Burlington Contractor Fined $20,000 and Placed On Probation

May 3, 2011

NEWS

On May 2, 2011, Gerald (Gary) Devries of Burlington, Ontario, operating as G.P. Renovations, was convicted of engaging in an unfair practice under Ontario’s Consumer Protection Act, 2002 and fined a total of $20,000.

In February 2008, Devries provided a contract to a Burlington couple to renovate their master bedroom.  As part of the contract, Devries said he would obtain a building permit.  Later, he wrote a letter providing an update on the renovation to the couple’s financial institution listing work that he claimed had been completed up to that point. The first item listed was “Permits – 100% complete”.  In fact, Devries never obtained a permit.  

In addition to the fine, Devries faces a two-year probation order with several conditions including:

• Not to commit the same or any related or similar offence, or any offence under a statute of Canada or Ontario or any other province of Canada that is punishable by imprisonment.
• Pay $3,700 restitution at the rate of at least $500 per month beginning June 1, 2011 until paid in full. 
• Not to enter into any consumer agreement unless the agreement is in compliance with the Consumer Protection Act, 2002 and Regulation O. Reg. 17/05.

The court also imposed 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.

QUICK FACTS 

• Ontario’s Consumer Protection Act provides for fines of up to $250,000 for corporations and $50,000 for individuals convicted of offences. It also provides for jail terms of up to two years less a day for each offence. The act also empowers the court to order offenders to pay compensation or make restitution to victims.

LEARN MORE

• Be a smart consumer. We can help...Call the Ministry of Consumer Services Consumer Protection Branch, 1-800-889-9768 (toll free) or 416-326-8800.