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2026-07-28 05:03

Paul Rushforth, Ottawa Real Estate Broker and Radio Personality, Dies at 52

Key Takeaways

What happened
Paul Rushforth, a prominent Ottawa real estate broker and radio personality, has died at the age of 52.. The cause of his death was not disclosed in the primary reporting.
Location
Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
Key points
  • The passing of Paul Rushforth marks the loss of a dual-profile figure in Ottawa who bridged the…
  • Death announced; program canceled this past Saturday; tribute planned for next weekend
  • Rushforth founded Paul Rushforth Real Estate in 2011
Local impact
Macro data and market sentiment typically feed into rates, energy prices and financing expectations first, then into Canadian mortgage rates, development financing and Metro Vancouver housing supply, demand and pricing expectations. For Metro Vancouver buyers, sellers, developers and investors, watch financing cost, transaction pace, supply mix and policy expectations.
Who should watch
Buyers, owners and investors watching Burnaby, Vancouver and Metro Vancouver housing policy, supply, carrying costs and market timing.
Paul Rushforth, Ottawa Real Estate Broker and Radio Personality, Dies at 52

What Happened

Paul Rushforth, a prominent Ottawa real estate broker and radio personality, has died at the age of 52. The cause of his death was not disclosed in the primary reporting. Tributes are currently being shared by colleagues and the community to honor his legacy.

Rushforth founded Paul Rushforth Real Estate in 2011 and spent over two decades in the industry, helping more than 9,000 families. He was also well-known for his 19-year tenure as co-host of the CFRA Open House program. The radio program was cancelled this past Saturday, with a formal tribute planned for next weekend.

Beyond real estate, Rushforth had a significant background in professional hockey. He played in the Ontario Hockey League for the North Bay Centennials and Belleville Bulls before captaining and coaching the London Knights in England. He returned to Ottawa after the British Ice Hockey Superleague folded in 2003.

Why It Matters

The passing of Paul Rushforth marks the loss of a dual-profile figure in Ottawa who bridged the gap between local real estate development and mainstream media. His ability to translate complex housing market insights into accessible radio content for nearly two decades made him one of the region's most recognizable names in the industry.

His death also highlights the end of an era for the CFRA Open House program, which served as a key information source for Ottawa homeowners and buyers. The immediate cancellation of the show and the planned tributes underscore the significant public profile he maintained through his brokerage and community involvement.

BurnabyHouse Insight

Paul Rushforth's career trajectory from professional hockey to real estate brokerage and radio broadcasting illustrates a unique model of personal branding in the Canadian housing market. By leveraging his public profile, he built Paul Rushforth Real Estate into a recognizable brand in Ottawa, demonstrating how media presence can drive brokerage authority. His charitable work, including raising over $21,000 for the Do It For Daron foundation in 2012 and supporting men's mental health initiatives, further cemented his reputation as a community builder rather than just a transactional broker.

Community

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Gary Gao

REALTOR®, Grand Central Realty

Covers Burnaby, Vancouver and Metro Vancouver real estate news, communities, developments, land use and market analysis.

Phone: 778-801-1314 · Full author profile

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