Home Inspection Act, 2017, S.O. 2017, c. 5, Sched. 1

CONTENTS PART I INTERPRETATION AND APPLICATION 1. Interpretation 2. Non-application of Act PART II ADMINISTRATION Delegation 3. Designation of administrative authority 4. Administrative agreement 5. Policy directions 6. Compliance by administrative authority 7. Review 8. Conflict 9. Revocation of designation 10. Condition precedent for exercise of certain powers Administrative Authority 11. Criteria and directives re board members 12. Board appointments 13. Change in number of directors 14. Appointment of chair 15. Public access to corporate information 16. Employees 17. Not Crown agency 18. No personal liability, Crown employee 19. No Crown liability 20. Indemnification of the Crown 21. No personal liability, board members and others 22. Not public money 23. Audit 24. Reports 25. Administrator 26. Status of board during administrator’s tenure Powers and Duties of Administrative Authority 27. Additional powers 28. Change to objects or purposes 29. Right to use French 30. Advisory councils, advisory process 31. Duty to inform Minister 32. Advice of administrative authority 33. Forms and fees Miscellaneous 34. Director 35. Registrar 36. Offences, administrative authority PART III LICENSING 37. Prohibition, home inspections 38. Exemptions 39. Notification of licence required 40. Application for licence 41. Conditions of licence 42. Refusal without a hearing 43. Refusal with a hearing 44. Notice re: refusal, suspension, etc. 45. Continuation pending renewal 46. Immediate suspension 47. Further application PART IV REGULATION OF LICENSEES 48. Notice of changes to registrar 49. Notice to registrar re corporations 50. Notice of issue or transfer of shares 51. Contract required for home inspection 52. Home inspection report 53. Restrictions on employees 54. Disclosure of interest 55. False information 56. No counselling contraventions PART V COMPLAINTS, DISCIPLINE, INSPECTIONS, INVESTIGATIONS AND ENFORCEMENT Complaints and Discipline 57. Complaints 58. Discipline proceedings Inspections and Investigations 59. Statutory inspectors 60. Inspections without warrant 61. Appointment of investigators 62. Investigations with warrant 63. Seizure of things not specified 64. Searches in exigent circumstances 64.1 Report when things seized Enforcement 65. Compliance orders 66. Offences 67. Orders for compensation, restitution 68. Default in payment of fines 69. Liens and charges PART VI GENERAL 70. Confidentiality 71. Service 72. Fees 73. Certificate as evidence 74. Information concerning licensees 75. Minister’s regulations, codes, etc. 76. Lieutenant Governor in Council regulations 77. Ontario Association of Home Inspectors continued PART I INTERPRETATION and Application Interpretation 1 (1) In this Act, “administrative agreement” means the agreement described in subsection 4 (1); (“accord d’application”) “administrative authority” means the corporation that the Lieutenant Governor in Council has designated as such under subsection 3 (1); (“organisme d’application”) “client” means a person who enters into a contract to receive a home inspection; (“client”) “delegated provisions” means the provisions of this Act and the regulations for which the administration is delegated to the administrative authority under subsection 3 (2); (“dispositions déléguées”) “employ” means to employ, appoint, authorize or otherwise arrange to have another person act on one’s behalf, including as an independent contractor; (“employer”) “equity share” means, in respect of a corporation, a share of a class or series of shares of a corporation that carries a voting right either under all circumstances or under circumstances that have occurred and are continuing; (“action participante”) “home inspection” means the service of providing an opinion as to the condition of a dwelling or residential property based on a non-invasive evaluation of any of the features and components of the dwelling or property that are prescribed but does not include an activity excluded by the regulations; (“inspection immobilière”) “home inspection provider” means a person who offers or holds oneself out as being available to arrange or contract for a home inspection to be performed; (“fournisseur de services d’inspection immobilière”) “home inspector” means an individual who meets the prescribed requirements to be licensed as a home inspector under this Act; (“inspecteur immobilier”) “investigator” means an investigator appointed under subsection 61 (1); (“enquêteur”) “licensee” means a home inspection provider or home inspector who is licensed under this Act; (“titulaire de permis”, see also “agréé”) “Minister” means the Minister of Government and Consumer Services or any other member of the Executive Council to whom the responsibility for the administration of this Act is assigned under the Executive Council Act; (“ministre”) “officer” includes, (a) the chair and any vice-chair of the board of directors, the president and any vice-president, the secretary and assistant secretary, the treasurer and assistant treasurer and the general manager and assistant general manager of a corporation, (b) a partner or general manager and assistant general manager of a partnership, and (c) any other individual designated as an officer by by-law or resolution of an organization or any other individual who performs functions normally performed by an individual occupying such office; (“dirigeant”) “prescribed” means prescribed by the regulations; (“prescrit”) “regulations” means regulations made under this Act; (“règlements”) “statutory inspector” means a statutory inspector appointed under subsection 59 (2); (“inspecteur”) “Tribunal” means the Licence Appeal Tribunal established under the Licence Appeal Tribunal Act, 1999 or any other tribunal that is prescribed. (“Tribunal”) Associated persons (2) For purposes of this Act, one person is associated with another person in any of the following circumstances: 1. One person is a corporation of which the other person is an officer or director. 2. One person is a partnership of which the other person is a partner. 3. Both persons are partners of the same partnership. 4. One person is a corporation that is controlled directly or indirectly by the other person. 5. Both persons are corporations and one corporation is controlled directly or indirectly by the same person who controls directly or indirectly the other corporation. 6. Both persons are members of the same voting trust relating to shares of a corporation. 7. Both persons are associated within the meaning of paragraphs 1 to 6 with the same person. Non-application of Act 2 Subject to the regulations, this Act does not apply to a holder of a licence or certificate of practice under the Architects Act or a holder of a licence, limited licence, temporary licence, provisional licence or certificate of authorization under the Professional Engineers Act. Note: On the later of the day section 2 of Schedule 1 (Home Inspection Act, 2017) to the Putting Consumers First Act (Consumer Protection Statute Law Amendment), 2017 comes into force and the day subsection 1 (1) of Schedule 1 to the Enhancing Access to Justice Act, 2024 comes into force, section 2 of the Act is amended by striking out “a holder of a licence or certificate of practice” and substituting “a holder of a licence, limited licence or certificate of practice”. (See: 2024, c. 2, Sched. 1, s. 19) Section Amendments with date in force (d/m/y) 2024, c. 2, Sched. 1, s. 19 - not in force PART II ADMINISTRATION Delegation Designation of administrative authority 3 (1) The Lieutenant Governor in Council may, by regulation, designate a not-for-profit corporation without share capital incorporated under the laws of Ontario as the administrative authority for the purposes of this Act. Delegation of administration (2) If the Lieutenant Governor in Council designates a corporation as the administrative authority, the administration of all provisions of this Act and the regulations, except for this Part, sections 75, 76 and 77 and Part VII, is delegated to the authority and the authority shall carry out the administration of the delegated provisions. Administrative agreement 4 (1) The Lieutenant Governor in Council shall not designate a corporation under subsection 3 (1) as the administrative authority until the Minister and the corporation have entered into an agreement to be known as the administrative agreement. Contents (2) The administrative agreement shall include, at a minimum, terms related to the following matters with respect to the administrative authority: 1. The governance of the authority. 2. All matters that the Minister considers necessary for the authority to carry out the administration of the delegated provisions. 3. The maintenance by the authority of adequate insurance against liability arising out of the carrying out of its powers and duties under this Act or the regulations. 4. The financial terms of the delegation of the administration of the delegated provisions, including payments to the Crown, licence fees, royalties and reimbursements for transfer of assets. Compliance with operating principle (3) The administrative agreement shall require the administrative authority to comply with the principle of promoting the protection of the public interest. Amendment by Minister (4) Subject to section 10, the Minister may unilaterally amend the administrative agreement, after giving the administrative authority the notice that the Minister considers reasonable in the circumstances. Policy directions 5 (1) Subject to section 10, the Minister may issue policy directions to the administrative authority related to its powers and duties under this Act or the regulations, after giving the authority the notice that the Minister considers reasonable in the circumstances. Part of the administrative agreement (2) The policy directions are deemed to form part of the administrative agreement. Compliance (3) The administrative authority shall comply with the policy directions and shall implement measures to do so. Compliance by administrative authority 6 In carrying out its powers and duties under this Act or the regulations, the administrative authority shall comply with the administrative agreement, this Act, the regulations and other applicable law. Review 7 (1) The Minister may, (a) require that policy, legislative or regulatory reviews related to the powers and duties of the administrative authority under this Act, the regulations or the administrative agreement be carried out, (i) by or on behalf of the authority, or (ii) by a person or entity specified by the Minister; or (b) require that reviews of the administrative authority, of its operations, or of both, including, without limitation, performance, governance, accountability and financial reviews, be carried out, (i) by or on behalf of the authority, or (ii) by a person or entity specified by the Minister. Access to records (2) If a review is carried out by a person or entity specified by the Minister, the administrative authority shall give the person or entity specified by the Minister and the employees of the person or entity access to all records and other information required to conduct the review. Conflict 8 In the event of conflict, this Act and the regulations prevail over, (a) the administrative agreement; (b) the Corporations Act, the Corporations Information Act or a regulation made under either of those Acts; and Note: On the later of the day subsection 4 (1) of the Not-for-Profit Corporations Act, 2010 comes into force and the day section 8 of this Act comes into force, clause 8 (b) is amended by striking out “the Corporations Act” and substituting “the Not-for-Profit Corporations Act, 2010”. (See: 2017, c. 5, Sched. 