Windsor man convicted of illegal electrical work promoted through online classified ads

MISSISSAUGA, ON, July 12, 2016 /CNW/ - Roberto Spada was sentenced in a Windsor, Ontario court last week on 16 charges that include doing unsafe electrical work and advertising to do electrical work without an electrical contractor's licence.  Spada was placed on 2 years probation, is required to perform 75 hours of community service, and pay $27,085 in restitution to his victims and fines of $500.  

In 2013 the Electrical Safety Authority (ESA) received information that Spada, who is not licensed to conduct electrical work for hire in Ontario, was doing electrical work at multiple locations and was advertising his electrical services on the online classified site Kijiji.

After an investigation, ESA charged Spada with multiple counts each of:

• leaving a hazardous electrical condition (2 counts);
• not having an electrical contractor's licence (6 counts);
• proposing to carry out services of an electrical contractor without the necessary electrical contracting licence (2 counts); and
• failure to apply for an electrical inspection (6 counts).

Spada pleaded guilty to all charges.

"Just because someone runs an ad online saying they can do electrical work does not mean they legally can," said Normand Breton, ESA's Registrar and Director of Contractor Licensing. "Regardless of where you find someone offering electrical work, you must always verify that they are actually licensed as an electrical contractor in Ontario.  That's easy to do by checking ESA's online directory of Licensed Electrical Contractors at esasafe.com."

"Not only did Mr. Spada not have the required contractor's licence, he also left unsafe situations behind," added Breton.

In Ontario, only Licensed Electrical Contractors (LECs) are legally allowed to conduct electrical work for hire. When hiring someone to do work, homeowners and businesses are reminded to check to ensure the contractor holds all required qualifications and licenses – including an ECRA/ESA licence for electrical work – and secures all appropriate permits and inspections. Homeowners and businesses should request a copy of the ESA certificate of inspection from the contractor once the work and inspection is complete. This document is important for resale and insurance purposes, as well as peace of mind.

About the Electrical Safety Authority
The Electrical Safety Authority's (ESA's) 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 https://twitter.com/homeandsafety and on Facebook at www.facebook.com/ElectricalSafetyAuthority.

SOURCE Electrical Safety Authority

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