Calgary, Alberta – On December 11, 2014, the Real Estate Council of Alberta (RECA) obtained a Court of Queen’s Bench (Court) injunction against Derek Johnson, aka John Davis, ordering him to cease and desist trading in real estate and dealing in mortgages as defined by the Real Estate Act, and to pay $2,500 in costs.

The Court also ordered Johnson to take down his website, www.freelistcalgary.com and www.joerhealestate.com (Joe Rhealestate), and to remove his YouTube and Kijiji postings from those sites.

In November 2014, Derek Johnson was the subject of a consumer alert issued by RECA. Johnson preys on home owners in vulnerable financial situations and acts as a real estate and mortgage broker without being licensed as either.

RECA has issued three administrative penalties to Johnson for unlicensed activity, with fines totaling $65,000.

Derek Johnson must comply with this Order or risk being found in contempt of court.

If you have concerns as a result of dealings with Derek Johnson, Free List Calgary, Joe Rhealestate, Partners in Success Mortgage Inc. or New Age Financing, please contact the Real Estate Council of Alberta toll-free at 1-888-425-2754.

The Real Estate Council of Alberta (RECA) is an independent, non-government agency, responsible for governing real estate, mortgage broker, and real estate appraisal industry professionals under Alberta’s Real Estate Act. RECA is mandated to protect consumers and to provide services that enhance and improve the industry and the business of industry professionals.

Calgary, Alberta –Through its introduction of Bill 9: the Condominium Property Amendment Act, the Alberta government has clarified its plans to raise standards within Alberta’s condominium management sector. If Bill 9 passes into law, condominium managers would require a licence from the Real Estate Council of Alberta (RECA).

The requirement for condominium manager licensing would occur through amendments to the Real Estate Act, which RECA administers on behalf of the Government of Alberta. Section 60 on pages 73 to 78 of Bill 9 outlines these amendments.

RECA supports the Government of Alberta on its consideration of amendments to the Condominium Property Act. RECA participated in the government’s formal consultation on the Condominium Property Act in early 2013, and continues to engage in discussions specific to condominium manager licensing.

The Real Estate Act has an appropriate structure and mechanisms to govern real estate brokerage, mortgage brokerage, real estate appraisal, and property management professionals. The same structures will apply to condominium managers. The Real Estate Act establishes requirements for industry professionals. These include:

• eligibility to enter the industry
• licensing suitability and education standards
• practice standards
• complaint and discipline processes

RECA will work with condominium management stakeholders to develop licensing, education, and practice standards specific to condominium managers. RECA will consider harmonization with British Columbia to regulate condominium managers.

The Real Estate Council of Alberta will continue to work with the Alberta government to raise standards within Alberta’s condominium management sector.

The Real Estate Council of Alberta (RECA) is an independent, non-government agency, responsible for governing real estate, mortgage broker, real estate appraisal and property management industry professionals under Alberta’s Real Estate Act. RECA’s mandate is to protect consumers and to provide services that enhance and improve the industry and the business of industry professionals.

Calgary, Alberta – On November 12, 2014, the Real Estate Council of Alberta (RECA) suspended the real estate licence of Suneet Kumar Sharma, who is currently unregistered. Mr. Sharma has been suspended for refusing to cooperate with a person conducting an investigation. Mr. Sharma has been suspended for refusing to cooperate with a person conducting an investigation.

As a result of this suspension, Suneet Kumar Sharma may not trade in real estate in Alberta. His suspension will continue until the executive director is satisfied he has cooperated with the investigation.

In the past, Mr. Sharma has been registered as the broker with Nuway Real Estate Ltd. in Calgary and as an associate broker with Discover Real Estate Ltd. in Calgary.

The Real Estate Council of Alberta (RECA) is an independent, non-government agency, responsible for governing real estate, mortgage broker, real estate appraisal and property management industry professionals under Alberta’s Real Estate Act. RECA’s mandate is to protect consumers and to provide services that enhance and improve the industry and the business of industry professionals.

Calgary, Alberta – Derek Johnson is breaking the law. He needs a licence under the Real Estate Act to trade in real estate on behalf of others and deal in mortgages. He does not have these licences and has never had them.

Derek Johnson says he is helping people. He is not. He preys on home owners who are in a vulnerable financial position and facing foreclosure.

