Calgary, Alberta — on September 6, 2022, a Hearing Panel (the Panel) for the Real Estate Council of Alberta (RECA) cancelled the licence of James Kenneth Knutson and barred Knutson from becoming eligible for licensing for five years from the date of the decision. Should Knutson choose to become licensed after the five years have passed, Knutson will be required to successfully complete all education requirements before being eligible to apply. Knutson is not currently licensed to trade in real estate in Alberta and has been deemed ungovernable by the Panel.
Being ungovernable can diminish public confidence in the industry and bring the industry into disrepute. There is a risk of harm to the public as it means the licensee rejects their obligations to be bound by the rules governing their profession.
RECA publishes these decisions to protect consumers, ensure transparency, and educate existing RECA licensees on the standards of practice.
The Panel determined that Knutson breached the following:
Real Estate Act s.38(4)(a)
A person who is required under subsection (2) to answer the questions of a person conducting an investigation
(a) shall co-operate with the investigator and promptly respond to the questions
Real Estate Act Rules s.41(a)
Licensee must:
(a) act honestly
Real Estate Act Rules s.42
Licensee must not:
(g) engage in conduct that undermines public confidence in the industry, harms the integrity of the industry, or brings the industry into disrepute
Knutson was last registered as a real estate associate with Devonshire (The Park) Inc. O/A Maxwell Devonshire in 2019.
Please see the full details of the Hearing Panel Decision.