1, s. 78 (1); 2017, c. 20, Sched. 8, s. 148) (c) the administrative authority’s constating documents, by-laws and resolutions. Section Amendments with date in force (d/m/y) 2017, c. 5, Sched. 1, s. 78 (1) - not in force Revocation of designation 9 (1) The Lieutenant Governor in Council may, by regulation, revoke the designation of the administrative authority if the Lieutenant Governor in Council considers it advisable to do so in the public interest. Revocation for non-compliance (2) The Lieutenant Governor in Council may, by regulation, revoke the designation of the administrative authority if, (a) the authority has failed to comply with this Act, the regulations, other applicable law or the administrative agreement; (b) the Minister has allowed the authority the opportunity of remedying its default within a specified time period that the Minister considers reasonable in the circumstances; and (c) the authority has not remedied its default to the Minister’s satisfaction within the specified time period mentioned in clause (b) and the Minister has so advised the Lieutenant Governor in Council. Same, no restriction on subs. (1) (3) Nothing in subsection (2) restricts the ability of the Lieutenant Governor in Council to act under subsection (1). Revocation on request (4) The Lieutenant Governor in Council may, by regulation, revoke the designation of the administrative authority on the terms that the Lieutenant Governor in Council considers advisable in the public interest if the authority requests the revocation. Transition (5) If the Lieutenant Governor in Council revokes the designation of the administrative authority under this section, the Lieutenant Governor in Council may, by regulation, provide for any transitional matter necessary for the effective implementation of the revocation. Condition precedent for exercise of certain powers 10 The Minister may exercise a power under subsection 4 (4), 5 (1), 25 (1) or 28 (1) only if the Minister is of the opinion that it is advisable to exercise the power in the public interest because at least one of the following conditions is satisfied: 1. The exercise of the power is necessary to prevent serious harm to the interests of the public and clients. 2. An event of force majeure has occurred. 3. The administrative authority is facing a risk of insolvency. 4. The number of members of the board of the administrative authority is insufficient for a quorum. Administrative Authority Criteria and directives re board members 11 (1) The Minister may, by order, (a) establish competency criteria for members of the board of the administrative authority; and (b) make rules about the nomination of members, the appointment or election process, the length of their terms and whether they may be reappointed or re-elected. Competency criteria (2) A person is qualified to be appointed or elected to the board only if the person meets any competency criteria established under clause (1) (a). Conflict (3) In the event of conflict, an order made under subsection (1) prevails over a by-law or resolution of the administrative authority. Board appointments 12 (1) The Minister may appoint one or more members to the board of the administrative authority for a term specified in the appointment. Majority (2) The number of members appointed by the Minister shall not form a majority of the board. Composition (3) The members appointed by the Minister may include, (a) representatives of the public, consumer groups, businesses or government organizations; and (b) representatives of other interests as the Minister determines. Change in number of directors 13 The Minister may, by order, increase or decrease the number of members of the board of the administrative authority. Appointment of chair 14 The Minister may appoint a chair from among the members of the board of the administrative authority. Public access to corporate information 15 (1) The administrative authority shall make available to the public, by electronic or other means, the following information within the prescribed time: 1. Prescribed information relating to the compensation of board members, officers and employees and relating to any other payments that the administrative authority makes or is required to make to them. 2. Corporate by-laws of the administrative authority. 3. Any other information that is prescribed. Compensation information (2) A regulation made under paragraph 1 of subsection (1) may require that the administrative authority make available to the public under that subsection information relating to the compensation of a board member or officer who is in office on the day this section comes into force or an individual who is an employee on that day, where the information is for a period that begins before that day. Effect of compliance (3) If the administrative authority makes available to the public information relating to compensation in accordance with subsection (1), or in the reasonable belief that action is required by that subsection, the authority shall not be deemed by any court or person, (a) to contravene any Act or regulation enacted or made before or after the coming into force of this section; or (b) to be in breach of or contrary to any agreement that purports to restrict or prohibit that action regardless of whether the agreement is made before or after the coming into force of this section. Processes and procedures (4) The administrative authority shall follow the prescribed processes and procedures with respect to providing access to the public to records of the authority and with respect to managing personal information contained in those records. Employees 16 (1) Subject to the administrative agreement, the administrative authority may employ or retain the services of any qualified person to carry out any of its powers and duties under this Act or the regulations. Not Crown employees (2) The following persons are not employees of the Crown and shall not hold themselves out as such: 1. Persons who are employed or whose services are retained under subsection (1). 2. Members, officers and agents of the administrative authority. 3. Members of the board of the administrative authority, including those appointed by the Minister. Not Crown agency 17 (1) Despite the Crown Agency Act, the administrative authority is not an agent of the Crown for any purpose and shall not hold itself out as such. Same (2) The following persons are not agents of the Crown and shall not hold themselves out as such: 1. Persons who are employed or whose services are retained by the administrative authority. 2. Members, officers and agents of the administrative authority. 3. Members of the board of the administrative authority, including those appointed by the Minister. No personal liability, Crown employee 18 (1) No action or other proceeding shall be instituted against an employee of the Crown for an act done in good faith in the execution or intended execution of a duty under this Act or the regulations or for an alleged neglect or default in the execution in good faith of the duty. Tort by Crown employee (2) Despite subsections 5 (2) and (4) of the Proceedings Against the Crown Act, subsection (1) does not relieve the Crown of liability in respect of a tort committed by an employee of the Crown to which it would otherwise be subject. Note: On the later of the day section 33 of Schedule 17 to the Protecting What Matters Most Act (Budget Measures), 2019 comes into force and the day subsection 18 (2) of this Act comes into force, subsection 18 (2) of the Act is amended by striking out “subsections 5 (2) and (4) of the Proceedings Against the Crown Act” and substituting “subsection 8 (3) of the Crown Liability and Proceedings Act, 2019”. (See: 2019, c. 7, Sched. 17, s. 90 (1)) Section Amendments with date in force (d/m/y) 2019, c. 7, Sched. 17, s. 90 (1) - not in force No Crown liability 19 (1) No cause of action arises against the Crown, a minister of the Crown, a Crown employee or a Crown agent as a result of any act or omission of a person who is not a minister of the Crown, a Crown employee or a Crown agent, if the act or omission is related, directly or indirectly, to the activities or affairs of the administrative authority or to the administration of this Act. No proceeding (2) No proceeding for damages, including but not limited to a proceeding for a remedy in contract, restitution, tort or trust, shall be instituted against the Crown, a minister of the Crown, a Crown employee or a Crown agent by a person who has suffered any damages, injury or other loss based on or related to any cause of action described in subsection (1). Indemnification of the Crown 20 The administrative authority shall indemnify the Crown, in accordance with the administrative agreement, in respect of damages and costs incurred by the Crown for any act or omission of the authority or its members, officers, directors, employees or agents in the execution or intended execution of their powers and duties under this Act, the regulations or the administrative agreement. No personal liability, board members and others 21 (1) No action or other proceeding shall be instituted against a person mentioned in subsection (2), for an act done in good faith in the execution or intended execution of any of the person’s powers or duties under this Act or the regulations or for an alleged neglect or default in the execution in good faith of that power or duty. Same (2) Subsection (1) applies to, (a) members of the board of the administrative authority; (b) persons who perform functions under this Act or the regulations as employees, agents or officers of the administrative authority or as persons whose services it retains; (c) members of committees of the administrative authority who perform functions under this Act or the regulations; and (d) individuals who perform functions under this Act or the regulations. Liability of administrative authority (3) Subsection (1) does not relieve the administrative authority of liability to which it would otherwise be subject. Not public money 22 (1) The money that the administrative authority collects in carrying out its powers and duties under this Act or the regulations is not public money within the meaning of the Financial Administration Act. Same (2) The administrative authority may use the money described in subsection (1) to carry out activities in accordance with its objects, subject to subsection 28 (2) and any restrictions in this Part. Audit 23 (1) The Auditor General appointed under the Auditor General Act may conduct an audit of the administrative authority, other than an audit required under the Corporations Act. Note: On the later of the day subsection 4 (1) of the Not-for-Profit Corporations Act, 2010 comes into force and the day section 23 of this Act comes into force, subsection 23 (1) is amended by striking out “the Corporations Act” and substituting “the Not-for-Profit Corporations Act, 2010”. (See: 2017, c. 5, Sched. 