Electrical Safety Authority Investigation Results in $32,500 Total Fines for Unlicensed Ottawa Electrician and his Company

July 18, 2024

On May 30, 2024, Serge Yasmine and his business, BMX Renovations Inc. pleaded guilty to several offences under the Electricity Act, including three counts of operating an electrical contracting business without a licence. Yasmine and BMX Renovations Inc. were ordered to pay a total fine of $32,500, plus a victim surcharge of $8,125 and were placed on a two-year probation.

An ESA investigation uncovered that Serge Yasmine and BMX Renovations Inc. were conducting unlicensed and unpermitted electrical work associated with inground pool installations at three different properties. They failed to properly ground electrical swimming pool equipment, leaving electrical hazards at all three homes. The homeowners in all instances contacted ESA to verify if permits had been taken out for the electrical work, confirming that no permits had been obtained for the electrical work completed.  This resulted in an inspection by ESA of all three sites and the charges against both Mr. Yasmine and BMX Renovations Inc.

“Unlicensed electrical work is risky, costly and just not smart,” says Emily Larose, Vice President of Regulatory and General Counsel, Electrical Safety Authority. “At ESA, we’re serious about electrical safety, and that means investigating those like BMX Renovations, who put the public at risk. By hiring a Licensed Electrical Contractor and making sure they get an ESA permit, we can help verify the work is done properly, safely and legally.”

By law, only Licensed Electrical Contractors (LECs) can be hired to do electrical work in homes in Ontario. LECs get permits from ESA to ensure the work complies with the Ontario Electrical Safety Code.

Electrical work is complicated. Here are three steps to make sure it’s done properly.

1. Verify or find a Licensed Electrical Contractor at HireLicensed.ca.  
2. Make sure they get a permit from ESA. Without this, ESA cannot ensure that work done in your home isn’t a hazard for you and your family.  
3. Ask for a Certificate of Acceptance once the work is complete; this is an important document for insurance and resale purposes.

If a contractor asks to file the ESA permit in your name, offers a discount for getting paid in cash or not providing a receipt, it may indicate that the contractor is unlicensed. Visit HireLicensed.ca to find an LEC near you. 

To prevent unlicensed electrical contractors from continuing to put Ontarians at risk, you can report unlicensed electrical contractors through ESA’s anonymous reporting tool at esasafe.com/reportacontractor.