With respect to Don Procter’s article entitled The push for
professional incorporation (REM, June), it should be noted that while this has
been a lobbying issue for the British Columbia Real Estate Association for a
number of years, it will only become a reality because of the strong positive
working relationship that BCREA has with both the government and the Real
Estate Council of British Columbia. 

Developing the framework for professional corporations has
taken up an enormous amount of the legislators and regulators’ time and
resources during a period of great change within the real estate
industry.  Both of these parties are focused on the protection of
consumers, not on the personal financial planning of Realtors, and so it is extremely
gratifying to have them expend time and energy on this initiative. 
Without the strong relationship, I am not sure that this would have been a
priority for them. 

Once professional incorporation is implemented in B.C., Realtors
should praise the regulator and government for their support in recognizing
that they are professionals and will be treated in the same manner as those in
the legal, accounting and other professions.

Robert Laing
Executive Officer
B.C. Real Estate Association
Vancouver