Johnson used to operate Free List Calgary and is currently involved in www.joerhealestate.com (Joe Rheal Estate). He has also been involved in Partners in Success Mortgage Inc. and New Age Financing. None of these are licensed to trade in real estate or deal in mortgages in Alberta.

The Real Estate Council of Alberta has issued a direction to Johnson to cease unlicensed practice. Johnson has ignored this direction to stop. The Council is taking further action.

If someone offers to represent you in a real estate transaction or to deal in a mortgage for you, ensure that individual is licensed by RECA. RECA is the licensing and governing body for real estate, mortgage brokerage and real estate appraisal professionals in Alberta. Consumers can find out if an individual is licensed through RECA’s website, www.www.reca.ca. Use the “Searching for an Industry Professional” tool.

Licensed individuals must meet and maintain licensing requirements. Among them, individuals must provide a Certified Criminal Record Check prior to licensing, complete comprehensive pre-licensing education and ongoing re-licensing education, and maintain errors and omissions insurance. In the event of a licensee’s fraud, breach of trust or failure to account or disburse money in accordance with the terms of trust, a consumer may be eligible for compensation from RECA’s consumer compensation fund.

If you have concerns as a result of dealings with Derek Johnson, Free List Calgary, Joe Rheal Estate, Partners in Success Mortgage Inc. or New Age Financing, please contact the Real Estate Council of Alberta toll-free at 1-888-425-2754.

The Real Estate Council of Alberta (RECA) is an independent, non-government agency, responsible for governing real estate, mortgage broker, and real estate appraisal industry professionals under Alberta’s Real Estate Act. RECA is mandated to protect consumers and to provide services that enhance and improve the industry and the business of industry professionals.

Calgary, Alberta – On October 22, 2014, a Real Estate Council of Alberta (RECA) Hearing Panel ordered the continuation of Rajwant Kaur Banwait’s suspension as a mortgage associate. The Hearing Panel also ordered Ms. Banwait to pay a fine of $20,000 and costs of $12,500.

The Hearing Panel found Ms. Banwait:

• failed to cooperate fully with Real Estate Council of Alberta investigators
• failed to provide and respond fully to all requests for information from Real Estate Council of Alberta investigators

The Hearing Panel ordered Ms. Banwait’s suspension to continue until such time as she cooperates with RECA’s investigation to the satisfaction of the Executive Director.

Ms. Banwait was previously registered with Verico Titus Finanicial Ltd. in Edmonton.

The Real Estate Council of Alberta (RECA) is an independent, non-government agency, responsible for governing real estate, mortgage broker, and real estate appraisal industry professionals under Alberta’s Real Estate Act. RECA is mandated to protect consumers and to provide services that enhance and improve the industry and the business of industry professionals.

Calgary, Alberta –

The Real Estate Council of Alberta (RECA) is pleased to announce the selection of Chad Griffiths as Chair of Council and Krista Bolton as Chair-Elect.

Mr. Griffiths is a partner with NAI Commercial Real Estate in Edmonton. He has been a member of Council since November 2012, and serves as an appointee of the Alberta Real Estate Association from industry members trading in industrial, commercial and investment real estate. He recently served as chair of RECA’s Commercial Real Estate Advisory Committee and as chair of the Finance and Audit Committee. He has also been involved in numerous committees and boards across Canada.

Ms. Bolton is a Chartered Mediator with her primary practice in family mediation. She has been a public member of Council since 2012, appointed by the other Council members. She currently serves on the Alberta Real Estate Foundation as a governor and has served on the Finance and Audit, Hearings, and Governance Committees for Council.

Mr. Griffiths and Ms. Bolton will serve in these positions for a one-year term, ending on October 31, 2015.

The Real Estate Council of Alberta (RECA) is an independent, non-government agency, responsible for governing real estate brokerage, mortgage brokerage, property management and real estate appraisal professionals under the Real Estate Act of Alberta. RECA is mandated to protect consumers and to provide services that enhance and improve the industry and the business of industry professionals.

