Request of assistance

The year 2004 was an exceptional one in terms of certificate renewals. A total of 13,659 certificates were renewed, whereas the ACAIQ membership numbered 12,190 at the beginning of the year. The pilot project for online renewals was very successful.

In addition, the number of candidates to the entrance examination increased by 62% this year. Candidates numbered 3,045 for the affiliated agent examination and 171 for the chartered broker or agent examination. The success rates were 86.9% and 75.4% respectively.

Technology offers new ways for real estate brokers and agents to perform their work. It also gives them access to more information anywhere, any time, in response to professionals’ ever-increasing need for mobility. Aware of information technology’s potential for increasing productivity within our profession, the ACAIQ has taken steps to help members make the most of it.

Last April, the new Synbad Technologies Assisted PurchasingTM service was officially launched at the 2005 ACAIQ Education Event. This new service provides real estate brokers and agents with unsurpassed purchasing power for office automation equipment, access to helpful advice and the ability to choose from a wide variety of leading brand products.

With Synbad Technologies Assisted Purchasing (TM), the ACAIQ gives Québec real estate brokers and agents access to a team of experts to assist them with the purchase of office and computer equipment. This team, made up of a purchasing manager and two advisors, is on the lookout for technological advances and answers the requests and questions of ACAIQ members regarding the purchase of computer hardware.

Dear colleagues,

January 2005 • After several years of service on the Chapter Board, it is not unusual to see members leave occasionally. In this regard, we would like to replenish some positions of administrator for 2005-2006.

This is an invitation to join us on the Board. there is no special requirement and if you have an availability of about three hours a month to assist a meeting, you meet the conditions.

Please submit your name at least 15 days before April 13th, 2005 to Mr. Normand Lamontagne, FRI, at (514) 865-8511.

Thank you for your participation.

Serge Delage, FRI
President

In September the ACAIQ adopted a policy on the prevention and control of violence and harassment. This policy, set forth in the wake of the adoption of a new provision of the Labour Standards Act in the area of psychological harassment, is designed to ensure that all can enjoy a respectful and safe work environment, free from any violence or verbal, physical, psychological or sexual abuse. It applies to all Association personnel, both men and women and it governs relations between management and employees, between directors and employees, between colleagues and between personnel and clients, i.e. the members of the ACAIQ and the general public. It also applies to sub-contractors, suppliers, users, visitors and clients.

This past October, a half-day session was presented to all employees and directors of the Association in order to introduce this policy to everyone and make sure all understand its impact. The training covered the policy’s field of application, the definitions of psychological harassment, sexual harassment, abuser of power or authority and violence, threats and bullying. It also covered individual responsibilities, assistance for plaintiffs, internal procedures for processing complaints, the setting up of an investigation committee and disciplinary measures.

The Association strongly encourages real estate brokerage firms to adopt a policy on psychological harassment in order to raise their employees’ awareness of this problem and help prevent it.

A real estate or mortgage broker whose licence is suspended or revoked is no longer authorized to practice his profession or carry out brokerage transactions. He must cease any real estate or mortgage brokerage-related activity.

As information technologies are enabling new ways of working, the ACAIQ created Synbad Technologies Assisted Purchasing to help real estate brokers and agents with their purchases of office and computer equipment. In order to offer efficient solutions that meet members' needs, commercial agreements have been negotiated with suppliers covering:

The ACAIQ is once again this year encouraging all brokers and agents to submit their nominees for the 2005 edition of the Québec Real Estate Brokerage Award. If you know someone working in the real estate brokerage field who stands out by their skills, commitment, behaviour and influence within the profession, please introduce them to us by March 4, 2005.

The recipient will be chosen by a jury appointed by the Association’s Board of Directors. The award, a bronze medal symbolizing an immovable under the sign of elevation, cooperation and success, will be presented as part of the 2005 ACAIQ Education Event to be held at Manoir Richelieu on April 25, 26 and 27, 2005.