Michael Brooks has announced plans to depart from the Real Property Association of Canada (REALPAC) at the end of 2027 after serving as the national industry association’s chief executive officer for nearly 30 years. During that tenure, he has shown progressive leadership that has advanced the interests of Canada’s largest institutional, public and private real estate investment and development companies and steered them in new directions for changing times.

REALPAC wields an influential voice on regulatory issues, evolving business dynamics and commercial real estate’s connections to the broader economy and social fabric. Brooks emerged as an early champion of energy efficient, sustainable and climate-resilient built assets, making the now widely accepted case for their environmental, financial and productivity paybacks. He has also been a strong advocate for affordable housing, corporate social responsibility, transparency and industry professionalism.

“Both REALPAC, and the Canadian commercial real estate industry, have undergone significant transformation during my time as leader, and REALPAC has grown to be a trusted and influential voice. I am proud of what we have accomplished together,” Brooks says.

He currently serves on the Canadian government’s Sustainable Development Advisory Council, is a recipient of the Canada Green Building Council’s lifetime achievement award, and has served on the boards of the World Green Building Council, GRESB BV, Eva’s Initiatives for Homeless Youth and the Toronto Foundation. He is a former partner and real estate practice leader with Aird & Berlis LLP, has had a long visiting academic association with the Ted Rogers School of Management at Toronto Metropolitan University, and is the author of the instructional textbook, Canadian Commercial Real Estate: Theory, Practice, Strategy.

REALPAC’s board of directors will begin the search for a successor later this year, with the aim of having a candidate in place for a transitional period prior to Brooks’ departure.