Unlicensed Electrical Contracting Company Convicted in Three Different Cities

The Electrical Safety Authority (ESA) is asking the public to contact them if they have hired Total Generator for any electrical work

MISSISSAUGA, ON, May 5, 2015 /CNW/ - An unlicensed contractor was convicted for the third time since January 2015 and received fines totaling $10,000 on charges relating to working without an electrical contractor's licence. Paul Mullen, who owns and operates Total Generator, pleaded guilty in a Toronto court on Apr. 13, 2015 to allowing an unlicensed individual to perform electrical work.

Mr. Mullen was previously convicted and fined this year in Owen Sound on January 7 and on April 7 in Barrie for multiple violations associated with not having an electrical contractor licence and failing to apply for an inspection. In a related case, Glen Martin was convicted and fined $2,625 for working without an electrical contractor licence and reconnecting power without authorization. Martin is also facing additional charges.

Through the course of the investigation, ESA discovered multiple sites where the two individuals had performed illegal electrical work. "We hope that the conviction of these two individuals will act as a deterrent to those who choose to work outside the system and put public safety at risk," said Normand Breton, ESA's Registrar and Director of Contractor Licensing. ESA has followed up on all sites to ensure inspections have taken place and that the installations are in compliance with the Ontario Electrical Safety Code.

All fines include a 25 per cent victim fine surcharge as required by the Provincial Offences Act. The surcharge is credited to a special provincial government fund to assist victims of crime.

Only Licensed Electrical Contractors are permitted to contract to perform electrical work in Ontario under Ontario Regulation 570/05, Licensing of Electrical Contractors and Master Electricians.

"Anyone – homeowners, businesses or institutions – considering hiring someone to do electrical work are reminded to follow 'the three Cs': check to ensure the contractor holds a valid electrical contractor licence (there is a searchable database at www.esasafe.com); confirm that they are arranging the appropriate permits and inspections from ESA; and call ESA at 1-877-ESA-SAFE (1-877-372-7233) if you suspect someone is misrepresenting themselves," added Breton.

Hiring a contractor with a valid ECRA/ESA Electrical Contractor Licence ensures that the company 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's (ESA) role is to enhance public electrical safety in Ontario. As an administrative authority acting on behalf of the Government of Ontario, ESA is responsible for administering specific regulations related to the Ontario Electrical Safety Code, the licensing of Electrical Contractors and Master Electricians, electricity distribution system safety, and electrical product safety. ESA works extensively with stakeholders throughout the province on education, training and promotion to foster electrical safety across the province. More information on the Electrical Safety Authority can be found at www.esasafe.com, through Twitter @HomeandSafety and on Facebook at www.facebook.com/ElectricalSafetyAuthority

SOURCE Electrical Safety Authority

Electrical Safety Authority Media Relations, 905-712-7819 or [email protected]