Tributes flood in for popular broker-owner, who has passed away peacefully
Canada’s mortgage industry is mourning the loss of Christine Buemann, the well-known British Columbia-based broker-owner who has passed away after a long battle with cancer.
Buemann, who launched the Christine Buemann Mortgage Team in 2010, became one of Canada’s most prominent mortgage brokers during a career that also saw her rise to co-owner of The Collective Mortgage Group and, in 2020, to the advisory council of Mortgage Professionals Canada (MPC).
A multiple-time member of CMP’s Women of Influence list, Buemann was also named among the Mortgage Global 100 in 2023, recognizing the most prominent mortgage industry members in their markets over the previous year.
Diagnosed with an aggressive form of breast cancer in December 2022, Buemann – a mother of two young children – became a passionate advocate for Canadians with cancer as she underwent lengthy and gruelling surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation treatment.
In August 2023, Buemann told Canadian Mortgage Professional she had come to describe her cancer diagnosis as a “gift wrapped in sandpaper,” and an experience she was determined to share in order to open up conversations about cancer and other illnesses.
“I think in order to normalize the conversation around concern, those who are not right in the trenches need to understand a little bit more what it feels like,” she said. “And so I think it’s OK to show your cards, and it’s OK to be vulnerable and open and honest about the struggle.”
Tributes flooded in for Buemann after news of her passing emerged, with industry members praising her strength in the face of adversity and perseverance through challenging times.
VERICO said Buemann was "a cherished Broker and Owner" within its network whose loss was deeply felt across the community. "Christine was more than a respected professional," it said in a LinkedIn post. "She was a kind, thoughtful presence who led with integrity and generosity.
"She cared deeply about her clients, her colleagues, and the people around her, and her influence will continue to be felt throughout the VERICO Network for years to come."
M3 Financial Group said it was "deeply saddened" to learn of Buemann's passing, describing her battle with cancer as a "long and courageous" one.
Buemann, the company said, was "a trusted leader in our broker community, known for her professionalism, generosity, and genuine care for others. Her commitment to her clients, peers, and the industry made a lasting impact across the VERICO Network and the broader M3 community."
MPC described her deep commitment to supporting the association and its members and highlighted the generosity, professionalism, and dedication she brought to the industry.
“Christine will be remembered for her kindness, strength, and unwavering willingness to help others,” the association said in a statement. “We are grateful for the time we had with her and for the positive influence she had on those around her.”
Frances Hinojosa, chief executive officer at Tribe Financial, remembered her “extraordinary ability to see the goodness in others long before they could see it in themselves” and said she left an indelible mark on the industry and its members.
“In business, where results, performance, and pace often take centre stage, she reminded me that people are always the point,” Hinojosa wrote. “That love is something to lean into. That grace, paired with courage, is real strength.”
Canadian Mortgage Professional extends its sincerest condolences to Christine Buemann’s family and friends on her passing.