Bryon Howard, real estate associate registered with Keller Williams Realty South or Signet Commercial or Re/Max First at all relevant times and currently registered with Re/Max House of Real Estate

Issues:

• Participated in fraudulent or unlawful activities in connection with real estate transactions [s.7(c) of the Real Estate Act Code of Conduct (as it was then)]
• Knowingly or recklessly made representations in the course of advertising or marketing properties that were untrue in a material respect [s. 4(a) of the Real Estate Act Code of Conduct (as it was then)]
• Failed to act fairly, honestly and with integrity when dealing with non-clients [s.7(b) of the Real Estate Act Code of Conduct (as it was then)]
• Participated in the creation of a contract, document or form of communication that he knew or ought to have known was false or misleading [s.4(d) of the Real Estate Act Code of Conduct (as it was then)]
• Knowingly or recklessly misrepresented the potential market value of residential properties [s.4(e) of the Real Estate Act Code of Conduct (as it was then)]
• Failed to act in the clients’ best interests [s.2(a) of the Real Estate Act Code of Conduct (as it was then)]
• Failed to render competent service [s.6(a) of the Real Estate Act Code of Conduct (as it was then)]
• Failed to provide all documentation or trade records relating to a real estate transaction to his broker [s.23(e) of the Real Estate Act Rules]
• Failed to inform his broker of real estate transactions in which he was involved [s.23 of the Real Estate Act]

Facts:

• While dealing with real estate transactions for 7 properties during the period December 2005 to January 2007, the following took place:
  • Mr. Howard knowingly or recklessly misrepresented the square footage of a property he listed
  • Mr. Howard knowingly or recklessly misrepresented the seller’s name on two listing contracts
  • In two listings, Mr. Howard created false real estate trade documents and involved a buyer who had no knowledge of the transactions
  • Mr. Howard forged signatures on real estate trade documents
  • Mr. Howard created documents where he set out that someone was the seller of a property when in fact this person was not the property’s legal owner
  • In one instance Mr. Howard created a listing contract on behalf of a seller but failed to witness the seller’s signature on the contract
  • In four cases, Mr. Howard created listing contracts that were not signed by a brokerage representative
  • Mr. Howard failed to provide all of his trade records to his broker for two real estate transactions, which were taking place on behalf of the brokerage
  • In these same two real estate transactions, Mr. Howard did not keep his broker advised of the transactions, which were taking place on behalf of the brokerag
• While Mr. Howard was involved in these seven properties he was willfully or recklessly blind to circumstances of mortgage fraud
• That even though he was willfully blind or reckless to the circumstances of mortgage fraud, he continued to act in these transactions
• That he knowingly or recklessly misrepresented the potential market value of six properties
• That he failed to act in his client’s best interests by acting on the instructions of someone who was not the legal owner of the property he was listing for sale; Mr. Howard also failed to confirm with the legal owner that the owner agreed to have this third party act on his behalf.

Results:

A Hearing Panel of the Real Estate Council of Alberta accepted an Admission of Conduct Deserving of Sanction signed by Mr. Howard, which included an Agreed Statement of Facts. The Hearing Panel ordered Bryon Howard to:

• pay fines of $39,500.00
• pay costs of $15,000.00;
• be suspended for 3 months;
• remain suspended until he has paid all of his fines and costs
• successfully complete an education requirement

Calgary, Alberta –

On October 15, 2014, Melanie Elaine Remillard, previously a real estate broker in Fort McMurray, applied to permanently withdraw from industry membership.

At the time of her application, Ms. Remillard was the subject of conduct proceedings to determine whether she:

• Failed to notify the Executive Director in writing of a change in the directors, officers or shareholders of a corporation;
• Made representations or carried on conduct that was reckless or intentional and that misled or deceived any person or was likely to do so;
• Failed to be actively engaged in the management of the real estate brokerage with which she was registered as broker;
• Failed to ensure the business of the brokerage was carried out competently and in accordance with the Act, Regulations, Rules and Bylaws;
• Failed to ensure that all monies held in trust and bank records were maintained in accordance with the Act, Regulations, Rules, Bylaws and the law as it relates to trustees;
• Failed to prepare monthly bank reconciliations for all accounts in which money was held in trust;
• Failed to notify the Executive Director in writing of the existence of a trust shortage and what steps were being taken to determine the amount of the shortage;
• Paid the brokerage’s personal or general office expenses, commission or other remuneration payable to the brokerage’s own authorized officials, brokers or associates out of an account in which money was held in trust.

