Professional Standards: Compliance and Enforcement is a Shared Obligation

New Professional Standards Handbook provides greater clarity and enhanced procedures for complaints process.

Since 1955, Members of the Real Estate Institute of Canada have set themselves apart as a select group of highly experienced real estate professionals devoted to higher ethical standards, advanced knowledge, and continuing education. Bound by a mutual ongoing commitment to uphold REIC’s uncompromising higher business practices, REIC Members pledge to abide by the professional imperatives of integrity, prudence, competence, cooperation and full disclosure.

These practice requirements are inherent in the REIC Code of Professional Standards (as well as the IREM Code of Professional Ethics, which is applicable to those holding CPM®, ARM® and ACoM designations) and it is incumbent on all Members – including Candidate Members – to act in strict accordance with these measures of professional conduct. In turn, it is REIC’s responsibility to maintain, promote and enforce the Code in order to ensure that the credibility of REIC, its designations, and its Members, is never compromised. Enforcement of the Code, though, relies heavily on Members. Accordingly, it is the duty of all Members to bring Code violations and cases of Unauthorized Use of Designations to the attention of the Professional Standards Committee (PSC), as well as cooperate with any investigation, if requested by the PSC.

It is also important to understand that, while the Board of Directors is the ultimate authority within REIC, the administration of all professional conduct complaints has been delegated by the Board to the PSC. In practical terms, this means that the PSC is empowered to review, investigate and discipline any Member. In doing so, the committee is directed by the procedures elaborated in the REIC Professional Standards Handbook. Additionally, both those who are the subject of a complaint or are considering submitting a complaint will also find guidance in the Handbook.

Earlier this year, REIC undertook a robust review and revision process of the Handbook. Over an intensive five-month period, REIC senior staff rewrote the procedures, clarified and enhanced the complaints process, added needed guidelines for case Researchers, and updated the PSC Terms of Reference. Following a thorough review by the PSC – and ultimately an endorsement by the committee for the proposed final version – the new Handbook was approved at the June meeting of the REIC Board of Directors. This new version of the Handbook is now available on the REIC website for download. Many thanks are extended to the PSC for their time, expertise and thoughtful review of this comprehensive document.

During the past year, the PSC reviewed seven complaints of professional misconduct by Members. Of these complaints, three were dismissed and four resulted in charges against a Member. From among the four Members who were charged, two terminated their REIC membership and one was terminated due to non-payment of dues. Additionally, five cases of Unauthorized Use of Designations were brought to the attention of the PSC in 2017, all of which were followed up by staff and received letters directing them to cease and desist the use of our designations. •