Alberta fires board of real estate regulator, cites paralyzing dysfunction
Posted October 9, 2019 8:02 pm.
Last Updated October 9, 2019 8:10 pm.
EDMONTON – The Alberta government is moving to fire the entire board that regulates the provincial real-estate industry on the grounds it is hopelessly dysfunctional and wracked by infighting.
“There’s a lack among council members and between council and administration as evidenced by several complaints and allegations amongst and between council members and administration and a request to the minister to intervene in council affairs from council members,” said Service Alberta Minister Nate Glubish.
He has tabled Bill 15 known as the Real Estate Amendment Act that will allow the province to dismiss the board and appoint an interim administrator until a new board is in place.
By appointing an interim administrator he says it will allow the Real Estate Council of Alberta to “continue its critical functions such as hearings and appeals processes and it would establish a transition process towards the formation of a new council.”
Earlier today, I tabled bill 15 to bring an end to dysfunction with the real estate regulator. If passed, this legislation will enable us to dismiss the council, appoint an administrator, and establish a transition process for a new council. #ableg pic.twitter.com/0BT0yYEpJM
— Nate Glubish (@nateglubish) October 9, 2019
The problems plaguing the Real Estate Council of Alberta, Glubish says, have gone on too long and critical work is not being addressed.
The decision follows an outside audit report on the council commissioned by the government earlier this year.
The report by KPMG says the board has been spending too much time on internal and administrative matters.
It says focus committees have been left empty, meetings have not been held and there’s been a lack of oversight on spending.
The Canadian Press.
