Former Electrical Contractor Principal Arrested Following ESA Referral to Police

Arrest follows ESA licence revocation, $70,000 in previous fines and new electrical safety charges

MISSISSAUGA, ON, Oct. 5, 2026 /CNW/ -- Peel Regional Police recently arrested Rahyl Hassan, principal of former Licensed Electrical Contractor, Strak Holdings Inc., following an investigation in which the Electrical Safety Authority (ESA) cooperated with police.

ESA referred concerns about potential criminal activity to Peel Regional Police earlier this year after they arose during an ESA investigation. ESA continued to cooperate with police throughout the investigation.

The arrest follows a series of regulatory enforcement actions taken by ESA involving Hassan and Strak Holdings Inc.

In May 2025, Strak Holdings Inc. and Hassan were convicted in Caledon on four counts under Ontario's electrical safety laws and ordered to pay a combined $70,000 in fines. The convictions related to operating without a Designated Master Electrician and failing to file the required notification with ESA for electrical work.

ESA had previously revoked Strak Holdings Inc.'s electrical contractor licence in 2024 following multiple instances of non-compliance.

More recently, ESA laid additional charges under the Electricity Act, 1998 and its regulations against Rahyl Hassan, Strak Holdings Inc., Raytar Holdings Inc. and Saima Hassan following an ESA investigation into alleged electrical safety and licensing violations. Those charges have not been proven in court, and the proceedings remain before the courts.

"ESA is committed to helping individuals and businesses understand their responsibilities and comply with Ontario's electrical safety laws," said Emily Larose, Vice President, Regulatory and General Counsel at the Electrical Safety Authority. "But when parties are unwilling to work within the system, we will act. We have a range of enforcement tools available to protect Ontarians from electrical harm, including licensing action and prosecution. Where concerns about potential criminal activity arise, we can also refer those matters to police."

Peel Regional Police can provide further information regarding Hassan's arrest, its investigation and any criminal charges.

Protect yourself when hiring for electrical work

By law, in Ontario, only Licensed Electrical Contractors (LECs) can be hired to do electrical work in your home. LECs are trained, insured and file electrical permits with ESA to ensure their work complies with the Ontario Electrical Safety Code.

Here are red flags to look out for that could indicate your electrician is not licensed:

• The contractor asks you to file an ESA Notification of Work ("permit") in your name or says you don't need one.
• There's no ECRA/ESA licence number on their work vehicle, estimate or advertisements.
• They won't give you their licence number when you ask for it.
• They do more than just electrical work, such as drywall, flooring, plumbing, snow removal or other home improvement work.
• They offer a discount if you pay cash and/or won't provide a receipt.
• They say, "If anyone asks, tell them you did the work yourself."

To prevent unlicensed electrical contractors from continuing to put Ontarians at risk, you can report them through ESA's anonymous reporting tool at ESAsafe.com/ReportAContractor.

To find or verify a Licensed Electrical Contractor, visit FindaContractor.ESAsafe.com.

About the Electrical Safety Authority

The Electrical Safety Authority's (ESA's) role is to improve public electrical safety in Ontario. ESA is an administrative authority responsible for administering specific regulations under the Electricity Act, 1998 (Part VIII) 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 ESAsafe.com, through Facebook, X and on LinkedIn.

Media Enquiries

For further information:
Electrical Safety Authority
905-712-7819 or [email protected]

SOURCE Electrical Safety Authority