1, s. 78 (2); 2017, c. 20, Sched. 8, s. 148) Access to records and information (2) If the Auditor General conducts an audit under subsection (1), the administrative authority shall give the Auditor General and employees of the Auditor General access to all records and other information required to conduct the audit. Section Amendments with date in force (d/m/y) 2017, c. 5, Sched. 1, s. 78 (2) - not in force Reports 24 (1) The board of the administrative authority shall report to the Minister on its activities and financial affairs as they relate to this Act and the administrative agreement. Form and contents (2) The report shall be in a form acceptable to the Minister and shall provide the information that the Minister requires. Time for reports (3) The board of the administrative authority shall prepare the report for each year and at the other times that the Minister specifies. Disclosure by board (4) The board of the administrative authority shall publish the report on the authority’s website and by any other method within the period and in the manner that the Minister requires. Administrator 25 (1) Subject to section 10, the Minister may, by order, appoint an individual as an administrator of the administrative authority for the purposes of assuming control of it and responsibility for its activities. Notice of appointment (2) The Minister shall give the board of the administrative authority the notice that the Minister considers reasonable in the circumstances before appointing the administrator. Immediate appointment (3) Subsection (2) does not apply if there are not enough members on the board to form a quorum. Term of appointment (4) The appointment of the administrator is valid until the Minister makes an order terminating it. Powers and duties of administrator (5) Unless the order appointing the administrator provides otherwise, the administrator has the exclusive right to exercise all the powers and perform all the duties of the directors, officers and members of the administrative authority. Same, limitations (6) In the order appointing the administrator, the Minister may specify the administrator’s powers and duties and the conditions governing them. Right of access (7) The administrator has the same rights as the board in respect of the documents, records and information of the administrative authority. Report to Minister (8) The administrator shall report to the Minister as the Minister requires. Minister’s directions (9) The Minister may issue directions to the administrator with regard to any matter within the administrator’s jurisdiction, and the administrator shall carry them out. No personal liability (10) No action or other proceeding shall be instituted against the administrator for an act done in good faith in the execution or intended execution of a duty or power under this Act, the regulations, the delegated provisions, a Minister’s order or the appointment under subsection (1), or for an alleged neglect or default in the execution in good faith of that duty or power. Crown liability (11) Despite subsections 5 (2) and (4) of the Proceedings Against the Crown Act, subsection (10) does not relieve the Crown of liability to which it would otherwise be subject. Note: On the later of the day section 33 of Schedule 17 to the Protecting What Matters Most Act (Budget Measures), 2019 comes into force and the day subsection 25 (11) of this Act comes into force, subsection 25 (11) of the Act is amended by striking out “subsections 5 (2) and (4) of the Proceedings Against the Crown Act” and substituting “subsection 8 (3) of the Crown Liability and Proceedings Act, 2019”. (See: 2019, c. 7, Sched. 17, s. 90 (2)) Liability of administrative authority (12) Subsection (10) does not relieve the administrative authority of liability to which it would otherwise be subject. Section Amendments with date in force (d/m/y) 2019, c. 7, Sched. 17, s. 90 (2) - not in force Status of board during administrator’s tenure 26 (1) On the appointment of an administrator under section 25, the members of the board of the administrative authority cease to hold office, unless the order provides otherwise. Same (2) During the term of the administrator’s appointment, the powers of any member of the board who continues to hold office are suspended, unless the order provides otherwise. No personal liability (3) No action or other proceeding shall be instituted against a member or former member of the board for anything done by the administrator or the administrative authority after the member’s removal under subsection (1) or while the member’s powers are suspended under subsection (2). Crown liability (4) Despite subsections 5 (2) and (4) of the Proceedings Against the Crown Act, subsection (3) does not relieve the Crown of liability to which it would otherwise be subject. Note: On the later of the day section 33 of Schedule 17 to the Protecting What Matters Most Act (Budget Measures), 2019 comes into force and the day subsection 26 (4) of this Act comes into force, subsection 26 (4) of the Act is amended by striking out “subsections 5 (2) and (4) of the Proceedings Against the Crown Act” and substituting “subsection 8 (3) of the Crown Liability and Proceedings Act, 2019”. (See: 2019, c. 7, Sched. 17, s. 90 (3)) Liability of administrative authority (5) Subsection (3) does not relieve the administrative authority of liability to which it would otherwise be subject. Section Amendments with date in force (d/m/y) 2019, c. 7, Sched. 17, s. 90 (3) - not in force Powers and Duties of Administrative Authority Additional powers 27 (1) The administrative authority may carry out other activities in accordance with its objects or purposes, subject to subsection (2). Commercial activities (2) The administrative authority shall not engage in commercial activity through a person or entity that is related to the authority. Change to objects or purposes 28 (1) Subject to section 10, the Minister may require that the administrative authority make a specified change to its objects or purposes. Minister’s approval required (2) The administrative authority shall not make any changes to its objects or purposes unless the Minister’s written approval is obtained in advance. Right to use French 29 (1) A person has the right to communicate in French with, and to receive available services in French from, the administrative authority. Definition (2) In subsection (1), “service” means any service or procedure that is provided to the public by the administrative authority in carrying out its powers and duties under this Act or the regulations and includes, (a) responding to inquiries from members of the public, and (b) any other communications for the purpose of providing the service or procedure. Board’s duty (3) The board of the administrative authority shall take all reasonable measures and make all reasonable plans to ensure that persons may exercise the right to use French given by this section. Limitation (4) The right to use French given by this section is subject to the limits that are reasonable in the circumstances. Advisory councils, advisory process 30 The Minister may require the administrative authority to, (a) establish one or more advisory councils; (b) include, as members of an advisory council, representatives of the public, consumer groups, businesses or government organizations and other persons as the Minister determines; or (c) undertake an advisory process in which it seeks advice from one or both of the public and persons with experience or knowledge relating to this Act. Duty to inform Minister 31 The administrative authority shall promptly inform and advise the Minister with respect to, (a) any material fact that could affect the authority’s ability to perform its duties under this Act or the regulations; or (b) any urgent or critical matter that is likely to require action by the Minister to ensure that the administration of the delegated provisions is carried out properly. Advice of administrative authority 32 (1) The administrative authority shall advise or report to the Minister on any matter that the Minister refers to it and that relates to this Act or the administration of the delegated provisions. Same (2) The administrative authority may suggest to the Minister amendments to Ontario legislation that it considers would, (a) further the purpose of this Act; or (b) assist the authority in carrying out its powers and duties under this Act or the regulations. Forms and fees 33 (1) The administrative authority may, (a) establish forms related to the administration of the delegated provisions; (b) in accordance with processes and criteria established by the administrative authority and approved by the Minister, set and collect fees, costs or other charges related to the administration of the delegated provisions; and (c) make rules governing the payment of the fees, costs and charges described in clause (b). Setting fees (2) In setting the fees, costs and charges described in clause (1) (b), the administrative authority may specify their amounts or the method for determining the amounts. Same (3) The amounts may be determined on the basis of each home inspection that a licensed home inspector performs or for which a licensed home inspection provider arranges or contracts to be performed. Publication of fee schedule (4) The administrative authority, (a) shall publish the fees, costs and charges, the processes and criteria and the rules on its website and in any other way described in the administrative agreement; and (b) may publish them in any other format that the administrative authority considers advisable. Miscellaneous Director 34 (1) Subject to subsection (2), the following person or body shall appoint a director for the purposes of this Act and may appoint a maximum of two deputy directors: 1. The board of the administrative authority. 2. The Minister, if there is no administrative authority. Director cannot be registrar (2) A person appointed as the registrar or a deputy registrar under subsection 35 (1) shall not be appointed as the director or a deputy director under subsection (1). Deputy director, duties (3) A deputy director shall perform the duties that the director assigns and shall act as director in the director’s absence. If more than one deputy director (4) If more than one deputy director is appointed, only one deputy director may act as the director under subsection (3) at any one time. Registrar 35 (1) Subject to subsection (2), the following person or body shall appoint a registrar for the purposes of this Act and may appoint a maximum of two deputy registrars: 1. The board of the administrative authority. 