At the time of the withdrawal application approval, there had been no disciplinary hearing, admissions or findings of fact. The Real Estate Council of Alberta (RECA) approved Ms. Remillard’s application to withdraw and this results in a voluntary lifetime prohibition from industry membership; conduct proceedings are now discontinued.

The Real Estate Council of Alberta (RECA) is an independent, non-government agency, responsible for governing real estate brokerage, mortgage brokerage, property management and real estate appraisal professionals under the Real Estate Act of Alberta. RECA is mandated to protect consumers and to provide services that enhance and improve the industry and the business of industry professionals.

Calgary, Alberta –The Real Estate Council of Alberta is this year’s recipient of the Association of Real Estate License Law Officials (ARELLO) Education Award in the Post-Licensing/Continuing Education category for its Real Estate Update 2014 course.

Real Estate Update 2014 is offered entirely online, using a variety of multi-media teaching tools. ARELLO recognized Real Estate Update 2014, in part, because of its mobile-friendly design, which allows industry professionals to complete it through most smart phones and tablets.

Real Estate Update 2014 provides information that is relevant to real estate professionals’ current practice, including material on identifying properties in flood zones and advising  buyers, tenants, landlords and sellers regarding such properties. RECA incorporated this crucial information in the course’s content in light of the significant 2013 floods in Alberta.

RECA is committed to providing leading edge career-preparation and training, as well as ongoing re-licensing and continuous learning opportunities. While RECA is proud of its achievements on the international stage, the greatest satisfaction comes from feedback received from Alberta real estate professionals. Survey results from learners after they complete Real Estate Update 2014 show it has an overall approval rating of 96 per cent.

RECA has received three ARELLO awards for its education courses in the past, as well as two Investigator of the Year awards and five communication awards.

The Real Estate Council of Alberta (RECA) is an independent, non-government agency, responsible for governing real estate, mortgage broker, and real estate appraisal industry professionals under Alberta’s Real Estate Act. RECA is mandated to protect consumers and to provide services that enhance and improve the industry and the business of industry professionals.

Calgary, Alberta – On July 16, 2014, Alain Richard Latulippe, previously a real estate associate in Calgary, applied to permanently withdraw from industry membership.

At the time of his application, Mr. Latulippe was the subject of conduct proceedings to determine whether he:

• Failed to provide competent services to his clients;
• Failed to ensure his role was made clear to his clients; and
• Failure to practice in strict accordance with the Act, Regulations, Rules, Bylaws and any other laws that govern trading in real estate in Alberta.

At the time of the withdrawal application approval, there had been no disciplinary hearing, admissions or findings of fact. The Real Estate Council of Alberta (RECA) approved Mr. Latulippe’s application to withdraw and this results in a voluntary lifetime prohibition from industry membership; conduct proceedings are now discontinued.

The Real Estate Council of Alberta (RECA) is an independent, non-government agency, responsible for governing real estate brokerage, mortgage brokerage, property management and real estate appraisal professionals under the Real Estate Act of Alberta. RECA is mandated to protect consumers and to provide services that enhance and improve the industry and the business of industry professionals.

Calgary, Alberta – The brokerage licence of Northern Property Management Ltd. in Fort McMurray has been terminated because it was no longer eligible to be licensed. Northern Property Management Ltd. is no longer authorized to trade in real estate or provide property management services in Alberta.

The Real Estate Council of Alberta will be contacting landlords, tenants and other individuals who may be affected by the termination of the brokerage.

The Real Estate Council of Alberta (RECA) is an independent, non-government agency, responsible for governing real estate, mortgage broker, and real estate appraisal industry professionals under Alberta’s Real Estate Act. RECA is mandated to protect consumers and to provide services that enhance and improve the industry and the business of industry professionals.

Calgary, Alberta – On April 16, 2014, Brandon Antonini, previously a mortgage associate in Calgary, applied to permanently withdraw from industry membership.

At the time of his application, Mr. Antonini was the subject of conduct proceedings to determine whether he:

• made misrepresentations and was dishonest in furtherance of obtaining money from individuals; and,
• participated in conduct which would bring the industry into disrepute.

At the time of the withdrawal application approval, there had been no disciplinary hearing, admissions of conduct or findings of fact. The Real Estate Council of Alberta (RECA) approved Mr. Antonini’s application to withdraw and this results in a voluntary lifetime prohibition from industry membership; conduct proceedings are now discontinued.

