July 26, 2024 (Toronto)
Following Minister’s orders received in January 2024, the Real Estate Council of Ontario (RECO) confirmed the members on each of two new advisory councils – the Consumer Advisory Council (CAC) and Industry Advisory Council (IAC). These two councils have replaced the previous Consumer and Industry Advisory Group, which has now been dissolved.

The CAC and IAC will each play an important role in advising RECO’s Board of Directors and management team on matters related to consumer protection, challenges and opportunities, and emerging trends for Ontario’s real estate sector.

Following a comprehensive recruitment and selection process, RECO is pleased to announce the members of its inaugural councils.

“We were incredibly impressed by the quality of the applicants for both councils,” said Michael Beard, RECO’s CEO. “It was a challenge to select the final members. We thank all those who asked to be considered and we look forward to working to further consumer protection in the real estate sector with the members of these inaugural councils.”

Consumer Advisory Council (CAC)

• Jeff Donnelly, Chief Consumer Protection Officer, OMVIC, Toronto (Chair)
• Austin Spademan, Head of Partnerships, Bird Canada, Toronto (Vice-chair)
• James (Daniel) Fleming, Retired logistics officer, Canadian Armed Forces, Richmond (Ottawa)
• Rahul Malhotra, Manager, Pharmacovigilance, Specialty Health Network by Shoppers Drug Mart, Mississauga
• Ashish Patel, Director of Hotel Operations, Mohawk Motel, Brantford
• SS Rishad, CPA, Founder/Owner, Fort York Finance, Mississauga

More details about the CAC, including terms of reference, can be found on RECO’s website.

Industry Advisory Council (IAC)

• Tim Lee, Broker, Century 21 Synergy Realty Inc. and Vice-chair of RECO’s Board, Smiths’ Falls (Chair)
• Subhir Uppal, MBA, CEO/Broker of Record, UppaBe, Ottawa (Vice-chair)
• Kevin Ali, Vice President, Operations/Broker of Record, Zolo Canada, Toronto
• Ann Forbes Arndt, Broker, Royel LePage Macro Realty Inc, Hamilton
• Tania Artenosi, Broker of Record/Owner, Coldwell Banker The Real Estate Centre, Richmond Hill
• Shenali De Mel, Broker, Century 21 Millenium Inc, Brampton
• Sandra Lee Marques, Broker/Director of Operations, MacDonald Property Group with EXP Realty Inc, Ottawa
• Sandra O’Donohue, Broker, Royal LePage Frank Real Estate, Whitby
• Lori Roberts, Broker, RE/MAX Rouge River Realty Ltd., Ajax
• Carlo Racioppo, Broker of Record/Owner, Royal LePage Realty Plus, Mississauga

More details about the IAC, including terms of reference, can be found on RECO’s website.

The inaugural meetings of both councils are expected to take place in late July/early August 2024.

About RECO

The Real Estate Council of Ontario (RECO) is a not-for-profit corporation that regulates real estate agents and brokerages in the province.

RECO protects the public interest through a safe and informed real estate market for consumers in Ontario.

RECO holds real estate agents to professional standards and strives to educate consumers to ensure they understand their rights and responsibilities, including through the mandatory distribution of the RECO Information Guide by a real estate agent prior to engaging in any service with a client.

For further information, please contact:
Real Estate Council of Ontario
mediacontact@reco.on.ca