Finance Minister Michael de Jong made the following statement in response to the Real Estate Council of B.C. releasing the Independent Advisory Group’s final report on B.C.’s real estate sector.

“I’d like to thank the Independent Advisory Group for their time and deliberations.

“The report is a comprehensive examination of the practices and challenges plaguing the real estate industry right now, and paints a troubling picture. It includes 28 recommendations to improve the sector’s governance, oversight, transparency and accountability for consumers, including seven recommendations for government.

“These recommendations address all aspects of governance, oversight and regulation of the real estate industry, as well as protection and fairness for consumers against questionable behaviour in the market.

“The government will announce actions to strengthen consumer protection tomorrow.”