2. The Minister, if there is no administrative authority. Registrar cannot be director (2) A person appointed as the director or a deputy director under subsection 34 (1) shall not be appointed as the registrar or a deputy registrar under subsection (1). Powers and duties of registrar (3) The registrar shall exercise the powers and perform the duties imposed on him or her under this Act. Same, deputy registrar (4) A deputy registrar shall perform the duties that the registrar assigns and shall act as the registrar in the registrar’s absence. If more than one deputy registrar (5) If more than one deputy registrar is appointed, only one deputy registrar may act as the registrar under subsection (4) at any one time. Offences, administrative authority 36 (1) If the administrative authority knowingly contravenes this Act or the regulations, the authority is guilty of an offence and on conviction is liable to a fine of not more than $100,000 for each day or part of a day on which the offence occurs or continues. Individuals (2) A director, officer, employee or agent of the administrative authority who knowingly contravenes this Act or the regulations is guilty of an offence. Directors and officers (3) A director or officer of the administrative authority is guilty of an offence if the person, (a) knowingly causes, authorizes, permits or participates in the commission by the authority of an offence mentioned in subsection (1); or (b) fails to take reasonable care to prevent the authority from committing an offence mentioned in subsection (1). Penalty (4) A person who is convicted of an offence under subsection (2) or (3) is liable to a fine of not more than $25,000 for each day or part of a day on which the offence occurs or continues. PART III LICENSING Prohibition, home inspections 37 (1) No person shall perform a home inspection unless the person is licensed as a home inspector. Same, acting as a home inspection provider (2) No person shall act as a home inspection provider unless, (a) the person is licensed as a home inspection provider; or (b) the person is a sole proprietor who is licensed as a home inspector and who does not employ or retain any other licensed home inspectors. Unlicensed persons (3) A person who is not licensed as a home inspector or a home inspection provider shall not, (a) directly or indirectly hold oneself out as being a home inspector or home inspection provider, respectively; or (b) perform any of the functions of a home inspector or a home inspection provider, respectively. Licence a requirement to bring action (4) Except as otherwise prescribed, no action, application, arbitration or other legal proceeding shall be commenced for remuneration for performing any of the functions of a home inspector or a home inspection provider unless, at the time of performing those functions, the person bringing the proceeding was licensed or exempt from licensing under this Act and the proceeding may be stayed upon motion. Exception (5) Subsection (4) does not affect, (a) any right of an employee, within the meaning of the Employment Standards Act, 2000 or a successor Act to it, to commence an action, application, arbitration or other legal proceeding for the recovery of wages or the enforcement of other rights provided under an employment contract, the common law or other legislation; or (b) any right to commence an action, application, arbitration or other legal proceeding for the recovery of wages or the enforcement of other rights provided under a collective agreement. Change in partnership (6) A change in the membership of a licensed partnership shall be deemed to create a new partnership for the purpose of the licence. Exemptions 38 Despite section 37, a licence shall not be required in respect of performing the functions of a home inspector or a home inspection provider by the persons or in the circumstances that are prescribed. Notification of licence required 39 Subject to section 45, no home inspector or home inspection provider shall perform the functions of a home inspector or a home inspection provider respectively until notified in writing by the registrar that the home inspector or the home inspection provider, as the case may be, is licensed. Application for licence 40 (1) An applicant that meets the prescribed requirements is entitled to a licence or a renewal of a licence by the registrar unless, (a) the applicant is not a corporation and, (i) having regard to the applicant’s financial position or the financial position of an interested person in respect of the applicant, the applicant cannot reasonably be expected to be financially responsible in engaging in the activities of a licensee, (ii) the past or present conduct of the applicant or of an interested person in respect of the applicant affords reasonable grounds for belief that the applicant will not perform the activities of a licensee in accordance with law and with integrity and honesty, or (iii) the applicant or an employee or agent of the applicant makes a false statement or provides a false statement in an application for a licence or for a renewal of a licence; (b) the applicant is a corporation and, (i) having regard to its financial position or the financial position of an interested person in respect of the corporation, the applicant cannot reasonably be expected to be financially responsible in engaging in the activities of a licensee, (ii) having regard to the financial position of its officers or directors or an interested person in respect of its officers or directors, the applicant cannot reasonably be expected to be financially responsible in engaging in the activities of a licensee, (iii) the past or present conduct of its officers or directors or of an interested person in respect of its officers or directors or of an interested person in respect of the corporation affords reasonable grounds for belief that it will not perform the activities of a licensee in accordance with the law and with integrity and honesty, or (iv) an officer or director of the corporation makes a false statement or provides a false statement in an application for a licence or for a renewal of a licence; (c) the applicant or an interested person in respect of the applicant is carrying on activities that are, or will be if the applicant is licensed, in contravention of this Act or the regulations, other than the code of ethics established under section 75; (d) the applicant is in breach of a condition of the licence; or (e) the applicant fails to comply with a request made by the registrar under subsection (3). Interested person (2) For the purposes of this section, a person shall be deemed to be an interested person in respect of another person if the person is associated with the other person or if, in the opinion of the registrar, (a) the person has or may have a beneficial interest in the other person’s activities; (b) the person exercises or may exercise control either directly or indirectly over the other person; or (c) the person has provided or may have provided financing either directly or indirectly to the other person’s activities. Request for information (3) The registrar may request an applicant for a licence or a renewal of a licence to provide to the registrar, in the form and within the time period specified by the registrar, (a) information specified by the registrar that is relevant to the decision to be made by the registrar as to whether or not to grant the licence or renewal; and (b) verification, by affidavit or otherwise, of any information described in clause (a) that the applicant is providing or has provided to the registrar. Conditions of licence 41 (1) A licence is subject to the conditions to which the applicant or licensee consents, that the registrar applies under section 43, that the Tribunal orders or that are prescribed. Licence not transferable (2) A licence is not transferable. Refusal without a hearing 42 (1) If an applicant for a licence or a renewal of a licence does not meet the prescribed requirements, the registrar shall refuse to grant or renew the licence. No hearing (2) Section 44 does not apply to a refusal under subsection (1) to grant or renew a licence. Notice of refusal (3) The registrar shall give the applicant written notice of a refusal under subsection (1), setting out the reasons for the refusal, and subsection 71 (3) does not apply to the notice. Refusal with a hearing 43 (1) Subject to section 44, the registrar may refuse to license an applicant or may suspend or revoke a licence or refuse to renew a licence if, in his or her opinion, the applicant or licensee is not entitled to a licence under section 40. Conditions (2) Subject to section 44, the registrar may, (a) approve the licence or the renewal of a licence on the conditions that the registrar considers appropriate; and (b) at any time, apply to a licence the conditions that the registrar considers appropriate. Notice re: refusal, suspension, etc. 44 (1) The registrar shall notify an applicant or licensee in writing if the registrar proposes to, (a) refuse under subsection 43 (1) to grant or renew a licence; (b) suspend or revoke a licence; or (c) apply conditions to a licence or renewal to which the applicant or licensee has not consented. Content of notice (2) The notice of proposal shall set out the reasons for the proposed action and shall state that the applicant or licensee is entitled to a hearing by the Tribunal if the applicant or licensee mails or delivers, within 15 days after service of the notice, a written request for a hearing to the registrar and to the Tribunal. Service of notice (3) The notice of proposal shall be served on the applicant or licensee in accordance with section 71. Service of hearing request (4) A request for a hearing under subsection (2) is sufficiently served if delivered personally or sent by registered mail to the registrar and to the Tribunal. Same (5) If service is made by registered mail, it shall be deemed to be made on the third day after the day of mailing. Other methods (6) Despite subsection (4), the Tribunal may order any other method of service. If no request for hearing (7) If the applicant or licensee does not request a hearing in accordance with subsection (2), the registrar may carry out the proposal. Hearing (8) If the applicant or licensee requests a hearing in accordance with subsection (2), the Tribunal shall hold the hearing and may, by order, direct the registrar to carry out the registrar’s proposal or substitute its opinion for that of the registrar and the Tribunal may attach conditions to its order or to a licence. Parties (9) The registrar, the applicant or licensee and the other persons that the Tribunal specifies are parties to the proceedings under this section. Immediate effect (10) Even if a licensee appeals an order of the Tribunal under section 11 of the Licence Appeal Tribunal Act, 1999, the order takes effect immediately, unless the order provides otherwise, but the Divisional Court may grant a stay until the disposition of the appeal. Voluntary cancellation (11) The registrar may cancel a licence upon the request in writing of the licensee and this section does not apply to the cancellation. Continuation pending renewal 45 If, within the time prescribed or, if no time is prescribed, before the expiry of the licensee’s licence, the licensee has applied for a renewal of a licence and paid the required fee, the licence shall be deemed to continue until, (a) the renewal is granted; (b) the registrar gives the licensee