Third Conviction in Tangled Web of Illegal Electrical Work in Eastern Ontario

Electrical Safety Authority (ESA) secures conviction including unlicensed worker, licensed electrical contractor and general contractor  

MISSISSAUGA, ON, June 24, 2014 /CNW/ - An unlicensed individual has been convicted and fined $18,750 for illegal electrical work done in several schools and two residential sites in the Ottawa, Kingston and Pembroke areas.  On June 9, 2014 Martin Laprade pleaded guilty to two counts of performing electrical work without an electrical contractor's licence and one count of leaving an unsafe condition.

This conviction follows two recent related convictions.  In April, Mario Giroux of Construction "G" was convicted and fined $58,750 for multiple violations related to hiring an unlicensed individual -- Mr. Laprade -- to do electrical work in several schools in Eastern Ontario.  Nick Medewar of NM Electric was convicted and fined $7,500 for multiple counts of illegally taking out electrical permits on Laprade's behalf.

"The conviction of Mr. Laprade is the final in a series of convictions of a group of individuals working in concert outside of the law.  Their actions resulted in public safety –specifically children – being at risk," said Normand Breton, ESA's General Manager, Harm Mitigation, who oversees ESA's electrical contractor licensing system.  "Through the course of our investigation, we discovered significant electrical hazards at one school that could have seriously injured or killed someone, or caused a fire."  

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.

ESA worked with the school board to ensure all electrical defects have been corrected by a Licensed Electrical Contractor in compliance with the Ontario Electrical Safety Code.

"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]