The Chatham-Kent Association of Realtors (CKAR) recently organized a professional development session for local real estate professionals.
The event focused on the evolving risks and responsibilities within today’s real estate landscape.
Hosted at the Links of Kent Golf Course, the session delivered practical, real-world insight through expert-led presentations from Jon Quaglia of J. Quaglia Law, Trevor Hinnegan of Hinnegan Law Professional Corporation, and MicroAge Chatham.
Topics included navigating complex deal structures and avoiding common legal pitfalls; understanding probate, power of attorney, and risk exposure; strengthening cybersecurity awareness in an increasingly digital industry; and staying aligned with regulatory expectations and professional standards.
Attendees also heard from Jean Lépine, administrator of the Real Estate Council of Ontario (RECO), who provided updates on regulatory direction and the importance of maintaining trust and accountability within the profession.
“This session reflects our commitment to ensuring our members are not only informed, but prepared,” said CKAR President Carrie Patrick in a media release. “In a rapidly changing environment, access to credible information and expert insight is essential to protecting both consumers and the integrity of our industry.”
Customer appreciation
Bioped has a customer appreciation day that’s fast approaching.
The footwear and foot-care business, located on Grand Avenue East in Chatham, has special deals running from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday.
Get custom fitted with their complementary shoe fittings, because their motto is, “The right fit makes all the difference.”
Stop in for in-store specials, and you could win a new pair of shoes, with a value of up to $250.
Just a reminder that Bioped’s Soles-4-Souls shoe drive is on, where people can donate their shoes to help those in need.
Enjoy refreshments and treats while touring the clinic and meeting the store team.
Clarke crews sign
Employees of Clarke Construction Inc. recently ratified a three-year collective agreement providing wage increases, improved benefits, and enhanced allowances.
The employees are represented by Construction Workers Union, CLAC Local 53. The union has represented the company’s employees since 2010.
The 100-member group, which includes labourers, equipment operators, truck drivers, and mechanics, voted 67 per cent in favour of the new contract and secured wage increases of 12 per cent over the term. The agreement also includes annual increases of $0.10 per hour to retirement contributions, improvements to life insurance and vision coverage, a $100 increase to the boot allowance, and increases to travel and living-out allowances.
“It was a solid round of bargaining,” said Jason Turkington, a truck driver, union steward, and member of the union bargaining committee. “It forced us to consider how members would be paid fairly in the face of continued inflation on items such as food and energy, while also ensuring that our employer would remain competitive and gain projects as the country deals with a possible recession. In the end, we were able to responsibly deal with those issues.”
Clarke Construction provides services such as road reconstruction, site servicing, bridge construction, and municipal infrastructure installation, including water, sanitary, and storm sewer systems in the Chatham area and southwestern Ontario. The company also specializes in renewable energy projects, horizontal directional drilling, hydro excavation, and aggregate supply and trucking.
- Business Voice is a bi-monthly column in The Chatham Voice that highlights some of the achievements made and efforts underway in Chatham-Kent’s business community. Send your information to [email protected].
