the Consumer Shift
38:10 – Purpose Before Profit
47:35 – Digitizing Real Estate
50:00 – Closing Thoughts & Next Chapter for Canada
▶ Watch now: YouTube
🎧 Listen on: Spotify | Apple Podcasts | Other Audio
💬 Join the conversation: #CanadaNow — Find @canadanowmedia on social!
🍁 Final Thought
Canada’s housing challenges are complex — but complexity isn’t chaos. With better data, better collaboration, and a little optimism, we can build a system that works.
→ Subscribe to Canada Now for new episodes each week — and join the movement shaping the next chapter of this country.
👤 About Trevor Koot
Trevor Koot is the CEO of the BC Real Estate Association — the provincial association for British Columbia’s 26,000 REALTORS® — and host of the podcast Business is Fcking Hard. A lifelong learner and seasoned entrepreneur, Trevor has led organizations across real estate, education, and governance, drawing on two decades of experience in leadership and business development. He holds a Master of Business Administration in Executive Management (Leadership Specialization) and a Masters of Law, combining practical insight with academic depth. Known for his candid approach and passion for data-driven decision-making, Trevor brings a grounded yet forward-looking perspective to conversations about business, housing, and the future of work.
Trevor’s Website | Trevor’s Podcast | Find on LinkedIn | His 9 Themes of Business
Be sure to subscribe on your preferred podcast platform so you don’t miss the episodes to come. And if you like what you hear, sharing the show with a friend goes a long way in helping us grow.
We’re writing the next chapter in Canada — and it starts now. 🍁
If you’re a fan of Canadian innovation and curated Canadian content, check out some of my other favourite newsletters on Beehiiv! 🐝👇
— Ashley Smith (@ashleysmithnow)