The Real Estate Council of Ontario (RECO) announced eight key initiatives for 2026 to rebuild trust in the provincial regulator, along with new corporate leadership to oversee the ambitious goals.

“These initiatives represent significant and bold change, and it’s very clear that we need to prioritize meaningful and consistent engagement with our stakeholders, including the real estate services sector and consumers,” noted Jean Lépine, RECO’s administrator and acting CEO. “I have been impressed by the insights, ideas, and collaboration to date in some of my first sessions and look forward to continuing this work in the coming weeks and months.”

Eight major transformation initiatives for 2026

1. Culture renewal plan underpinned by a new performance management system.
2. Regulatory modernization plan.
3. Stakeholder engagement strategy reconnecting RECO to consumers and the professional sector on key topics like trust account oversight, annual financial filings, insurance program reforms, and education.
4. Digital and technology modernization roadmap and implementation plan.
5. Financial sustainability strategy based on cost recovery principles.
6. Renewed governance approach.
7. Public awareness campaign .
8. New strategic plan for 2027–2030

New organizational structure

To support this transformation, RECO will move forward with a renewed organizational structure that includes four main areas of accountability: strategy and corporate; regulatory modernization; people, culture and technology; and finance and risk.

RECO has recruited new executives to lead key functions. These executives, alongside Arshad Zaver, acting chief financial officer, will report directly to the administrator and acting CEO, effective January 19, 2026:

Emilee Escobar, Chief Strategy & Corporate Officer

Escobar has led governance and corporate strategy at the Condominium Authority of Ontario since 2018, most recently as Chief Corporate Officer. A certified Governance Professional (GPC.D) with experience in strategic planning and stakeholder engagement, she brings a collaborative approach that will strengthen good governance and advance consumer protection in support of the sector.

Samantha Pinto, Chief Regulatory Modernization Officer

With more than 20 years in the public sector, including 13 years at the Ministry of Public and Business Service Delivery and Procurement, Pinto most recently served as Chief Regulatory Officer at Ontario One Call, where she led the organization’s transformation into a modern regulator and drove regulatory innovation and compliance programs. Her experience will help RECO build a more agile, sector and consumer-focused regulatory framework.

To be announced soon: Chief People, Culture & Technology Officer

RECO’s goal is to deliver a modern and technology-driven RECO. This is an essential area of focus to support a robust culture of integrity where the RECO team can deliver by harnessing the potential of its people and technology.

“I am delighted to have recruited great people who want to do great things to unlock RECO’s potential,” added Lépine. “As an executive team, we will hold ourselves accountable for delivering on this ambitious action plan. Together, we are driving change, earning trust, and setting the foundation for a stronger, more modern, mandate-focused organization. We will lead with action, not words.”