Identification Paperwork in Real Estate

You may hear real estate agents or their staff use the term FINTRAC when talking about identification requirements. FINTRAC forms have become a standard part of  Real Estate paperwork and are required by federal law.

FINTRAC stands for Financial Transactions and Reports Analysis Centre of Canada. The completion and storage of these documents by real estate agents and the brokerages they work for is a federal requirement.

According to the government's FINTRAC website: The Financial Transactions and Reports Analysis Centre of Canada (FINTRAC) is Canada's financial intelligence unit. Its mandate is to facilitate the detection, prevention and deterrence of money laundering and the financing of terrorist activities, while ensuring the protection of personal information under its control.

Not only is filling out the documents required for every transaction, the documents need to be completed by a professional, such as a licensed real estate agent or a notary/lawyer, bank manager, etc. If you can't meet with your real estate agent in person to complete these forms, a real estate agent in a cooperating office generally will not charge for this service (so if you are a Royal LePage client and can't come in to the office where your listing is you should be able go to any RLP office to fill out the paperwork after your real estate agent arranges it) but a notary/lawyer generally will. If a third party is completing the identification paperwork then an agreement needs to be formally signed between your real estate agent and that third party.

The information collected is kept locked away and confidential.

For more information on this, please visit the website: https://www.fintrac-canafe.gc.ca/intro-eng

It's a Coastal Lifestyle ... Live It!

BCO Coastal Gems: Quadra Island

Quadra Island is the largest (approximately 34 km long) and most populated (approximately 2,500 full-time residents) of the Discovery Island group. It lies between Campbell River on Vancouver Island and the mainland coast of British Columbia, off Canada's west coast. 

Quadra's residents enjoy a rural lifestyle surrounded by a clean unspoiled environment. The breathtaking wilderness scenery, mild temperate climate, and natural beauty make it a popular destination for visitors from around the world. 

There are complete services on the island as well as a wide variety of accommodation and dining from deluxe resorts to rustic campsites. Unlimited adventure recreation includes sport fishing, diving, hiking on over 200 km of hiking trails, sea kayaking, powerboat and sailing. There are many beaches, sheltered coves, protected channels and islets along the intricate shoreline and the rich waters fed by large tidal exchanges nourish abundant marine life.  

All regular services are available on Quadra and the full service community of Campbell River on Vancouver Island is just a 10-minute ferry ride away from Quathiaski Cove. From Heriot Bay, ferry service operates to Whaletown on Cortes Island.

It's a Coastal Lifestyle ... Live It!

Transformations on the Shore 2019

Every year on the shores of Campbell River chainsaw carvers gather for a four day competition. Spectators are welcome and there is always a good crowd. Between the location - Frank James Park in Willow Point - and the time of year - late June - this event is a great one to attend.

If you visit more than one day you can really see the artists' visions come to life. Going from a rough piece of wood to a finished carving in just four days is an impressive feat! There are a number of categories and prizes are awarded in each.

While some of the carvings are already spoken for and so leave right after the competition ends, a number of them remain in Frank James Park for a good part of the summer, allowing locals and tourists to get a good look at them.

Transformations on the Shore is definitely one of the things that heralds the start of summer in Campbell River!

It's a Coastal Lifestyle ... Live It!