Approval Authority: Senior Management Group
Liaison: Director, Stakeholder Relations
Approval Date: April 26, 2024
Effective Date: April 26, 2024
Revised/Restated:
Next Review Date: June 2025
Preamble
The Real Estate Council of Ontario (“RECO”) is a not-for-profit corporation that administers and enforces the Trust in Real Estate Services Act, 2002 (TRESA), and its related regulations. RECO acts in the public interest by promoting a safe and informed marketplace and administering the rules that real estate salespeople (agent and brokers) and brokerages must follow.
Under its Administrative Agreement with the Minister of Public and Business Service Delivery (“Minister”), RECO’s Board is required to establish an advisory process for direct input to the Board on issues of importance to consumers.
RECO had previously constituted a joint Consumer and Industry Advisory Group (“CIAG”). The Minister issued an order on January 3, 2024, requiring RECO to establish an Industry Advisory Council (“IAC”) to provide a forum to enable RECO to obtain advice and input from registrants to make informed decisions related to its consumer protection mandate. Concurrent with the creation of a new IAC, RECO has disbanded the CIAG and will create a separate Consumer Advisory Group.
I. Purpose
The purpose of the CAC is to provide guidance and advice to the RECO Board of Directors (“Board”) on issues pertaining to RECO’s consumer protection mandate and activities, as well as issues identified by RECO.
II. Authority
The role of the CAC is advisory. Any advice or recommendations will be reviewed and considered by the Board and may or may not result in action.
The role of the CAC does not include:
- Decision-making on strategic, operational, or policy priorities;
- Decision-making on allocation of financial and human resources;
- Representing RECO to the public, including the media and other agencies; and
- Considering or making recommendations on items that fall into the authority of RECO’s Registrar with respect to enforcement activities.
The CAC Chair will make a report to the Board on an annual basis, or more frequently, as required. Meeting minutes will be available on RECO’s website once approved by the CAC, and a summary of its work will be included in RECO’s annual report.
III. Chair, Vice Chair and membership composition
- The Committee shall consist of a minimum of five and up to 10 members, subject to the criteria identified in section IV.
- The inaugural Chair and Vice Chair will be selected by RECO’s CEO and the outgoing CIAG Chair, and thereafter, the Chair and Vice Chair will be selected by the CAC from among its members.
- The selection of the Chair will consider the following criteria:
- A positive orientation to RECO’s consumer protection mandate,
- Prior experience chairing meetings or committee and related meetings,
- Specific governance experience, knowledge, and training,
- Experience managing divergent thoughts and discussions,
- Examples of impartiality or objectivity,
- Effective communication with multiple stakeholders, and
- Demonstrated decision making and time management skills.
- Inaugural members of the CAC will be selected by the CEO and the outgoing CIAG Chair. Thereafter, members of the committee will be selected by the RECO’s CEO, and the CAC Chair and Vice Chair, from a list of candidates provided by RECO’s management, vetted through a selection process.
IV. Membership criteria
CAC members will be individuals with a variety of backgrounds and demonstrated experience, including but not limited to:
- A basic understanding of buying or selling real estate in Ontario as a buyer or seller;
- Consumer advocacy or acting on behalf of consumers in the public interest;
- Experience in public service or regulated sectors; or
- Experience in communications, marketing, or consumer education.
Individuals who are considered to be non-sector, for at least a year, as defined by the following:
- Shall not be a registered agents or brokers;
- Shall not be individuals who are directors, officers, employees, or agents of registered brokerages; and
- Shall not be members, officers, employees, or directors of industry associations.
Members of the CAC must:
- Possess a positive orientation to RECO’s consumer protection mandate;
- Understand RECO’s mandate and have a commitment to its values, goals, and objectives;
- Represent the interests of consumers;
- Bring a balanced approach to making recommendations that are effective, practical, and implementable;
- Be willing to adhere to confidentiality obligations and conflict of interest requirements; and
- Have time and availability to prepare for and attend CAC meetings.
