Toronto-based Avison Young is launching a new property tax service line in Vancouver.
The company said it hired Robert Blouin as a principal to serve as director of the Vancouver office's property tax services group that provides specialized property valuation, tax assessment processes and client advocacy. The hire is part of Avison Young's plans to continue to expand its property tax services platform across the country, the brokerage said.
"British Columbia represents a significant growth opportunity for Avison Young, and Robert's arrival marks a pivotal first step in expanding our presence in the region," said Matthew McWatters, managing director and Canadian leader of valuation in advisory and property tax services, in a statement.
Blouin's responsibilities will also include developing client relationships, identifying property assessment appeal opportunities, and navigating property tax regulations to provide property tax services that maximize client savings, Avison Young said.
"This new property tax service line signifies an important milestone for our Vancouver market as we prepare to bolster our extensive client solutions," said Brett Armstrong, principal and managing director of Avison Young's Vancouver office, in a statement. "Vancouver yields one of North America's most competitive real estate markets, so I have every faith that our offering will be in high demand by clients, existing and new."
Blouin has two decades of commercial real estate experience, including office, retail, industrial, and development land, specializing in hospitality and multifamily. He has worked with some of the largest regional and national investment firms and REITS after starting his career with Deloitte.