written notice of the registrar’s refusal under section 42 to grant the renewal; (c) the time for requesting a hearing under section 44 has expired if the licensee receives a notice of a proposal under that section and does not request such a hearing; or (d) the Tribunal makes its order if the licensee receives a notice of a proposal under section 44 and does request such a hearing. Immediate suspension 46 (1) If the registrar proposes to suspend or revoke a licence under section 43 and if the registrar considers it in the public interest to do so, the registrar may by order temporarily suspend the licence. Immediate effect (2) An order under subsection (1) takes effect immediately. Expiry of order (3) If the licensee requests a hearing under section 44, the order expires 15 days after the Tribunal receives the written request for a hearing, but the Tribunal may extend the time of expiration until the hearing is concluded, if a hearing is commenced within the 15-day period. Same (4) Despite subsection (3), if the Tribunal is satisfied that the conduct of the licensee has delayed the commencement of the hearing, it may extend the time of the expiration for the order, (a) until the hearing commences; and (b) once the hearing commences, until the hearing is concluded. Further application 47 Once a decision of the registrar to refuse a person a licence or a renewal of a licence or to revoke a licence of a person has become final, the person may reapply for a licence only if, (a) the time prescribed to reapply has passed since the refusal or revocation; and (b) the person satisfies the registrar that new or other evidence is available or that material circumstances have changed. PART IV REGULATION OF LICENSEES Notice of changes to registrar 48 (1) Every licensed home inspection provider shall, within five days after the event, notify the registrar in writing of, (a) any change in address for service; and (b) the date of commencement or termination of the employment of every home inspector that the provider employs and, in the case of the termination of employment of a home inspector, the reason for the termination. Same, home inspector (2) Every licensed home inspector shall, within five days after the event, notify the registrar in writing of, (a) any change in address for service; (b) if applicable, the commencement or termination of his or her employment by a home inspection provider and the date of the commencement or termination, as the case may be; and (c) if applicable and if the inspector performs a home inspection on behalf of a home inspection provider, but not as an employee of the provider, the commencement or termination of so acting and the date of the commencement or termination, as the case may be.

Change in officers or directors (3) A licensed home inspection provider that is a corporation or a partnership shall not change its officers or directors except with the prior consent of the registrar and shall, after receiving that consent, notify the registrar in writing of the change within five days after making it. Timing (4) The registrar shall be deemed to have received a notice under this section on the day on which he or she actually received it or, if the notice is sent by mail, on the day of mailing. Notice to registrar re corporations 49 (1) When a home inspection provider that is a corporation is licensed and on each renewal of its licence, the provider shall disclose to the registrar the identity of, (a) each person that beneficially owns or controls 10 per cent or more of the equity shares issued and outstanding at the time of the licence or the renewal of the licence, as the case may be; and (b) persons that are associated with each other and that together beneficially own or control 10 per cent or more of the equity shares issued and outstanding at the time of the licence or the renewal of the licence, as the case may be. Calculating number of shares (2) In calculating the total number of equity shares of the corporation beneficially owned or controlled for the purposes of this section, the total number shall be calculated as the total number of all shares beneficially owned or controlled, but each share that carries the right to more than one vote shall be calculated as the number of shares equal to the total number of votes carried. Notice of issue or transfer of shares 50 (1) In addition to the disclosure required under section 49, every licensed home inspection provider that is a corporation shall notify the registrar in writing within 30 days after the issue or transfer of any equity shares of the corporation, if the issue or transfer results in, (a) any person, or any persons that are associated with each other, acquiring or accumulating beneficial ownership or control of 10 per cent or more of the total number of all issued and outstanding equity shares of the corporation; or (b) an increase in the percentage of issued and outstanding equity shares of the corporation beneficially owned or controlled by any person, or any persons who are associated with each other, where the person or the associated persons already beneficially owned or controlled 10 per cent or more of the total number of all issued and outstanding equity shares of the corporation before the issue or transfer. Same (2) Despite subsection (1), if a licensee that is a corporation becomes aware of a transfer that otherwise falls into that subsection after the transfer has taken place, it shall notify the registrar in writing within 30 days after knowledge of the transfer comes to the attention of its officers or directors. Calculating number of shares (3) In calculating the total number of equity shares of the corporation beneficially owned or controlled for the purpose of this section, the total number shall be calculated as the total of all the shares beneficially owned or controlled, but each share that carries the right to more than one vote shall be calculated as the number of shares equal to the total number of votes it carries. Contract required for home inspection 51 (1) No licensed home inspection provider shall arrange or contract for a licensed home inspector to perform a home inspection for a client unless the provider has entered into a written contract with the client that requires the inspector to perform the inspection. Same, home inspector (2) No licensed home inspector shall perform a home inspection for a client unless, (a) a licensed home inspection provider has entered into a written contract with the client that requires the inspector to perform the inspection; or (b) the inspector, acting under clause 37 (2) (b), has entered into a written contract with the client to perform the inspection. Contract contents (3) No home inspection provider and no home inspector shall enter into the contract required by subsection (1) or (2) unless the contract complies with subsections (4) and (5) and the prescribed requirements. Prohibited terms and conditions (4) The contract shall not contain any term or condition that the regulations specify as a prohibited term or condition. Disclosure (5) The contract shall disclose the type and amount of any prescribed insurance that the home inspection provider and the home inspector under the contract have, if any, and any other prescribed information in a clear, comprehensible and prominent manner. Performance of home inspection (6) A home inspector shall not perform a home inspection except in accordance with the contract. Home inspection report 52 (1) Every licensed home inspector that performs a home inspection for a client shall provide a report to the client on the inspection that, (a) discloses the information that the Minister prescribes and that relates to the features and components of the dwelling or residential property that the inspector has inspected; (b) discloses the other information, if any, that the Minister prescribes; and (c) is in writing and is prepared in the form and manner that the Minister prescribes. Copy to home inspection provider (2) If the home inspector has performed the home inspection under a contract that the client has entered into with a home inspection provider, the inspector shall provide a copy of the report to the provider. Restrictions on employees 53 (1) No licensee shall employ an unlicensed person to perform a function for which licensing is required. Duty of licensee (2) A licensee shall ensure that every home inspector that the licensee employs carries out his or her duties in compliance with this Act and the regulations. Disclosure of interest 54 A licensee who, directly or indirectly, has an interest in a contract or transaction to which the client is a party or a proposed contract or transaction to which the client will be a party, shall disclose in writing to the client the nature and extent of the interest, in accordance with the prescribed requirements and in the form determined by the registrar. False information 55 (1) No licensee shall falsify, assist in falsifying or induce or counsel another person to falsify or assist in falsifying any information or document related to the licensee’s performing a home inspection or arranging or contracting for a home inspection. Furnishing information (2) No licensee shall furnish, or induce or counsel another person to furnish, any information or documents related to the licensee’s performing a home inspection or arranging or contracting for a home inspection if the information or documents are false or deceptive. Same, assisting (3) No licensee shall assist in furnishing, or induce or counsel another person to assist in furnishing, any information or documents related to the licensee’s performing a home inspection or arranging or contracting for a home inspection if the licensee knows that the information or documents are false or deceptive. No counselling contraventions 56 No licensee shall counsel, advise or knowingly assist a person to contravene this Act or any other prescribed Act. PART V COMPLAINTS, DISCIPLINE, INSPECTIONS, INVESTIGATIONS AND ENFORCEMENT Complaints and Discipline Complaints 57 (1) If the registrar receives a complaint about a licensee, the registrar may request information in relation to the complaint from any licensee. Request for information (2) A request for information under subsection (1) shall indicate the nature of the complaint. Duty to comply with request (3) A licensee who receives a written request for information shall provide the information as soon as is reasonably possible. Procedures (4) In handling complaints, the registrar may do any of the following, as appropriate: 1. Attempt to mediate or resolve the complaint. 2. Give the licensee a written warning that if the licensee continues with the activity that led to the complaint, action may be taken against the licensee. 3. Require the licensee to take further educational courses. 4. Refer the matter, in whole or in part, to the discipline committee. 5. Take an action under section 43, subject to section 44. 