As a licensed Realtor, I must protest. The requirements I now have to work under are bad enough. Now FINTRAC is adding another responsibility that I should not have to comply with.

  
Yes, money laundering and terrorism is a concern for everyone, but do you really think that a terrorist or a drug dealer can’t figure out how to circumvent these inconvenient forms? Why should a Realtor have to do federal policing for the government? Also what about all the For Sale By Owner websites? You haven’t targeted them for your program. Who do you think a terrorist or drug dealer is going to buy from, a licensed Realtor or a private seller? Obviously a private seller, who isn’t worried about who they sell to.
 
As Realtors we are constantly scrutinized, we have to disclose everything about every transaction. As far as I’m concerned, the government of Canada and FINTRAC have overstepped their boundaries and are shoving these new regulations down my throat. As a Canadian and a Realtor, I hope that my concerns do not fall on deaf ears. Canada used to be a place of freedom. There have been so many rules and regulations placed upon us Canadians that I feel that my basic freedoms have been slowly eroded.  I do not live in fear of terrorists or drug dealers as you would want me to. A government that has its people living in fear is only trying to keep control. I do not need these types of programs in place as I would make damn sure that I contacted the proper authorities if I came upon a suspicious transaction by myself.
 
Once the criminals and terrorists become familiar with FINTRAC, they will certainly not subject themselves to scrutiny by anyone who has to comply with FINTRAC. It’s my opinion that this government has just made it less likely that they will catch terrorists and criminals trying to launder money, not to mention the complete waste of taxpayers money. I now fear my government more than any terrorist or criminal, as you are putting me in harms way.
 
George Roach
Century 21 Bob Sutton Realty
Quesnel, B.C.