Calgary, Alberta – On November 4, 2009, Malik Ashraf, real estate associate currently unregistered and most recently registered with Threefour Management Ltd. o/a Re/Max Landan Real Estate, applied to the Real Estate Council of Alberta (RECA) to withdraw from industry membership in accordance with section 54 of the Real Estate Act (REA).

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

• acted honestly [s.41(a) of the REA Rules];
• fulfilled his fiduciary duty [s.41(d) of the REA Rules];
• disclosed to his clients any conflict of interest he may have in the course of providing services [s.41(f) of the REA Rules];
• practised 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 [s.41(g) of the REA Rules];
• cooperated fully with and provided information to any representative of the Council carrying out duties under the Act [s.41(h) of the REA Rules];
• made representations or carried on conduct that was reckless or intentional and that misled or deceived any person or was likely to do so [s.42(a) of the REA Rules];
• participated in fraudulent or unlawful activities in connection with the provision of services or any dealings [s.42(b) of the REA Rules];
• used confidential information obtained from any person for personal gain [s.42(c) of the REA Rules];
• provided to the broker in a timely manner all original documentation and copies of original documents provided to the parties [s.42(c)(i) and (ii) of the REA Rules]; and,
• obeyed all lawful instructions of the seller [s.57(d) of the REA Rules].

At the time of the withdrawal application approval, there had been no disciplinary hearing, admissions or findings of fact.

By virtue of operation of the Real Estate Act, Part Three conduct proceedings are discontinued. Mr. Ashraf’s application to withdraw was approved by RECA and results in a voluntary lifetime prohibition from industry membership.

The Real Estate Council of Alberta (RECA) is an independent, non-government agency, responsible for regulating professionals in the real estate, mortgage broker and real estate appraisal industries 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 members.

Calgary, Alberta – On November 4, 2009, Jeff Pluim, real estate broker currently unregistered and most recently registered with Jeff Pluim o/a Investment Canada Business Brokers, applied to the Real Estate Council of Alberta (RECA) to withdraw from industry membership in accordance with section 54 of the Real Estate Act.

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

• acted in a client’s best interest [s.2(a) of the Code of Conduct (as it was then)]

At the time of the withdrawal application approval, there had been no disciplinary hearing, admissions or findings of fact.

By virtue of operation of the Real Estate Act, Part Three conduct proceedings are discontinued. Mr. Pluim’s application to withdraw was approved by RECA and results in a voluntary lifetime prohibition from industry membership.

The Real Estate Council of Alberta (RECA) is an independent, non-government agency, responsible for regulating professionals in the real estate, mortgage broker and real estate appraisal industries 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 members.

Calgary, Alberta – On November 4, 2009, Melissa Dayle Sterling, currently unregistered and most recently registered as a real estate associate with Magnuson Realty Ltd., applied to the Real Estate Council of Alberta (RECA) to withdraw from industry membership in accordance with section 54 of the Real Estate Act (REA).

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

• failed to keep proper documentation [s.23(e) of the REA Rules]; and,
• obtained dual agency consent after the acceptance of an offer [s.3(b) of the Code of Conduct (as it was then)].

At the time of the withdrawal application approval, there had been no disciplinary hearing, admissions or findings of fact.

By virtue of operation of the Real Estate Act, Part Three conduct proceedings are discontinued. Ms Sterling’s application to withdraw was approved by RECA and results in a voluntary lifetime prohibition from industry membership.

The Real Estate Council of Alberta (RECA) is an independent, non-government agency, responsible for regulating professionals in the real estate, mortgage broker and real estate appraisal industries 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 members.

Calgary, Alberta – On July 27, 2009 an Appeal Panel upheld a Hearing Panel Decision dated October 27, 2006, including a fine, costs, educational requirements and a suspension of four years in the matter of Vishwa Naidu, former real estate agent registered to 921325 Alberta Ltd. o/a C-21 Platinum Realty and North Star Realty Corporation o/a Sutton Group-North Star Realty.

As a result of this suspension, Mr. Naidu may not trade in real estate in Alberta at this time.

The Real Estate Council of Alberta (RECA) is an independent, non-government agency, responsible for regulating 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 members.

Calgary, Alberta – On August 5, 2009, Troy Zimmerling, mortgage associate, most recently registered to 1284877 Alberta Ltd. o/a Dominion Lending Centres, applied to the Real Estate Council of Alberta (RECA) to withdraw from industry membership in accordance with section 54 of the Real Estate Act (REA).