6. Take further action as is appropriate in accordance with this Act. Discipline proceedings 58 (1) A discipline committee is established to hear and determine, in accordance with the prescribed procedures, if a licensee has failed to comply with the code of ethics established under section 75. Appeals committee (2) An appeals committee is established to consider, in accordance with the prescribed procedures, appeals from the discipline committee. Appointment of members (3) The board of the administrative authority or, if there is no administrative authority, the Minister shall appoint the members of the discipline committee and the members of the appeals committee and, in making the appointments, shall ensure that the prescribed requirements for the composition of each committee are met. Result of a determination (4) If the discipline committee makes a determination under subsection (1) that a licensee has failed to comply with the code of ethics, it may order any of the following as appropriate: 1. Require the licensee to take further educational courses. 2. If the licensee is a home inspection provider, require the licensee, in accordance with the terms, if any, that the committee specifies, to fund educational courses for home inspectors employed by the licensee or to arrange and fund the courses. 3. If the licensee is a home inspector, require the home inspection provider that employs the licensee, in accordance with the terms, if any, that the committee specifies, to fund educational courses for home inspectors that the provider employs or to arrange and fund the courses. 4. Impose the fine that the committee considers appropriate, to a maximum of $25,000, or such lesser amount as is prescribed, to be paid by the licensee to the administrative authority or to the Minister of Finance if there is no administrative authority. 5. Suspend or postpone the taking of further educational courses, the funding or the funding and arranging of educational courses or the imposition of the fine for the period and upon the terms that the committee designates. 6. Fix and impose costs that the licensee is required to pay to the administrative authority or to the Minister of Finance if there is no administrative authority. Appeal (5) A party to the discipline proceeding may appeal the final order of the discipline committee to the appeals committee. Power of the appeals committee (6) The appeals committee may, by order, overturn, affirm or modify the order of the discipline committee and may make an order under subsection (4). Taking of educational course (7) A licensee that is required under subsection (4) to take an educational course shall do so, (a) within the time period specified in the order of the discipline committee, if the requirement is not the subject of an appeal; (b) within the time period specified in the order of the appeals committee, if the requirement is the subject of an appeal; or (c) at the first reasonable opportunity after the last order made in respect of the educational course, if no time period is specified in that order. Arranging and funding educational courses (8) A home inspection provider that is required under subsection (4) to fund educational courses for home inspectors that it employs or to arrange and fund such courses shall do so, (a) within the time period specified in the order of the discipline committee, if the requirement is not the subject of an appeal; (b) within the time period specified in the order of the appeals committee, if the requirement is the subject of an appeal; or (c) at the first reasonable opportunity after the last order made in respect of the educational course, if no time period is specified in that order. Payment of fine (9) The licensee shall pay any fine imposed under subsection (4) on or before, (a) the day specified in the order of the discipline committee, if the fine is not the subject of an appeal; (b) the day specified in the order of the appeals committee, if the fine is the subject of an appeal; or (c) the 60th day after the date of the last order made in respect of the fine, if no day is specified in that order. Public access (10) The discipline committee and the appeals committee shall make their decisions available to the public in the manner and at the frequency, if any, that are prescribed. Inspections and Investigations Statutory inspectors 59 (1) The registrar is, by virtue of his or her office, a statutory inspector. Appointment (2) The registrar may appoint persons to be statutory inspectors for the purposes of conducting inspections. Certificate of appointment (3) The registrar shall issue to every statutory inspector a certificate of appointment bearing the registrar’s signature or a facsimile of it. Proof of appointment (4) Every statutory inspector who is conducting an inspection under this Act shall, upon request, produce the certificate of appointment as a statutory inspector. Inspections without warrant 60 (1) A statutory inspector may, without a warrant or court order, conduct an inspection in accordance with this section for the purpose of, (a) ensuring compliance with this Act and the regulations; (b) dealing with a complaint under section 57; or (c) ensuring the licensee remains entitled to a licence. Power to enter premises (2) As part of an inspection, a statutory inspector may, without a warrant or court order, enter and inspect, at any reasonable time, the business premises of a licensee. Powers on inspection (3) While carrying out an inspection, a statutory inspector, (a) is entitled to free access to all money, valuables, documents and records of the person being inspected that are relevant to the inspection; (b) may make reasonable inquiries of any person, orally or in writing, with respect to anything relevant to the inspection; (c) may require a person to produce any document or record relevant to the inspection and to provide whatever assistance is reasonably necessary, including using any data storage, processing or retrieval device or system to produce, in any form, the document or record; (d) may use any data storage, processing or retrieval device or system used to engage in activities of a licensee in order to produce information that is relevant to the inspection and that is in any form; and (e) may, upon giving a receipt for them, remove for examination and copy anything relevant to the inspection, including any data storage disk or other retrieval device in order to produce information, but shall promptly return to the person being inspected the thing that was removed. No use of force (4) A statutory inspector shall not use force to enter and inspect premises under this section. No obstruction (5) No person shall obstruct a statutory inspector conducting an inspection or withhold from the statutory inspector or conceal, alter or destroy any money, documents or records that are relevant to the inspection. Compliance (6) If a statutory inspector under clause (3) (c) requires a person to produce a document or record and to provide assistance, the person shall produce the document or record or provide the assistance, as the case may be. Admissibility of copies (7) A copy of a document or record certified by a statutory inspector to be a true copy of the original is admissible in evidence to the same extent as the original and has the same evidentiary value. Appointment of investigators 61 (1) The director may appoint persons to be investigators for the purposes of conducting investigations. Certificate of appointment (2) The director shall issue to every investigator a certificate of appointment bearing the director’s signature or a facsimile of it. Proof of appointment (3) Every investigator who is conducting an investigation under this Act shall, upon request, produce the certificate of appointment as an investigator. Investigations with warrant 62 (1) Upon application made without notice by an investigator, a justice of the peace may issue a warrant, if satisfied on information under oath that there is reasonable ground for believing that, (a) a person has contravened or is contravening this Act or the regulations or has committed an offence under the law of any jurisdiction that is relevant to the person’s fitness for a licence; and (b) there is, (i) in any building, dwelling, receptacle or place anything relating to the contravention of this Act or the regulations or to the person’s fitness for a licence, or (ii) information or evidence relating to the contravention of this Act or the regulations or the person’s fitness for a licence that may be obtained through the use of an investigative technique or procedure or the doing of anything described in the warrant. 2017, c. 5, Sched. 1, s. 62 (1). Powers under warrant (2) Subject to any conditions contained in it, a warrant obtained under subsection (1) authorizes an investigator, (a) to enter or access the building, dwelling, receptacle or place specified in the warrant and examine and seize anything described in the warrant; (b) to make reasonable inquiries of any person, orally or in writing, with respect to anything relevant to the investigation; (c) to require a person to produce the information or evidence described in the warrant and to provide whatever assistance is reasonably necessary, including using any data storage, processing or retrieval device or system to produce, in any form, the information or evidence described in the warrant; (d) to use any data storage, processing or retrieval device or system used to engage in the activities of a licensee in order to produce information or evidence described in the warrant, in any form; and (e) to use any investigative technique or procedure or do anything described in the warrant. 2017, c. 5, Sched. 1, s. 62 (2). Entry of dwelling (3) Despite subsection (2), an investigator shall not exercise the power under a warrant to enter a place, or part of a place, used as a dwelling, unless, (a) the justice of the peace is informed that the warrant is being sought to authorize entry into a dwelling; and (b) the justice of the peace authorizes the entry into the dwelling. 2017, c. 5, Sched. 1, s. 62 (3). Conditions on warrant (4) A warrant obtained under subsection (1) shall contain the conditions that the justice of the peace considers advisable to ensure that any search authorized by the warrant is reasonable in the circumstances. 2017, c. 5, Sched. 1, s. 62 (4). Expiry of warrant (5) A warrant issued under this section shall name a date of expiry, which shall be no later than 30 days after the warrant is issued, but a justice of the peace may extend the date of expiry for an additional period of no more than 30 days, upon application without notice by an investigator. 2017, c. 5, Sched. 1, s. 62 (5). Time of execution (6) An entry or access under a warrant issued under this section shall be made between 6 a.m. and 9 p.m., unless the warrant specifies otherwise. 2017, c. 5, Sched. 1, s. 62 (6). Use of force (7) An investigator may call upon police officers for assistance in executing the warrant and the investigator may use whatever force is reasonably necessary to execute the warrant. 2017, c. 5, Sched. 1, s. 62 (7). No obstruction (8) No person shall obstruct an investigator executing a warrant under this section or withhold from the investigator or conceal, alter or destroy anything relevant to the investigation being conducted pursuant to the warrant. 2017, c. 5, Sched. 