Real estate agents will need to know their clients a bit more with new regulations coming into effect this month.

New federal laws and regulations to prevent money laundering and terrorism-related financing requires real estate agents to collect and verify more personal information from buyers and sellers.

The law requires realtors to require proof of identity from all parties in any real estate transaction, even if one side of the deal is not represented by a real estate agent.

If a buyer or seller is a corporation, agents must now include corporate documentation, the names of all corporate directors and identification of any other third party involved in a deal.

Realtors will also be required to complete a report on the receipt of all funds received during a real estate transaction.

As part of the new rules, Realtors will be required to keep all identification and receipt of funds reports on file for at least five years and provide it to the Financial Transactions and Reports Analysis Centre of Canada, the federal agency enforcing these new rules.

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Whether they're improving the status of their communities, supporting access to justice for the poor, or tirelessly volunteering for charitable organizations, lawyers are always making a difference across BC. The Canadian Bar Association BC recognizes the many unsung heroes in the legal profession who are quietly improving communities. One of the awards was presented to Kelowna lawyer Theresa Arsenault, Pushor Mitchell LLP.

Ms. Arsenault receives the Community Service Award in recognition of the positive impact she has had on her community by actively promoting the increased provision of post secondary education. She was instrumental in the formation of the "Friends of Okanagan College", an organization that successfully campaigned to have the College Okanagan granted degree-giving status.

In his letter recommending Ms. Arsenault for this award former Mayor of Kelowna Walter Gray wrote, "Theresa and her team were successful in bringing to Kelowna a new era for post secondary education, and this was of benefit for not only Kelowna, but for all of the satellite campuses throughout the Okanagan Valley."

Theresa is one of the hardest working citizens I know. She always seems to be doing to something to help someone else. She is quite a lady.

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Join the volunteer team for the B.C. Summer Games in Kelowna taking place this year July 24-27.

With 19 sports and up to 3,700 competitors converging on our city’s venues, local volunteers are crucial to the smooth running of the games.

Events range from athletics and basketball to sailing and wrestling, and they need your help to set up equipment or report results — just a couple of the many opportunities available.

Help make these games a “personal best” experience for all the athletes.

The Summer Games also offers an opportunity for Kelowna to achieve our “personal best” in community spirit and hospitality.

To learn more or to volunteer, visit the B.C. Summer Games website at:

B.C. Summer Games

or call Cheryl Miller, coordinator of the Community Information and Volunteer Centre (CIVC), at (250) 763-8008, ext. 24.