The Real Estate Council of Alberta (RECA) is an independent, non-government agency, responsible for governing real estate brokerage, mortgage brokerage, property management and real estate appraisal professionals under the Real Estate Act of Alberta. RECA is mandated to protect consumers and to provide services that enhance and improve the industry and the business of industry professionals.

Calgary, Alberta – On April 16, 2014, Jermiah Divall, previously a mortgage broker in Calgary, applied to permanently withdraw from industry membership.

At the time of his application, Mr. Divall was the subject of conduct proceedings to determine whether he:

• masterminded and/or participated in a scheme to obtain mortgage(s) through deceit.
• made representations or carried on conduct that is reckless or intentional and that misleads or deceives any person or is likely to do so.
• engaged in conduct that undermines public confidence in the industry, harms the integrity of the industry or brings the industry into disrepute.
• failed to obtain consent in a verifiable way to pull credit bureau reports.
• failed to disclose in writing how he would be paid for his services.
• failed to ensure his role in the transaction was clear and to discuss and present the applicable agency form in the mortgage transaction.
• failed to disclose in writing to the parties what steps, if any, were taken to verify the information obtained or supplied to the brokerage to the parties, including information contained in the mortgage application, other representations made by the borrower or lender and the identity of the parties to deal in mortgage(s).
• failed to act competently.
• failed to act honestly.
• failed to cooperate fully with, and provide any information requested to, any representative of the council carrying out their duties and responsibilities under the Act.
• failed to practice in strict accordance with the Act, Regulations, Rules, Bylaws and any other laws that govern trading in real estate, mortgage transactions or appraisals in Alberta.
• failed to report a judgment against himself in relation to the provision of services or sale of goods to consumers.
• failed to report a judgment rendered against a business in which he was the director.
• engaged in unauthorized property management by Mika Property Management Ltd. in which he was a director and 50% shareholder.

At the time of the withdrawal application approval, there had been no disciplinary hearing, admissions of conduct or findings of fact. The Real Estate Council of Alberta (RECA) approved Mr. Divall’s application to withdraw and this results in a voluntary lifetime prohibition from industry membership; conduct proceedings are now discontinued.

The Real Estate Council of Alberta (RECA) is an independent, non-government agency, responsible for governing real estate, mortgage broker, real estate appraisal and property management industry professionals under Alberta’s Real Estate Act. RECA is mandated to protect consumers and to provide services that enhance and improve the industry and the business of industry professionals.

Calgary, Alberta – On April 16, 2014, Katerina Evdokimova (a.k.a. Ekaterina Evdokimova), previously a real estate associate and a mortgage associate in Calgary, applied to permanently withdraw from industry membership.

At the time of her application, Ms. Evdokimova was the subject of conduct proceedings to determine whether she:

• helped create and transmit documents which contained false information for the purpose of obtaining a mortgage by deceit.

At the time of the withdrawal application approval, there had been no disciplinary hearing, admissions of conduct or findings of fact. The Real Estate Council of Alberta (RECA) approved Ms. Evdokimova’s application to withdraw and this results in a voluntary lifetime prohibition from industry membership; conduct proceedings are now discontinued.

The Real Estate Council of Alberta (RECA) is an independent, non-government agency, responsible for governing real estate, mortgage broker, real estate appraisal and property management industry professionals under Alberta’s Real Estate Act. RECA is mandated to protect consumers and to provide services that enhance and improve the industry and the business of industry professionals.

Calgary, Alberta – On April 16, 2014, Donald Mike Gray, previously a real estate broker in Edmonton, applied to permanently withdraw from industry membership.

At the time of his application, Mr. Gray was the subject of conduct proceedings to determine whether he breached:

• Section 51(1)(j) of the Rules – Licensing Requirements
• Section 1(e), 86(1), and 86(3) of the Rules – Trust Account Reconciliations
• Section 25(5) of the Act – Stale dated outstanding cheques
• Section 88 of the Rules – Operating Trust Account Shortages
• Section 88 of the Rules Security Deposit Trust Account Shortages
• 41(g) of the Rules – Security Deposit Refunds
• Section 25(2) of the Act – Management Agreements
• Section 25(1)(d) of the Act – Inadequate authority to disburse funds from trust
• Section 41(b) of the Rules – Management Agreement Contract Deficiencies
• Section 87 of the Rules – Negative Trust Ledger balances
• Section 25(2) of the Act – Security Deposits held in trust with insufficient authority
• Section 51(1)(e) of the Rules – Unlicensed Activity
• Section 41(f) and 54(3) of the Rules – Disclosure of Conflict of Interest
• Section 25(1)(d) of the Act – Expenses exceed owners’ limits
• Section 51(1)(k) of the Rules – Paid invoices not on file
• Section 41(b) of the Rules – Competent Service