1, s. 62 (8). Expert help (9) The warrant may authorize persons who have special, expert or professional knowledge and other persons as necessary to accompany and assist the investigator in respect of the execution of the warrant. 2017, c. 5, Sched. 1, s. 62 (9). Compliance (10) If an investigator under clause (2) (c) requires a person to produce evidence or information or to provide assistance, the person shall produce the evidence or information or provide the assistance, as the case may be. 2017, c. 5, Sched. 1, s. 62 (10). Return of seized items (11) An investigator who seizes anything under this section or section 63 may make a copy of it and shall return it within a reasonable time. 2017, c. 5, Sched. 1, s. 62 (11). Note: On the day subsection 62 (1) of Schedule 1 to the Putting Consumers First Act (Consumer Protection Statute Law Amendment), 2017 comes into force, subsection 62 (11) of the Act is repealed and the following substituted: (See: 2019, c. 14, Sched. 10, s. 8 (1)) Copies of seized items (11) An investigator who seizes any thing under this section or section 63 may make a copy of it. 2019, c. 14, Sched. 10, s. 8 (1). Admissibility of copies (12) A copy of a document or record certified by an investigator as being a true copy of the original is admissible in evidence to the same extent as the original and has the same evidentiary value. 2017, c. 5, Sched. 1, s. 62 (12). Section Amendments with date in force (d/m/y) 2019, c. 14, Sched. 10, s. 8 (1) - not in force Seizure of things not specified 63 An investigator who is lawfully present in a place pursuant to a warrant or otherwise in the execution of the investigator’s duties may, without a warrant, seize anything in plain view that the investigator believes on reasonable grounds will afford evidence relating to a contravention of this Act or the regulations. Searches in exigent circumstances 64 (1) An investigator may exercise any of the powers described in subsection 62 (2) without a warrant if the conditions for obtaining the warrant exist but by reason of exigent circumstances it would not be reasonably possible to obtain the warrant. Dwellings (2) Subsection (1) does not apply to a building or a part of a building that is being used as a dwelling. Use of force (3) The investigator may, in executing any authority given by this section, call upon police officers for assistance and use whatever force is reasonably necessary. Applicability of s. 62 (4) Subsections 62 (8) to (12) apply, with necessary modifications, to a search under this section. Note: On the day subsection 62 (1) of Schedule 1 to the Putting Consumers First Act (Consumer Protection Statute Law Amendment), 2017 comes into force, the Act is amended by adding the following section: (See: 2019, c. 14, Sched. 10, s. 8 (2)) Report when things seized 64.1 (1) An investigator who seizes any thing under the authority of section 62, 63 or 64 shall bring it before a justice of the peace or, if that is not reasonably possible, shall report the seizure to a justice of the peace. 2019, c. 14, Sched. 10, s. 8 (2). Procedure (2) Sections 159 and 160 of the Provincial Offences Act apply with necessary modifications in respect of a thing seized under the authority of section 62, 63 or 64 of this Act, reading the reference in subsection 160 (1) of that Act to a document that a person is about to examine or seize under a search warrant as a reference to a thing that an investigator is about to examine or seize under the authority of section 62, 63 or 64 of this Act. 2019, c. 14, Sched. 10, s. 8 (2). Section Amendments with date in force (d/m/y) 2019, c. 14, Sched. 10, s. 8 (2) - not in force Enforcement Compliance orders 65 (1) If it appears to the director that a person is not complying with this Act or the regulations or an order made under this Act, the director may apply to the Superior Court of Justice for an order directing that person to comply, and, upon the application, the court may make the order that the court thinks fit. Same (2) Subsection (1) applies in addition to any other procedures that may be available to the director, whether or not the director has exercised his or her rights under the procedures. Appeal (3) An appeal lies to the Divisional Court from an order made under subsection (1). Offences 66 (1) A person or entity, other than the administrative authority, is guilty of an offence if the person or entity, (a) furnishes false information in any application under this Act or in any statement or return required under this Act; (b) fails to comply with any order, direction or other requirement under this Act, other than an order made under section 58; or (c) contravenes or fails to comply with any section of this Act or the regulations made under the Act, other than a code of ethics established under section 75. Home inspection providers (2) An officer or director of a home inspection provider who fails to take reasonable care to prevent the provider from committing an offence mentioned in subsection (1) is guilty of an offence. Penalties (3) A person or entity that is convicted of an offence under this Act is liable to, (a) a fine of not more than $50,000 or imprisonment for a term of not more than two years less a day or both, in the case of an individual; or (b) a fine of not more than $250,000, if the person or entity is not an individual. Limitation (4) No proceeding under this section shall be commenced more than two years after the facts upon which the proceeding is based first came to the knowledge of the director. Orders for compensation, restitution 67 (1) If a person or entity is convicted of an offence under section 66, the court making the conviction may, in addition to any other penalty, order the person or entity convicted to pay compensation or make restitution. If insurance has paid (2) If an order is made in the favour of a person or entity under subsection (1) and that person or entity has already received compensation or restitution from an insurer, the person or entity ordered to pay the compensation or make restitution shall deliver the amount to the insurer. Default in payment of fines 68 (1) If a fine payable as a result of a conviction for an offence under section 66 is in default for at least 60 days, the director may disclose to a consumer reporting agency the name of the defaulter, the amount of the fine and the date the fine went into default. If payment made (2) Within 10 days after the director has received notice that the fine has been paid in full, the director shall inform the consumer reporting agency of the payment. Liens and charges 69 (1) If a fine payable as a result of a conviction for an offence under section 66 is in default for at least 60 days, the director may by order create a lien against the property of the person or entity that is liable to pay the fine. Liens on personal property (2) If the lien created by the director under subsection (1) relates to personal property, (a) the Personal Property Security Act, except Part V, applies with necessary modifications to the lien, despite clause 4 (1) (a) of that Act; (b) the lien shall be deemed to be a security interest that has attached for the purposes of the Personal Property Security Act; and (c) the director may perfect the security interest mentioned in clause (b) for the purposes of the Personal Property Security Act by the registration of a financing statement under that Act. Liens and charges on real property (3) If the lien created by the director under subsection (1) relates to real property, the director may register the lien against the property of the person or entity liable to pay the fine in the proper land registry office and on registration, the obligation under the lien becomes a charge on the property. Initiation of sale proceedings prohibited (4) The director shall not initiate sale proceedings in respect of any real property against which the director has registered a lien under subsection (3). Proceeds of sale (5) If a lien is perfected by registration under subsection (2) or is registered against real property under subsection (3) and the related real or personal property is sold, the director shall ensure that the funds he or she receives as a result of the sale are used to pay the fine. Discharge of lien (6) Within 10 days after the director has knowledge of the payment in full of the fine, the director shall, (a) discharge the registration of any financing statement registered under clause (2) (c); and (b) register a discharge of a charge created on registration of a lien under subsection (3). PART VI GENERAL Confidentiality 70 (1) A person who obtains information in the course of exercising a power or carrying out a duty related to the administration of this Act or the regulations shall preserve secrecy with respect to the information and shall not communicate the information to any person except, (a) as is required in connection with a proceeding under this Act or in connection with the administration of this Act or the regulations; (b) to a ministry, department or agency of a government engaged in the administration of legislation similar to this Act or legislation that protects consumers or to any other entity to which the administration of legislation similar to this Act or legislation that protects consumers has been assigned; (c) as authorized under the Regulatory Modernization Act, 2007; (d) to a prescribed entity or organization, if the purpose of the communication is consumer protection; (e) to a law enforcement agency; (f) to the counsel of the person communicating the information; or (g) with the consent of the person to whom the information relates. Testimony (2) Except in a proceeding under this Act, no person shall be required to give testimony in a civil proceeding with regard to information obtained in the course of exercising a power or carrying out a duty related to the administration of this Act or the regulations. Service 71 (1) Any notice, order or request is sufficiently given or served if it is, (a) delivered personally; (b) sent by registered mail; or (c) sent by another manner if the sender can prove receipt of the notice, order or request. Deemed service (2) If service is made by registered mail, the service shall be deemed to be made on the third day after the day of mailing unless the person on whom service is being made establishes that the person did not, acting in good faith, through absence, accident, illness or other cause beyond the person’s control, receive the notice, order or request until a later date. Exception (3) Despite subsections (1) and (2), the Tribunal may order any other method of service it considers appropriate in the circumstances. Fees 72 (1) The Minister may, by order, establish fees that are payable under this Act in respect of a licence, a renewal of a licence, late filings and other administrative matters. Exception (2) Subsection (1) does not apply if there is an administrative authority. Legislation Act, 2006, Part III (3) An order made under this section is not a regulation for the purposes of Part III (Regulations) of the Legislation Act, 2006. Certificate as evidence 73 (1) For all purposes in any proceeding, a statement purporting to be certified by the director is, without proof of the office or signature