Blog

VANCOUVER – After receiving a legal warning from the Canadian Constitution Foundation, a British Columbia regulator has withdrawn a caution letter that was sent to a realtor accusing him of engaging in professional misconduct for posting his political opinions on social media. 

On June 22, 2026, the BC Financial Services Authority (BCFSA) sent Langley realtor Corbin Chivers a caution letter in response to two posts he made on Instagram commenting on Indigenous land claims and the closure of Joffre Lakes Provincial Park to non-Indigenous visitors. In this letter, the BCFSA called Chivers’ comments “polarizing,” “inflammatory” and “discriminatory,” and cautioned that his words could bring the real estate industry into disrepute. 

On September 9, CCF Litigation Director Josh Dehaas and Counsel Alexander Surgenor sent the BCFSA a letter warning that the letter violated Chivers’ constitutionally-protected freedom of expression and demanding removal of the caution letter from Chivers’ file. 

On Wednesday, the BCFSA wrote to confirm that the letter has been withdrawn, and that it will not form part of Chivers’ record. The CCF now considers the matter closed.

Chivers thanked the Canadian Constitution Foundation for their work. 

“Having the BCFSA withdraw this letter is an enormous relief, and I’m deeply thankful for the support,” Chivers said. “My hope is that this outcome encourages others in our industry to speak openly about public issues and to stand up for their Charter-protected expression,” he added.

Surgenor thanked the BCFSA for coming to the correct conclusion, and so promptly.

“Professional regulators cannot police lawful and constitutionality protected behaviour unrelated to the profession,” he added.

Dehaas noted that “the Constitution protects freedom of expression to ensure that we can all express our viewpoints because that’s how we get to the truth of matters and govern ourselves as a society.”  

“Canadians do not surrender their freedom of expression when they enter a regulated profession,” he added.

CCF Interim Executive Director Christine Van Geyn thanked all of the people who signed the CCF’s petition and donated to assist with the Chivers case.

“This should be a reminder to professional regulators across the country that they cannot censor political speech,” she said.

The CCF is a non-partisan charity dedicated to defending Canadians’ rights and freedoms.

Thanks to a generous CCF donor who has agreed to match up to $100,000 in donations this September, donors can double their impact by giving between now and September 30.