PHPIC® Advisory Council

For a decade and a half, Jim Robar managed technical research and the development of the technical information and training of Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation.  In this capacity, he directed CMHC's efforts to see the private home inspection industry establish a national organization with which the housing sector could interact, and develop national occupational standards, a code of ethics and a national certification.  Prior to CMHC, Jim held management and executive positions at the National Research Council of Canada and in the Canadian technology industry.  He has contributed to the work of a variety of national housing organizations, and locally as Board Chair of an Ottawa community hospital.  He holds a B.Sc. from Dalhousie University and a Ph.D. in Physics from the University of Saskatchewan. Retired from CMHC as Director of Technical Research, he lives in Ottawa. 

• Over 20 years experience in construction, renovations and the trades
• Qualified facilitator of Ontario Building Code and Ontario Association of Home Inspectors courses
• Over 15 years of retail experience, of which 3 were as a Department Supervisor with Home Depot and 3 at the ASM level
• Earned designation of Registered Home Inspector in Ontario (OAHI) and Certified Home Inspector in North America (ASHI)
• Performed approximately 500 home inspections for purchaser per year
• Served as Treasurer of the Canadian Association of Home Inspectors for 2 years
• Served as Secretary of the Ontario Association of Home Inspectors for 3 years
• Served on the Education Committee of the American Society of Home Inspectors for 3 years
• Co-designed the Home Inspectors Course at Humber College and wrote the curriculum for Ethics and Risk Management for the same course.
• Facilitated the Defect Recognition Course for the OAHI and the Building Code Courses for the Ministry of Housing
• Taught the Home Inspectors Course at Durham College for three years
• Owner-Operator. Lueck Carpentry 1972 - 1993
• Registered Home Inspector J. M. Lueck Building Consultants Inc. 1993 2001

Kim started her career at CMHC and then spent 26 years as a Mortgage Lender with Ontario's largest Credit Union. For the past 10 years, she has been Registrar of "The Home Inspectors Institute" and Manager of one of Ontario's most respected home inspection companies. She was one of the original founders and former Vice President of "Canadians for Properly Built Homes", a citizens advocacy group dedicated to new residential housing issues across Canada. Kim brings to PHPIC's Advisory Council, many years of home inspection management and training expertise and is well informed on consumer concerns with respect to new residential housing.

Garnett Hamilton operated Hamcrest Inspections for 5 years.  After completing courses at the Home Inspectors Institute, Algonquin College, George Brown College and the Ontario Ministry of Housing, he achieved both RHI and National Certificate Holder designations.  Garnett was a member of the PHPIC® founding committee and continues to volunteer time to help the organization.

I have enjoyed an employment career spanning in excess of 35 years, with the common thread being an ongoing association with the land development and homebuilding industries. My employment responsibilities have included a broad spectrum of municipal, consulting and private sector roles.

Throughout my career, I have been an active participant in the land development and home-building industries, including various responsibilities for the Canadian Home Builder's Association, the Ontario Home Builder's Association, the Greater Ottawa Home Builder's Association and the Tarion Warranty Corporation.  I remain a member of the current Board of Directors of all but the Canadian Home Builder's Association.

I am particularly interested in the planning, engineering, production and customer service functions and I founded, and continue to Chair, the Greater Ottawa Home Builder's Association Customer Service Committee.

• A Master's Degree in Engineering (Civil) and a Master's Degree in Business Administration.
• July 1998 through January 2009 - Vice President, Minto Communities Inc., a large volume production homebuilder headquartered in Ottawa.
• September 1994 through August 1998 - Co-owner and principal of two consulting firms:  MAXGROUP Associates (planning and engineering) and Delphi Associates (management consulting and information technology).
• January 1988 through August 1994 - Regional Manager, Eastern Ontario, UMA Engineering Ltd., a large national firm of consulting engineers and planners focused on the development industry.
• May 1973 through December 1987 - various engineering positions within the Regional Municipality of Ottawa-Carleton.

Born in Watford, England we immigrated to Canada when I was an infant. I have resided London since 1961 and I have just celebrated 25 years of service with the Better Business Bureau of Western Ontario where I sit as President and General Manager. A position I have held since January of 1984.

My community involvement has included, Past President - Western Fair Association, Past President - Rotary Club of London, Warden, Church of St. John the Evangelist, Member, Advisory Board, Salvation Army, and Member, Garrison Community Council.

I look forward to serving on the Advisory Council and wish PHPIC® all the best in their endeavors.

Gerry Weir
Past President OREA
(Ontario Real Estate Association)

Gerry Weir has spent the last 23 years in the Real Estate profession. The first 5 years as a Sales Representative and the past 18 years as the Broker of Record/Owner of Sutton Group-Preferred Realty Inc., Brokerage. Prior to Real Estate, he was an Accountant.

In 1999, he served as President of the London & St. Thomas Real Estate Board. For the past 8 years he has served as a Provincial Director of the Ontario Real Estate Association, 2008, as President of the Ontario Real Estate Association and currently is the immediate Past President.

Laura is a current Director of CREA (Canadian Real Estate Association) and Past President of OREA (Ontario Real Estate Association), past Chair of the Ontario REALTORS®  Care Foundation and currently a director on the MPAC and holds Membership in the Huron Perth Real Estate Board. Laura has served the home inspection profession as a founding member of the NCC (National Certification Council) and is committed to helping PHPIC® raise the bar for the home inspection profession in Ontario. The Board of Directors is honored to have Laura as a Special Advisor as we move to license our profession.