Licensed Electrical Contractor and Owner Fined $122,000 in Permits-for-Sale Scheme

ESA conviction reinforces serious consequences for licence holders who circumvent electrical safety requirements and put Ontarians at risk.

MISSISSAUGA, ON, Oct. 21, 2026 /CNW/ -- The Electrical Safety Authority (ESA) is reinforcing its commitment to holding licence holders accountable following the conviction of Aya Electric Inc. and its owner and Designated Master Electrician, Razi Khan, for their involvement in a permits-for-sale scheme that enabled unlicensed electrical work at homes across Southern Ontario.

Aya Electric and Khan were fined a combined $122,000 under the Electricity Act, 1998 after an ESA investigation uncovered a paid arrangement in which the company obtained electrical permits for work performed by an unlicensed contractor.

ESA's investigation found that Aya Electric obtained permits for electrical work at six residential properties located in Clarington, Brantford, Milton and Markham. Khan collected payments for the permits while an unlicensed contractor carried out the work. The individual was not employed by Aya Electric, had no electrical qualifications, was not properly insured and worked without supervision from the company or Khan.

In September 2026, Aya Electric and Khan pleaded guilty to offences under the Electricity Act, 1998. The company was fined $92,000 and Khan was fined $30,000 and placed on probation. ESA is currently reviewing the matter and considering whether further administrative action is warranted.

In its sentencing reasons, the Ontario Court of Justice characterized Khan's conduct as deceptive and bordering on fraud, noting that he charged more than twice the cost of an ESA permit. The court considered Khan's licensing status an aggravating factor, recognizing that he understood ESA's permitting process and used that knowledge for financial gain. The court also emphasized the potentially catastrophic consequences of the offences, including fire and loss of life, and the importance of imposing penalties that deter others from circumventing electrical safety requirements.

"Using a licensed business to obtain permits for an unlicensed contractor undermines the protections Ontario's electrical safety requirements provide," said Emily Larose, Vice President of Regulatory and General Counsel, Electrical Safety Authority. "We help licence holders meet their responsibilities, but when those responsibilities are deliberately ignored, we will act. These fines send a strong message that profiting from arrangements that put public safety at risk carries serious consequences."

ESA investigators also observed Khan performing electrical work at a seventh home in Brantford alongside two unlicensed contractors. No electrical permit had been obtained from ESA for that job. As Aya Electric's Designated Master Electrician, Khan was responsible for planning and supervising electrical work carried out on the company's behalf.

"A Licensed Electrical Contractor's licence cannot be rented, loaned or used to legitimize unlicensed electrical work," said Sarah Kempel, Director of Licensing, Electrical Safety Authority. "Obtaining permits for work that is being performed by an unlicensed contractor represents a deliberate disregard for Ontario's licensing framework and the accountability that comes with holding a licence."

Help protect your community: report electrical safety concerns

By law, only Licensed Electrical Contractors (LECs) can be hired to perform electrical work in Ontario homes and businesses. If you suspect unlicensed electrical work or a Licensed Electrical Contractor failing to meet their responsibilities, report your concerns to ESA. Reports can be submitted anonymously, but the more details you provide, the better equipped ESA is to investigate and take action.

Report suspicious electrical activity: Visit ESAsafe.com/ReportAContractor.

Verify a Licensed Electrical Contractor: Before hiring someone to do electrical work in your home, ask for their seven-digit ECRA/ESA electrical contractor licence number and check it at FindaContractor.ESAsafe.com.

If hiring a general contractor, confirm they use an LEC for electrical work. An electrician's qualifications or a Master Electrician's licence alone are not sufficient.

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