The 80’s
On October 22, 1982, a group of companies came together to form The Canadian Employee Relocation Council (CERC), the first not-for-profit association of its kind in Canada dedicated to the mobility industry. By the end of the first year CERC had 44 members. In 1984 the Council hired its first full-time employee – Executive Vice President Lauren MacLaren. The government relations committee submitted a brief to the Minister of Finance outlining the Council’s concerns with the “harsh and inequitable treatment of housing loans”. This resulted in the re-instatement of a $25,000 exemption for low interest or interest free housing loans in the 1985 Federal Budget. CERC launched its new official logo, which embraced the human side of the relocation industry (as noted by the four people to the left of the CERC name). The logo remains in place to this day. By the end of the 80’s, CERC membership totalled 287, with 146 of those represented by the corporate sector.

The 90’s
In a first, CERC breaks the 300 mark with its membership, with corporate and service members represented evenly. The Council’s Education Committee started work on a study to address the feasibility of an accreditation course for individuals involved in relocation in Canada. In 1992 CERC celebrated its 10th Anniversary, but against a grim economic backdrop: relocation numbers in Canada plummet for the second straight year. The Council voted in its very first female president, Linda Ward O’Farrell, then employed with CP Rail. By 1997, the Council had hit the Internet with the first email address, which followed with the first website the following year. Executive Vice President Lauren MacLaren-Smart retired, and Phyllis Simon was hired as the EVP. Based on CERC survey results, the professional development committee proceeded with plans to design and implement a certification program. Eight in ten survey respondents voiced support to certification plans.

2000 – Present
In 2000, CERC welcomed its first supplier president – Anne Martin of United Van Lines. At the beginning of 2001 CERC launched Level I of the three-tiered professional development and accreditation program, qualifying participants for the CERC Relocation Specialist™ professional designation. By May of 2002, CERC welcomed its first graduates of Level I. The Council hired Stephen Cryne in September of 2002 to take the reins as EVP – a position he holds to this day as President & CEO. The Council’s new website was launched with searchable databases and e-commerce capabilities, and the bi-annual policy survey was placed online for corporations to complete. Level III of the CERP™ program was completed in 2003, and the first graduates of the CERP™ program were honoured at the 2004 Annual Conference. In 2005 CERC appeared before the House of Commons Standing Committee on Immigration. By 2006 CERC had entered into an agreement with Centennial College to deliver the CERP™ program over the Internet as part of its distance learning program. CERC celebrated its 25th Anniversary in 2007. And in 2008, the Council revamped their website to offer more online member services.