Micheal Noseworthy named B.C.'s new superintendent of real estate

B.C. has appointed a new superintendent of real estate to oversee the roll out of new regulations for the industry.

Micheal Noseworthy is a former lawyer from Newfoundland and Labrador who has served in a number of positionsfor the Yukon government, including as superintendent of real estate.

The move comes after after a special advisory group concluded the industry had failed to effectively regulate itself. Premier Christy Clark responded by promising to create a new position with expandedpowers to oversee it.

At the time, Clark also announced changes to the real estate council designed to bring the industry under closer government scrutinyand regulation, starting Sept. 30.

"I look forward to drawing upon my experiences as both a regulator and a lawyer with experience in real estate and administrative law to serve the interests of British Columbia's real estate consumers by working swiftly to implement the reforms initiated by the government," Noseworthy said in statement released Monday morning.

As part of the changes, the province has ended self-regulation of the real estate profession by replacing the 13 elected licensees with government-appointed members. The government is still in the process of completing those appointments, said the statement.

The Real Estate Council will continue to be responsible for licensing, licensee and public education, investigation of licensee conduct and licensee discipline.