Thornhill Contractors Fined $25,000 and Ordered to Pay Restitution

May 16, 2011

NEWS

On May 13, 2011, Gil Lalkin and Eli Amir of Thornhill, operating as Horizon Contracting, were convicted on three counts under Ontario’s Consumer Protection Act, 2002 and fined a total of $25,000.  Each defendant was fined $3,500 for failing to refund payments for work not done; $1,500 for improper contract; and $7,500 for engaging in an unfair practice.

In September 2009, a North York homeowner signed an agreement with Horizon Contracting for exterior renovations to her house. The total cost of the work to be done was $7,200 and the homeowner made payments of $5,800. However, the work was never completed. Despite writing to both defendants and requesting a refund, no money was returned. 

In addition to the fines, Lalkin and Amir each face a two-year probation order and each must pay the homeowner $1,800 in restitution within six months. Neither is to enter into any consumer agreement unless the agreement is in compliance with the Consumer Protection Act, 2002.

The court also imposed a 25-per-cent surcharge on the $25,000 fine 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

• Visit www.ontario.ca/consumerservices for tips and advice on how to be a smart consumer.