At the time of the withdrawal application approval, there had been no disciplinary hearing, admissions of conduct or findings of fact. The Real Estate Council of Alberta (RECA) approved Mr. Gray’s application to withdraw and this results in a voluntary lifetime prohibition from industry membership; conduct proceedings are now discontinued.

The Real Estate Council of Alberta (RECA) is an independent, non-government agency, responsible for governing real estate, mortgage broker, real estate appraisal and property management industry professionals under Alberta’s Real Estate Act. RECA is mandated to protect consumers and to provide services that enhance and improve the industry and the business of industry professionals.

Calgary, Alberta – On April 16, 2014, Christopher Mele, previously a real estate associate in Calgary, applied to permanently withdraw from industry membership.

At the time of his application, Mr. Mele was the subject of conduct proceedings to determine whether he:

• masterminded and or participated in a scheme to sell real estate and obtain mortgage(s) through deceit.
• made representations or carried on conduct that is reckless or intentional and that misleads or deceives any person or is likely to do so.
• engaged in conduct that undermines public confidence in the industry, harms the integrity of the industry or brings the industry into disrepute.
• Failed to act honestly.
• Failed to provide competent service.
• Failed to ensure his role was clearly understood by their clients and third parties.
• Failed to cooperate fully with, and provide any information requested to, any representative of the council carrying out their duties and responsibilities under the Act.
• Failed to practice in strict accordance with the Act, Regulations, Rules, Bylaws and any other laws that govern trading in real estate, mortgage transactions or appraisals in Alberta.
• Failed to report a judgment in relation to the provision of services or sale of goods to consumers.
• Failed to report a judgment rendered against a business in which he was a director.
• Engaged in unauthorized property management by Mika Property Management Ltd. in which he was a director and 50% shareholder.
• Failed to provide to his broker all original documentation related to a trade in real estate.
• Failed to keep his broker informed of the activities performed by the associate.

At the time of the withdrawal application approval, there had been no disciplinary hearing, admissions of conduct or findings of fact. The Real Estate Council of Alberta (RECA) approved Mr. Mele’s application to withdraw and this results in a voluntary lifetime prohibition from industry membership; conduct proceedings are now discontinued.

The Real Estate Council of Alberta (RECA) is an independent, non-government agency, responsible for governing real estate, mortgage broker, and real estate appraisal industry professionals under Alberta’s Real Estate Act. RECA is mandated to protect consumers and to provide services that enhance and improve the industry and the business of industry professionals.

Calgary, Alberta – On April 16, 2014, Ronald Mercier, previously a real estate broker and a mortgage broker in Edmonton, applied to permanently withdraw from industry membership.

At the time of his application, Mr. Mercier was the subject of conduct proceedings to determine whether he:

• represented a lender in a mortgage transaction without entering into a written service agreement.
• failed to disclose to the borrower the nature of his relationship with the lender and how he would be compensated for the transaction.
• failed to disclose in writing to the parties to a deal in mortgages what steps, if any, he took to verify information obtained or supplied.
• failed to disclose to his client, at the earliest practical opportunity, any conflict of interest he had in the course of providing services to, or in his dealings with, a client.
• failed to provide competent service.

At the time of the withdrawal application approval, there had been no disciplinary hearing, admissions of conduct or findings of fact. The Real Estate Council of Alberta (RECA) approved Mr. Mercier’s application to withdraw and this results in a voluntary lifetime prohibition from industry membership; conduct proceedings are now discontinued.

The Real Estate Council of Alberta (RECA) is an independent, non-government agency, responsible for governing real estate, mortgage broker, and real estate appraisal industry professionals under Alberta’s Real Estate Act. RECA is mandated to protect consumers and to provide services that enhance and improve the industry and the business of industry professionals.

