Repeat Offender Convicted and Fined for Doing Electrical Work without Licence

Electrical Safety Authority (ESA) reminds Ontarians to verify credentials when hiring someone to do electrical work

MISSISSAUGA, ON, Sept. 19, 2013 /CNW/ - On September 17, 2013 - an unlicensed electrical contractor - operating as Amascott Electric was convicted in a Burlington, Ontario court on charges related to performing electrical work illegally.

John Marynowycz of Burlington, Ontario was found guilty on one count of performing electrical work without an electrical contractor's licence and one count of failing to apply for an application for inspection. The total fine was $2,500 for the violations plus a $610 victim impact surcharge. A victim impact surcharge is an additional monetary penalty that is used to provide programs, services and assistance to victims within the provincial jurisdiction. Under Ontario Regulation 570/05, Licensing of Electrical Contractors and Master Electricians, only Licensed Electrical Contractors are permitted to contract to perform electrical work in Ontario.

Marynowycz was sub-contracted by a general contractor to provide electrical contracting services for a residential renovation including the kitchen and basement. The homeowner then tried to sell the property upon completion of the renovation only to discover that the electrical work had not been inspected by ESA. Marynowycz did not hold a valid electrical contractor licence and was not legally allowed to perform the electrical work. This is the second conviction in two years for Marynowycz who was convicted in December 2012 for working without an electrical contractor's licence.

"Unfortunately, there are individuals who present themselves as being able to do electrical work when they don't hold the appropriate licence and they don't follow the rules and regulations. If you hire them, you may end up with unsafe electrical wiring, or may need to arrange to have a licenced electrical contractor make repairs to their work," said Normand Breton, ESA's General Manager, Harm Mitigation, who oversees ESA's electrical contractor licensing system.

"We remind anyone considering hiring someone to do electrical work to follow 'the three Cs': check to ensure the contractor holds a valid electrical contractor licence (you can search the database at www.esasafe.com); confirm that they are arranging the appropriate inspections from ESA; and call ESA at 1-877-ESA-SAFE (1-877-372-7233) if you suspect someone is misrepresenting themselves."

ESA reminds consumers of the requirement to ensure that anyone you hire to perform electrical work has a valid ECRA/ESA Electrical Contractor Licence. This will ensure that the Electrical Contractor you have hired:

• is fully insured
• uses qualified electricians to perform the electrical work you require
• will arrange for permits with the ESA
• can deliver an ESA Certificate of Inspection
• can provide references
• will prepare a written cost estimate of the work

About the Electrical Safety Authority (ESA)

The Electrical Safety Authority (ESA) is an administrative authority acting on behalf of the Government of Ontario with specific responsibilities under the Electricity Act and the Safety and Consumer Statutes Administration Act.  As part of its mandate, ESA is responsible for administering regulation in four key areas: the Ontario Electrical Safety Code; licensing of Electrical Contractors and Master Electricians; electrical distribution safety; and electrical product safety.

SOURCE: Electrical Safety Authority

Kara Fraser
Electrical Safety Authority
905-712-5387 or [email protected]
www.esasafe.com