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

• he failed to provide competent service (REA Rule s.41(b))
• he made representations or carried on conduct that was reckless or intentional and that misleads or deceives any person or is likely to do so (REA Rule s.42(a)
• he participated in fraudulent or unlawful activities in connection with the
• provision of services or in any dealings (REA Rule s.42 (b)
• he engaged in conduct that undermines public confidence in the industry, harms the integrity of the industry or brings the industry into disrepute and (REA Rule s.42(g))
• he failed to cooperate with a person conducting an investigation (REA s.38(4))

At the time of the withdrawal application approval, there had been no disciplinary hearing, admissions or findings of fact.

By virtue of operation of the Real Estate Act, Part Three conduct proceedings are discontinued. Mr. Zimmerling’s application to withdraw was approved by RECA and results in a voluntary lifetime prohibition from industry membership.

The Real Estate Council of Alberta (RECA) is an independent, non-government agency, responsible for regulating industry professionals in the real estate, mortgage broker, and real estate appraisal industries 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 members.

Calgary, Alberta – On August 5, 2009, Sanjay Sharma, associate broker most recently registered to Best Buy Realty Inc., applied to the Real Estate Council of Alberta (RECA) to withdraw from industry membership in accordance with section 54 of the Real Estate Act (REA).

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

• he failed to fulfill his fiduciary duty to a client (REA Rule s.41(d))
• he failed to disclose a conflict of interest (REA Rule s.41(f))
• he participated in fraudulent or unlawful activities in connection with the provision of services (REA Rules s.42(b))

At the time of the withdrawal application approval, there had been no disciplinary hearing, admissions or findings of fact.By virtue of operation of the Real Estate Act, Part Three conduct proceedings are discontinued. Mr. Sharma’s application to withdraw was approved by RECA and results in a voluntary lifetime prohibition from industry membership.

The Real Estate Council of Alberta (RECA) is an independent, non-government agency, responsible for regulating industry professionals in the real estate, mortgage broker, and real estate appraisal industries 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 members.

Calgary, Alberta – On June 9, 2009, pursuant to s.38 of the Rules made pursuant to the Real Estate Act, the Real Estate Council of Alberta suspended the licence of Oldin Yadir Maldonado, real estate associate registered with Elite Ownership Group Ltd. operating as Re/Max Elite in Edmonton, Alberta.

As a result of information received by the Real Estate Council of Alberta, it was concluded that a suspension of Mr. Maldonaldo’s licence was in the public interest.   As well, it was determined the continuation of his license would harm the integrity of the industry and bring the industry into disrepute.

As a result of this suspension, Oldin Yadir Maldonado cannot trade in real estate in Alberta at this time.

The Real Estate Council of Alberta (RECA) is an independent, non-government agency, responsible for regulating real estate, mortgage broker, and real estate appraisal 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 members.

Calgary, Alberta – On May 22, 2009, pursuant to s.38 of the Rules made pursuant to the Real Estate Act, the Real Estate Council of Alberta cancelled the licence of Rani Gurmit Duhra, real estate associate, most recently registered with Vision Realty Inc. o/a Century 21 Bravo Realty of Calgary.

The cancellation occurred as it would harm the integrity of the industry and bring the industry into disrepute as well as not be in the public interest to continue to license her.

As a result of this cancellation, Rani Gurmit Duhra may not trade in real estate in Alberta at this time.

The Real Estate Council of Alberta (RECA) is an independent, non-government agency, responsible for regulating real estate, mortgage broker, and real estate appraisal 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 members.

Calgary, Alberta – On May 6, 2009, Suresh Agarwal, former mortgage agent most recently registered to The Professionals Group Inc. in Edmonton, applied to the Real Estate Council of Alberta (RECA) to withdraw from industry membership in accordance with section 54 of the Real Estate Act.  At the time of his withdrawal application, Mr. Agarwal was the subject of conduct proceedings to determine whether or not he was involved in fraudulent mortgage transactions.

Mr. Agarwal’s application to withdraw was approved by RECA and results in a voluntary lifetime prohibition from industry membership.  By virtue of operation of the Real Estate Act, conduct proceedings are discontinued. There has been no hearing and no finding of facts in this matter.  Mr. Agarwal’s withdrawal application does not constitute an admission of misconduct

The Real Estate Council of Alberta (RECA) is an independent, non-government agency, responsible for regulating real estate, mortgage broker, and real estate appraisal 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 members.