In addition to the requirements outlined above, RECO will endeavour to ensure that members of the CAC:
- Represent diversity in Ontario and include a range of perspectives (ethnic, gender, age, profession;
- Represent geographical diversity in Ontario;
- Have demonstrated credibility, integrity, and high ethical standards in their business dealing;
- Shall not have any disciplinary action recorded against them by any regulatory body;
- Are not employees of RECO nor connected by family or association with employees of RECO;
- Are not a member of the RECO Board or connected by family or association with a RECO Board member, or members of or connected by family or association with a member of any other RECO advisory committees or groups; and
- Are not connected by family or association with a RECO registrant.
V. Terms
Inaugural members of the CAC will be appointed to serve variable terms of two, three, or four years. Inaugural members may be eligible for reappointment at the end of their term at the discretion of the CEO and the CAC Chair subject to the term limit noted below.
The inaugural CAC Chair will be appointed to serve for a term of up to two years.
The Vice Chair will be appointed for a term of two years.
Upon the completion of the terms of the inaugural CAC members, new members will be appointed to serve a term of three years. Returning members may be eligible for reappointment at the end of their term at the discretion of the CEO and CAC Chair subject to a limit of two terms or maximum seven years.
VI. CAC Chair, Vice Chair, and member responsibilities
RECO will provide an orientation for new members, providing an overview of RECO’s Business Plan, the CAC’s mandate, and member roles and responsibilities.
The CAC Chair is responsible for:
- Liaising with the CEO or delegated RECO staff member to establish CAC agendas, reports to the Board, etc.;
- Presiding over meeting;
- Reviewing meeting minutes and materials in advance of CAC meetings;
- Meeting with the CEO and/or other delegated RECO staff, or CAC members with respect to matters before the CAC; and
- Providing a report to the Board annually on the activities of the CAC.
The CAC Vice Chair will assume the responsibilities of the Chair in the event of the Chair’s absence.
CAC members are expected to:
- Prepare for, attend, and participate in all scheduled meetings;
- Be responsive and provide timely advice to RECO during and between meetings;
- Be sufficiently familiar with RECO’s mandate and activities to fulfill the purpose and objectives of the CAC;
- Safeguard the confidentiality of materials and discussions, including refraining from posting any details on social media or other electronic platform; and
- Refrain from using participation in the CAC to gain benefit or influence RECO or any other organization in a way that may be considered a perceived, potential, or actual conflict of interest.
Each CAC member shall sign a Confidentiality Agreement and Conflict of Interest Declaration and attest to compliance annually. CAC members may also be required to confirm acceptance of other RECO policies applicable to the CAC.
VII. Meetings and reporting
The CAC will hold at least two meetings per year. Additional meetings may be called at the discretion of the CAC Chair and CEO in the event relevant issues arise between meetings.
Meetings will generally be held virtually. While meetings can take place without a simple majority of CAC members present, formal recommendations to RECO’s Board require a simple majority of those CAC members currently presiding.
The CEO and CAC Chair are responsible for setting the agenda for CAC meetings, with input from members and management. The meeting agenda and supporting materials will be sent to each member in advance of the meeting.
Meeting minutes will be prepared by RECO for approval of the CAC at either its subsequent meeting, or via the approval of a majority all sitting CAC members by email. Upon CAC Chair and CEO approval, minutes will be posted on RECO’s website and will be provided to the Board at its next scheduled meeting.
RECO will provide administrative support to the CAC, such as scheduling meetings, distributing meeting materials, and drafting minutes.
RECO’s CEO and the CAC Chair, upon consultation, may jointly determine that it would be beneficial to the group’s understanding of a specific agenda item to invite an industry professional or other expert to attend a portion of a CAC meeting.
VIII. Termination of membership
Members may resign from the CAC at any time by giving written notice to the CAC Chair or the CEO of RECO.
Membership may be terminated by the CEO, in consultation with the CAC chair, for any of the following reasons:
- Poor attendance,
- Ineffective engagement and contribution at CAC meetings,
- Breach of confidentiality or conflict of interest requirements,
- No longer eligible under item IV; or
- Other reasons as determined by RECO.
IX. Remuneration and expenses
CAC members are eligible to receive a per diems according to RECO’s non-board committee remuneration policy.
Members are able to claim out-of-pocket travel expenses to attend in-person CAC meetings in accordance with RECO’s Policy on Reimbursement of Expenses.
X. Review
These terms of reference will be reviewed every other year, or more frequently, as required.