Review-Mirror

The Review-Mirror September 8, 2016 – 16 By Margaret Brand The Review-Mirror The Ontario govern- ment will be regulating the home inspection industry with new rules which could protect buy- ers from hiring a home inspector without the expertise for the task. Last month Govern- ment and Consumer Ser- vices Minister Marie- France Lalonde announced legislation would be introduced this fall which would protect consumers by requiring home inspectors to be licensed, qualified, and overseen by an indepen- dent administrative authority. The new regulations would also set minimum standards for contracts, home inspection reports, disclosures, and the per- formance of home inspec- tions. It's a change which can't come soon enough for Cam Allen, a long- time proponent of regula- tory restrictions to qualify home inspectors. He oper- ates All-Tech Consulting group from his home in Watsons Corners and serves customers in the Sharbot Lake, Gananoque and Kingston triangle. "It's been a long time coming. I sat in a CMCHC office in Gatineau in 1999 when they first started the origi- nal process. They pro- duced a very good nation- al licensing program which got shot down," said Allen. "It's the only part of a purchase of a home which doesn't fall under any guiding piece of legisla- tion," he said. Lawyers, mortgage brokers, and real estate brokers and agents are all regulated by their profes- sions but for home buyers it's buyer beware when it comes to home inspectors. "Anyone can have a flashlight. Software pro- grams are $69 from the Internet," he said. Home inspectors aren't different from other trades said Allen who's tired of low threshold for calling yourself a home inspector. Allen began in the build- ing trade as a carpenter and has evolved into a home inspector and green building expert. "To be a plumber an electrician, a carpenter you must go through an apprenticeship which is standard to the trade. In order to have a licensed trade there must be a stan- dardized certification process outside of any outside organization. It's a technical business," he said. Allen is optimistic the push for new regulation has finally been success- ful "My sense is they will have it done this fall. I think it will slide through the house because all par- ties have approved it in principle," he said. Home inspector a long-time proponent of regulating his profession Mirror The Review 43 Bedford St., Westport, ON  K0G 1X0 273-8000 • 1-800-387-0796 email: advertising@review-mirror.com Trades People, Landscapers, Designers, Building Supply Outlets, etc. The Review Mirror will be publishing an Fall Home Improvement Supplement Thursday, September 22nd Don't miss this great opportunity to let the readers know about the services and supplies offered locally Deadline for advertising is Friday, September 16th Contact: Bill Ritchie at Lions $10,000 winners The Westport Lions $10,000 draw, held at the beach Saturday, was split between two tickets. Above, Lions Kevin Kar- dash, left, and Wayne Bent, present a $5,000 cheque to Barb and Mar- cel DesForges of West- port. At right, Andrea Wilkinson and John Har- ris of Stanleyville collect their $5,000 cheque. Community and Prima- ry Health Care (CPHC) could begin operating a once-a-week Adult Day Program at Country Roads Community Health Centre in Portland. The program runs suc- cessfully five-days-a- week in Brockville, two days in Prescott, and a day every week in Gananoque and in Kemptville. This month the pro- gram in Portland has had to close temporarily until the number of clients mak- ing use of the program increases to sustainable numbers. "As soon as we get a number of people on the list we will open it right back up," said CPHC manager Tina Mont- gomery who remembers when the program had as many as ten clients in Portland. The program is funded by the Southeast LHIN to provide a benefit for care- givers and the adults under their care. The program is open to adults over 18 and can include those who have a brain injury or other cognitive impair- ment, are socially isolated or have physical limita- tions. The social and recre- ational program can include crafts, cards, bin- gos, and exercises and always includes a meal at lunchtime. While of benefit to the adult participants it is also of benefit to the caregivers who have a second set of eyes noticing changes in their clients. Cost of the program is $20 per day and $6.50 for transportation if it is required. CPHC doesn't refuse anyone because of their ability to pay. For more information contact Tina Montgomery at 613 342-3693 ext. 2040. Adult Day Program needs more participants to continue in Portland ServiceOntario re-opens in Westport this week Westport's new Service Ontario location was sched- uled to open Wednesday, Sept. 7. The new centre, located in the Village Pharmacy at 3 Church Street, will be open Monday to Friday 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Saturdays from 9 a. m. to 1 p.m. The service was provided next door at the former Murphy's Barber & Sport Shop for decades until Betty Anne Murphy passed away last year.

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