of the director, admissible in evidence as proof, in the absence of evidence to the contrary, of the facts stated in it in relation to, (a) the licensing or non-licensing of any person; (b) the filing or non-filing of any document or material required or permitted to be filed with the registrar; (c) the time when the facts upon which the proceedings are based first came to the knowledge of the director; or (d) any other matter pertaining to licensing or non-licensing of persons or to filing or non-filing of information. Proof of document (2) Any document made under this Act that purports to be signed by the director or a certified copy of the document is admissible in evidence in any proceeding as proof, in the absence of evidence to the contrary, that the document is signed by the director without proof of the office or signature of the director. Information concerning licensees 74 (1) As required by regulation, the registrar shall make available to the public the names of licensees and other information, as prescribed, in respect of licensees. Same (2) The names of licensees shall be made available in the prescribed form and manner and with the information that is prescribed. Minister’s regulations, codes, etc. 75 (1) The Minister may make regulations, (a) governing requirements of education, experience and examinations for applicants for a licence, applicants for a renewal of licence and licensees, including, (i) requiring applicants for a licence, applicants for a renewal of licence and licensees to meet educational requirements that the board of the administrative authority, the Minister, the director or the registrar has specified or to complete a program of studies or one or more courses that the board of the administrative authority, the Minister, the director or the registrar has designated, (ii) authorizing the board of the administrative authority, the Minister, the director or the registrar to designate organizations that are authorized to provide the programs and courses designated under subclause (i), and (iii) requiring that all educational requirements specified under subclause (i) and the list of all programs and courses designated under that subclause be made available to the public; (b) governing the requirements that a home inspector must comply with in performing a home inspection, including, (i) prescribing the features and components that are to be inspected in the dwelling or residential property being inspected and the manner in which they are to be inspected, (ii) specifying work that licensed home inspectors are required to do as part of performing a home inspection, and (iii) adopting by reference, in whole or in part, with such changes as the Minister considers necessary or advisable, any code or standard that governs any matter related to the inspection and requiring compliance with any code or standard that is so adopted; (c) governing the insurance that licensees must have, including, (i) prescribing the types of insurance they must have, (ii) prescribing the minimum amounts for which they must be insured under each type of insurance, and (iii) governing group insurance for licensees, including, (A) authorizing the board of the administrative authority or, if there is no designated administrative authority, the Minister to arrange for and administer group insurance on behalf of licensees and to act as a named insured, and (B) requiring licensees to participate in group insurance; (d) establishing a code of ethics for the purposes of section 58; (e) governing the jurisdiction and procedures of any committee established under this Act; (f) respecting any matter for which the power to make regulations is delegated by the Lieutenant Governor in Council to the Minister under clause 76 (1) (w). Code of ethics (2) A regulation under clause (1) (f) may be made as part of a code of ethics established under clause (1) (d). Conflict (3) If there is a conflict between a regulation made under this section and a regulation made by the Lieutenant Governor in Council under section 76, the latter prevails. Lieutenant Governor in Council regulations 76 (1) The Lieutenant Governor in Council may make regulations, (a) defining, for the purposes of this Act and the regulations, any word or expression that is used in this Act but not defined in this Act; (b) specifying any matter or thing that this Act describes as being prescribed or done in accordance with the regulations, other than a matter or thing that this Act describes as being prescribed by the Minister; (c) exempting any person or class of persons or class of activities from any provision of this Act or the regulations and attaching conditions to an exemption; (d) specifying requirements that a person described in section 2 must meet in order to be exempt from the application of this Act; (e) specifying provisions of this Act and the regulations to which a person described in section 2 is subject in the circumstances specified in the regulations; (f) respecting applications for a licence or a renewal of licence; (g) requiring an applicant for a licence or a renewal of a licence to provide information to the registrar concerning persons other than the applicant in order to assist the registrar in determining whether the persons are or may be interested persons; (h) specifying information that licensees must provide to the registrar and requiring that specified information be verified by affidavit; (i) requiring the registrar to make available to the public the names of licensees and prescribing the form and manner in which the registrar must make the names available and specifying other information in respect of licensees that the registrar must make available to the public; (j) subject to clause 75 (1) (b), specifying the responsibilities of home inspection providers or home inspectors; (k) prescribing matters that home inspectors must disclose to the home inspection providers that employ them and to home inspection providers that are prospective employers, and the circumstances under which such disclosures are required; (l) subject to clause 75 (1) (b), governing the activities of licensees, including, (i) specifying terms that licensed home inspection providers and licensed home inspectors acting under clause 37 (2) (b) are required to include in contracts for a home inspection that they enter into with clients, (ii) specifying matters that they must disclose and when they must disclose them in the course of performing a home inspection or a contract for a home inspection, including the conditions under which disclosure is required and matters related to any holdings in, (A) home inspection providers, other than the home inspection provider by which they are employed, in the case of home inspectors, or (B) other home inspection providers, in the case of home inspection providers, and (iii) specifying statements that licensees must provide in respect of performing a home inspection or a contract for a home inspection, the content of the statements, the manner of providing them, the circumstances under which a statement is not required and the consequences of failing to provide statements; (m) requiring licensees to provide, on request and in the prescribed circumstances, proof of licence and specifying the nature of the proof and the manner in which they must provide it; (n) requiring licensees to maintain business premises that comply with the prescribed rules; (o) respecting financial security requirements for licensees, including requiring them to be bonded or insured or have collateral security, and prescribing the forfeiture of bonds, the disposition of proceeds and other terms related to the financial security requirements; (p) governing the documents and records that licensees must keep, including the manner and location in which licensees must keep them and the time periods for which they must keep them and authorizing the registrar to specify the location at which licensees must keep them; (q) specifying procedures and other matters related to complaints under section 57; (r) governing the composition of the discipline committee and the appeals committee and, subject to subsection 58 (3), governing matters relating to the appointment of the members of those committees; (s) respecting inspections and investigations under this Act; (t) requiring that any information required under this Act be in a form approved by the director, the registrar or the Minister, as specified in the regulation; (u) specifying rules relating to addresses for service under this Act; (v) authorizing the director or the board of the administrative authority to conduct quality assurance programs in relation to the administration of this Act or the regulations and to use information collected under this Act for the purposes of those programs; (w) delegating to the Minister any power to make a regulation under this section; (x) providing for any transitional matter necessary for the effective implementation of this Act or the regulations, including, (i) authorizing persons who are not licensees but who enter into a contract for a home inspection with a client before section 37 comes into force to continue to perform the contract, subject to the requirements set out in the regulations, and (ii) governing the application of prescribed provisions of this Act and the regulations to licensees and other prescribed persons. Residual authority to act (2) Despite any delegation to the Minister under clause (1) (w) and without having to revoke the delegation, the Lieutenant Governor in Council continues to have authority to make regulations in respect of the power that is the subject of the delegation. Making regulation not revocation (3) If the Lieutenant Governor in Council makes a regulation to which subsection (2) applies, the regulation does not have the effect of revoking a delegation under this section unless the regulation so specifies. Minister’s regulations preserved (4) The Lieutenant Governor in Council may, by regulation, revoke a delegation to the Minister under clause (1) (w), but the revocation of a delegation does not result in the revocation of any regulation the Minister made under the delegated power before the revocation of the delegation. Note: Section 77 comes into force on the day that section 80 of this Act comes into force. (See: 2017, c. 5, Sched. 1, s. 82 (2)) Ontario Association of Home Inspectors continued 77 (1) The Ontario Association of Home Inspectors constituted as a corporation without share capital by the Ontario Association of Home Inspectors Act, 1994, being chapter Pr65, as it read immediately before its repeal, is continued as a corporation to which Part III of the Corporations Act applies. Objects continued (2) The objects of the corporation are the objects set out in section 3 of the Ontario Association of Home Inspectors Act, 1994, being chapter Pr65, as that Act read immediately before its repeal. Part VII (OMITTED) 78 Omitted (provides for amendments to this Act). Part VIII (OMITTED) 79-81 Omitted (amends, repeals or revokes other legislation). Part IX (OMITTED) 82 Omitted (provides for coming into force of provisions of this Act). 83 Omitted (enacts short title of this Act). ______________