Calgary, Alberta – On May 6, 2009, Ronald Dobbin, former associate registered with 1173471 Alberta Ltd. o/a Sutton Central in Calgary, applied to the Real Estate Council of Alberta (RECA) to withdraw from industry membership in accordance with section 54 of the Real Estate Act.  At the time of his withdrawal application, Mr. Dobbin was the subject of conduct proceedings to determine whether or not he had falsified signatures on a document.

Mr. Dobbin’s application to withdraw was approved by RECA and results in a voluntary lifetime prohibition from industry membership.  By virtue of operation of the Real Estate Act, conduct proceedings are discontinued. There has been no hearing and no finding of facts in this matter.  Mr. Dobbin’s withdrawal application does not constitute an admission of misconduct.

The Real Estate Council of Alberta (RECA) is an independent, non-government agency, responsible for regulating real estate, mortgage broker, and real estate appraisal 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 members.

Calgary, Alberta – On May 6, 2009, Barbara Hong, former real estate associate registered with Polaris Realty (1995) Ltd. o/a Realty Executives Polaris in Edmonton, applied to the Real Estate Council of Alberta (RECA) to withdraw from industry membership in accordance with section 54 of the Real Estate Act.  At the time of her withdrawal application, Ms Hong was the subject of conduct proceedings to determine whether or not she failed to explain her role in a dual agency situation, participated in the creation of false documents, knowingly or recklessly misrepresented the potential market value of a property, allowed a non industry member to perform tasks that only a licensed person should perform and failed to act in a client’s best interest.

Ms Hong’s application to withdraw was approved by RECA and results in a voluntary lifetime prohibition from industry membership.  By virtue of operation of the Real Estate Act, conduct proceedings are discontinued. There has been no hearing and no finding of facts in this matter.  Ms Hong’s withdrawal application does not constitute an admission of misconduct.

The Real Estate Council of Alberta (RECA) is an independent, non-government agency, responsible for regulating real estate, mortgage broker, and real estate appraisal 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 members.

Calgary, Alberta – On May 6, 2009, Mr. James Leahy, former broker registered with Protec Property Management Realty Ltd., applied to the Real Estate Council of Alberta (RECA) to withdraw from industry membership in accordance with section 54 of the Real Estate Act.   At the time of his application, Mr. Leahy was the subject of conduct proceedings to determine whether or not he allowed negative trust balances on client ledgers, failed to notify RECA of fund trust shortages, and charged administration fees as a hidden amount on invoices.

Mr. Leahy’s application to withdraw was approved by RECA and results in a voluntary lifetime prohibition from industry membership.  By virtue of operation of the Real Estate Act, conduct proceedings are discontinued.  There has been no hearing and no finding of facts in this matter.  Mr. Leahy’s withdrawal application does not constitute an admission of misconduct.

The Real Estate Council of Alberta (RECA) is an independent, non-government agency, responsible for regulating real estate, mortgage broker, and real estate appraisal 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 members.

Calgary, Alberta – On May 6, 2009, Hai Quang Nguyen, real estate associate formerly registered with Impact Real Estate Group Ltd. o/a Residential One Real Estate and most recently registered to Unison Realty Group Ltd. in Calgary, applied to the Real Estate Council of Alberta (RECA) to withdraw from industry membership in accordance with section 54 of the Real Estate Act.  At the time of his withdrawal application, Mr. Nguyen was the subject of conduct proceedings to examine whether or not Mr. Nguyen misrepresented the terms of a mortgage assumption, acted fairly and with integrity when dealing with non-clients, proceeded to act in a transaction knowing his role was unclear to the parties, failed to advise his broker that he was facilitating a transaction outside his brokerage and failed to provide trade documents to his broker.

Mr. Nguyen’s application to withdraw was approved by RECA and results in a voluntary lifetime prohibition from industry membership.  By virtue of operation of the Real Estate Act, conduct proceedings are discontinued.  There has been no hearing and no finding of facts in this matter.  Mr. Nguyen’s withdrawal application does not constitute an admission of misconduct.

The Real Estate Council of Alberta (RECA) is an independent, non-government agency, responsible for regulating real estate, mortgage broker, and real estate appraisal 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 members.

Calgary, Alberta – On May 6, 2009, Patricia Roque, former real estate associate registered with Polaris Realty (1995) Ltd. o/a Realty Executives Polaris in Edmonton, applied to the Real Estate Council of Alberta (RECA) to withdraw from industry membership in accordance with section 54 of the Real Estate Act.  At the time of her withdrawal application, Ms Roque was the subject of conduct proceedings to determine whether or not she failed to fulfill her fiduciary duty, participated in illegal activity, drafted false documents, failed to cooperate with investigations and traded in real estate without a license.

