Purpose
The Administrative Agreement between the government and RECO requires that the board establish an advisory process for direct input to the board on issues of importance to consumers. As such, these terms of reference will be made public, and a report on the advisory process will be included in the annual report.Responsibilities
The Consumer and Industry Advisory Group (CIAG) is the mechanism whereby the board fulfils its obligations under the Administrative Agreement. The CIAG serves in an advisory capacity to the CEO, and also provides reports to the RECO board for publication in the annual report. As such, the CIAG is responsible to:- Provide observations, identify gaps, and recommend opportunities for improvement within RECO’s services, policies, and actions as they affect the public
- Advocate for the public interest and for public input on consumer issues that fall within RECO’s mandate
- Perform other such responsibilities as may be determined by the CEO from time to time
- Addressing strategic priorities and governance issues of RECO, unless such priorities and issues are pertinent to the mandate of the CIAG
- Carrying out staff work, such as representing RECO in public or undertaking projects to fulfill RECO’s due diligence for considering the impact of its activities on consumers and the public
- Taking a position on priorities or timetables to address issues or allocation of resources (financial, human or capital)
- Representing all consumers or even a specific demographic group, beyond being reasonably diligent to be observant and to maintain a holistic perspective
- Representing RECO to the public, including the press and other agencies
Structure, terms and selection of members
CIAG selections committee
Membership of the CIAG will be determined by the CIAG selections committee, composed of the CIAG chair and vice-chair, as well as the CEO. The CIAG selections committee will receive applications and interview and score potential members against criteria it determines are required at the time. The CIAG’s decision on membership is final, however the CIAG selections committee may choose to consult with the other members of the CIAG in the evaluation process.Composition and terms
- The CIAG shall consist of 12 members: six registrants and six consumers. Members of the CIAG may not be on the RECO Board of Directors nor any board committee, statutory committee or other RECO committee.
- All CIAG members will be independent of RECO and the CEO, and will identify any real or perceived conflicts to the chair of CIAG in a timely manner.
- Industry representatives will be selected to ensure brokers of record, branch managers, brokers and salespersons from across Ontario practicing in both residential and commercial real estate are represented.
- Consumer representatives will be selected to ensure geographical representation from across Ontario.
- Appointments will be made for a two-year term, staggered to minimize the impact of changes to membership of the CIAG. There is a lifetime maximum of three terms per member, and a member will be eligible for reappointment on a consecutive basis. Reappointment will be based on factors such as member attendance, participation, currency of experience, and ability to replace.
Duties and functions of the CIAG
CIAG members shall:- Be sufficiently familiar with RECO’s current and evolving activities that they can understand such activities and identify consumer issues warranting consideration
- Identify and discuss emerging or substantive issues affecting consumers in the regulated real estate sector
- Attend and properly prepare for meetings, undertaking any relevant research and consultation members may feel necessary to be well-informed on intended agenda items to participate actively in discussions
- Be responsive and provide advice related to strategies that will enhance stakeholder engagement and consumer/registrant awareness campaigns
- Provide advice related to the laws that RECO administers, standards of registrant conduct, leading practices, and RECO’s communications related to real estate sector issues and/or regulatory requirements
- Advise on specific projects, which could include preparation of discussion papers related to current practices in Ontario and/or other jurisdictions, and recommendations related to RECO’s approach to new and emerging issues in the real estate sector
- Review the terms of reference for the CIAG on not less than an annual basis, and make recommendations for change to RECO as may be required
- Perform such other duties and responsibilities as may be assigned
Chair and vice-chair election, term, and responsibilities
The CIAG shall select and appoint a chair and vice-chair from the members using a nomination and confidential voting process. Candidates may self-nominate.- The term of the chair and vice-chair is two years.
Chair responsibilities
- Presiding over meetings
- Setting meeting agendas in consultation with the CEO and the staff member responsible for the administration of the CIAG
- Representing the CIAG at board meeting for the purpose of making recommendations to the board as required under the Administrative Agreement
- Ensuring actions of the CIAG are in accordance with the CIAG terms of reference
- Reporting to RECO’s CEO on issues of relevance, and
- Addressing issues of non-performance of individual CIAG members
Vice-chair responsibilities
- Supporting the chair and fulfilling the duties of the chair in the absence of the chair
CIAG reporting
The purpose of the annual reporting process is to:- Facilitate comprehensive disclosure
- Reinforce RECO’s commitment to consumer protection in the public interest
- Provide the CEO and, where appropriate, the board, with the opportunity to review the relationship with the CIAG as well as RECO’s ability to support the activities of the CIAG
Remuneration and expenses
All members of the CIAG will be paid per diems for their attendance at meetings, according to the Policy on Board and Committee Remuneration, and they are permitted to claim expenses according to the Policy on Reimbursement of Expenses.Member expectations
RECO responsibilities
- Administering the meetings through providing agendas in consultation with the CIAG chair
- Transmitting all meeting materials to members at least seven days ahead of the CIAG meeting
- Taking appropriate minutes of meetings, reviewing the same with the chair, and presenting them for approval at the following CIAG meeting
- Making necessary arrangements to facilitate meetings, whether in person or virtually
- Governance support for the chair and vice-chair
- Making the necessary arrangements for the reports to the board and for the annual report
- Posting the terms of reference and CIAG meeting minutes to RECO’s website
- Providing orientation to new members
- Providing assistance to members with the remuneration and expense process