Calgary, Alberta – On April 16, 2014, Erik Vande Merwe, previously a mortgage broker, applied to permanently withdraw from industry membership.

At the time of his application, Mr. Vande Merwe was the subject of conduct proceedings to determine whether he:

• Failed to disclose.
• Made misrepresentations.
• Participated in fraudulent activity.

At the time of the withdrawal application approval, there had been no disciplinary hearing, admissions of conduct or findings of fact. The Real Estate Council of Alberta (RECA) approved Mr. Vande Merwe’s application to withdraw and this results in a voluntary lifetime prohibition from industry membership; conduct proceedings are now discontinued.

The Real Estate Council of Alberta (RECA) is an independent, non-government agency, responsible for governing real estate, mortgage broker, and real estate appraisal industry professionals under Alberta’s Real Estate Act. RECA is mandated to protect consumers and to provide services that enhance and improve the industry and the business of industry professionals.

Calgary, Alberta – On March 4, 2014, the Executive Director of the Real Estate Council of Alberta (RECA) suspended the licence of Jack Flaksman, real estate associate registered with Discover Real Estate Ltd. in Calgary. Mr. Flaksman has been suspended because he failed to comply with an August 27, 2013 Hearing Panel order.

As a result of this suspension, Jack Flaksman may not trade in real estate in Alberta. His suspension does not affect the activities of Discover Real Estate Ltd.

The Real Estate Council of Alberta (RECA) is an independent, non-government agency, responsible for governing real estate, mortgage broker, and real estate appraisal industry professionals under Alberta’s Real Estate Act. RECA is mandated to protect consumers and to provide services that enhance and improve the industry and the business of industry professionals.

Calgary, Alberta – On January 22, 2014, Amanjot (Amy) Kaur Brar, previously a real estate and mortgage broker in Calgary, applied to permanently withdraw from industry membership.

At the time of her application, Ms. Brar was the subject of conduct proceedings to determine whether she:

• Failed to keep trust account records and failed to disburse money received or held in trust accordance with the terms of trust;
• Failed to cooperate with a RECA investigation;
• Failed to immediately notify the Executive Director of a change of residential address;
• Failed to immediately notify the Executive Director that she was no longer performing the duties and responsibilities of a broker;
• Failed to act honestly;
• Failed to practice in accordance with the legislation;
• Made representations or carried on conduct that was reckless or intentional, which misleads or deceives;
• Participated in fraudulent or unlawful activities in connection with the provision of services;
• Engaged in conduct that undermines public confidence in the industry, harms the integrity of the industry or brings the industry into disrepute;
• Failed to be actively engaged in the management of the brokerage;
• Failed to ensure all documents and records related to trades were maintained or made available at the brokerage; and,
• Failed to ensure the business of the brokerage was carried out competently and in accordance with the legislation.

At the time of the withdrawal application approval, there had been no disciplinary hearing, admissions of conduct or findings of fact. The Real Estate Council of Alberta (RECA) approved Ms. Brar’s application to withdraw and this results in a voluntary lifetime prohibition from industry membership; conduct proceedings are now discontinued.

The Real Estate Council of Alberta (RECA) is an independent, non-government agency, responsible for governing real estate, mortgage broker, and real estate appraisal industry professionals under Alberta’s Real Estate Act. RECA is mandated to protect consumers and to provide services that enhance and improve the industry and the business of industry professionals.

Calgary, Alberta – On January 22, 2014, Robert Ackerman, previously a real estate associate broker in Lethbridge, applied to permanently withdraw from industry membership.
At the time of his application, Mr. Ackerman was the subject of conduct proceedings to determine whether he:

• Traded in real estate as a real estate broker without the appropriate authorization; and,
• Did not disclose to his client any conflict of interest he may have had in the course of providing services to or in his dealings with them.

At the time of the withdrawal application approval, there had been no disciplinary hearing, admissions of conduct or findings of fact. The Real Estate Council of Alberta (RECA) approved Mr. Ackerman’s application to withdraw and this results in a voluntary lifetime prohibition from industry membership; conduct proceedings are now discontinued.

The Real Estate Council of Alberta (RECA) is an independent, non-government agency, responsible for governing real estate, mortgage broker, and real estate appraisal industry professionals under Alberta’s Real Estate Act. RECA is mandated to protect consumers and to provide services that enhance and improve the industry and the business of industry professionals.