Ms Roque’s application to withdraw was approved by RECA and results in a voluntary lifetime prohibition from industry membership.  By virtue of operation of the Real Estate Act, conduct proceedings are discontinued.  There has been no hearing and no finding of facts in this matter.  Ms Roque’s withdrawal application does not constitute an admission of misconduct.

The Real Estate Council of Alberta (RECA) is an independent, non-government agency, responsible for regulating real estate, mortgage broker, and real estate appraisal 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 members.

Calgary, Alberta – On April 27, 2009, pursuant to Section 38(4.2) of the Real Estate Act, the Real Estate Council of Alberta temporarily suspended the authorization of real estate associate Jason Batke, currently unlicensed, pending the outcome of conduct proceedings under Part 3 of the Real Estate Act.

As a result of this suspension, Jason Batke may not trade in real estate in Alberta at this time.

The Real Estate Council of Alberta (RECA) is an independent, non-government agency, responsible for regulating 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 members.

Calgary, Alberta – The Real Estate Council of Alberta (RECA) has been recognized as a “Consumer Champion” by Service Alberta.

At a March 9, 2009, awards ceremony, RECA received a Service Alberta Consumer Champion Award of Distinction for its consumer tools, which include online and print materials to help consumers make decisions about working with real estate industry members, and with buying and selling residential real estate.

The Alberta Consumer Champion Awards, now in their third year, recognize individuals, organizations, businesses and media that demonstrate commitment and innovation in educating Alberta consumers and promoting fairness in the Alberta marketplace.

“Communication with consumers about the process for buying and selling residential real estate in Alberta is a direct result of RECA’s commitment to consumer protection,” says Ralph Salomons, chair of RECA. “RECA is confident that providing consumers with information will lead to a greater consumer understanding and, as a result, protection. Winning this Consumer Champion award is welcome recognition of the work Council has done in the past year.”

RECA’s award-winning entry included consumer brochures on buying and selling real estate, the Agency Relationships Guide and Agency Relationships Video, and the Property Inspection Request Form, all of which are available to consumers, free of charge, through the RECA website at www.www.reca.ca. Production of the consumer tools was made possible, in part, with the aid of a grant from the Alberta Real Estate Foundation.

RECA’s consumer tools project was particularly innovative because it took into account that not everyone participating in real estate transactions in Alberta is comfortable working in English. RECA translated some of the consumer tools into the four most common languages spoken in Alberta (after English). This initiative has gone a long way in demonstrating RECA’s understanding of and commitment to Alberta consumers and the Alberta marketplace.

The Real Estate Council of Alberta (RECA) is an independent, non-government agency, responsible for regulating industry professionals in the real estate, mortgage broker, and real estate appraisal industries 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 members.

Calgary, Alberta – On February 4, 2009, Gregory Delaine, a former real estate associate most recently registered with D.J. Hay Enterprises Ltd. in Calgary, applied to the Real Estate Council of Alberta (RECA) to withdraw from industry membership in accordance with section 54 of the Real Estate Act.

At the time of his withdrawal application, Mr. Delaine was the subject of an ongoing RECA conduct proceeding. The conduct issues related to the following:his provision of property management services without a licence

• his use of misleading property management agreements
• his mismanagement of trust money
• his potential receipt of commission or other remuneration other than through the brokerage

Mr. Delaine’s application to withdraw was approved by RECA and results in a voluntary lifetime prohibition from industry membership.  By virtue of operation of the Real Estate Act, conduct proceedings are discontinued.  Mr. Delaine’s withdrawal application does not constitute an admission of misconduct.

The Real Estate Council of Alberta (RECA) is an independent, non-government agency, responsible for regulating real estate, mortgage broker, and real estate appraisal 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 members.

Calgary, Alberta – On February 4, 2009, Giampiero Sartori, a former real estate associate registered with Comox Realty Group in Calgary, applied to the Real Estate Council of Alberta (RECA) to withdraw from industry membership in accordance with section 54 of the Real Estate Act.

At the time of his withdrawal application, Mr. Sartori was the subject of an ongoing RECA conduct proceeding. The conduct issues related to a failure to cooperate with a serious RECA investigation.

Mr. Sartori’s application to withdraw was approved by RECA and results in a voluntary lifetime prohibition from industry membership.  By virtue of operation of the Real Estate Act, conduct proceedings are discontinued.  Mr. Sartori’s withdrawal application does not constitute an admission of misconduct.

The Real Estate Council of Alberta (RECA) is an independent, non-government agency, responsible for regulating real estate, mortgage broker, and real estate appraisal 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 members.