4 minute read
Professional Relationships
Aharmonious relationship has developed between the Association of BC Land Surveyors (ABCLS) and the BC Notaries over the past many years. The Associations have common ground in dealing with the public relating to the development of land and the real estate profession.
As professionals it is our primary goal to ensure we provide the public with trusted advice for developing land and the purchase and sale of a house and strata property.
The founding of the Land Title and Survey Authority (LTSA) in 2005 introduced a positive step forward in all matters relating to property ownership in BC. The structure of the LTSA included a Board of Directors along with the LTSA Advisory Committee.
The ABCLS provides recommendations for two people to be appointed to the LTSA Board of Directors and appoints a person to sit on the LTSA Advisory Committee. The BC Notaries Association also has an appointment to the LTSA Advisory Committee. Those positions at the LTSA provide an excellent opportunity for the professional bodies to provide input and to work closely together on all items relating to the LTSA.
Through the relationship with the LTSA, the professions have been asked to work closely with the CEO and staff to implement change and provide guidance on future projects, all of which will benefit the professions in time. It was great to participate in those projects sharing common interests and providing useful direction.
Other areas where that important relationship will benefit professionals is through professional development. I know that recently a land surveyor provided a valuable learning experience for BC Notaries on the role of a BC land surveyor. In the past I have conducted a number of seminars for other professionals. The seminars were all well-received and provided valuable learning experiences for professionals dealing with property ownership.
The participants included the British Columbia Real Estate Association (BCREA); the Appraisal Institute of Canada, BC Division; and local Real Estate Boards. The seminars I undertook were mostly dealing with water boundaries, a very complex subject. I also took part in a seminar with Notaries, lawyers, and title insurance folks about the use of title insurance, including the hazards of not including a survey.
The session I did with the Appraisal Institute about water boundaries became very lively when we started talking about the differences between title boundary and present natural boundary. A very significant difference exists in some areas of the province where water boundaries continuously move.
Those communication experiences not only increase knowledge, they develop relationships with other professionals. A follow-up from that session kept me in touch with a few of the participants for many years thereafter, discussing ongoing professional issues.
In BC, most property transfers are reasonably straightforward but there can be one transfer that is messy and complicated based on uncertain boundaries. It could be very useful to have a local land surveyor available to provide advice on the area in question and the complications that might be lurking in that particular area.
Chuck Salmon
Land surveyors are fully aware of those trouble spots in the areas in which they operate.
Participating in ongoing meetings, such as annual general meetings and gala events, provides an understanding of issues facing each profession. They also serve to develop good will and friendships with other professionals, fostering a working relationship to improve our dealings with our clients.
I attended many BC Notaries functions in the past, developing friendships with many Notaries. The functions provided an opportunity to better understand the role of the Notary and how land surveyors can assist Notaries.
In retirement now, I look back on my amazing career as a British Columbia land surveyor. The friendships and professional relationships are still very active. I like to keep in touch with the people but have moved on from actively being involved in the professional side.
I like to think that the younger generation is leading the profession in a positive direction. Professions change over time as philosophy and technology change.
It is great to see that both professions are flourishing and providing the people of BC with excellent service. s Chuck Salmon, BCLS, LM, was Surveyor General of British Columbia from 1996 to 2002 and Secretary of the ABCLS from 2002 to 2016, elected to Life Membership (LM) in 2012.
I like to think that the younger generation is leading the profession in a positive direction. Mercedes Wong CRE CCIM FRI RIMercedes Wong CRE CCIM FRI RI MERCEDES WONG PERSONAL REAL ESTATE CORPORATIONMERCEDES WONG PERSONAL REAL ESTATE CORPORATION VICE PRESIDENT OF INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENTVICE PRESIDENT OF INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT
PICPA VANCOUVER CANADA ASSOCIATION
PRESIDENT 2019-2021 CELL 604.808.2571 OFFICE 778.317.5113 AN INTERNATIONAL AFFILIATE OF PHILIPPINE INSTITUTE EMAIL mercedes@telus.net OF CERTIFIED PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS MANILA, PHILIPPINES CELL 604.808.2571WEBSITE mercedeswong.com OFFICE 778.317.5113 829 Cambie Street, EMAIL mercedes@telus.net Vancouver, British Columbia WEBSITE mercedeswong.com Canada, V6B 2P4
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