Court issues suspended sentence and one-year probation

In February 2014, a TSSA inspector received notice of a faulty furnace at a residence in Oakville, Ontario and upon further investigation discovered that the installation had been performed by an uncertified gas technician. Mr. Iqbal Asif of Pickering, Ontario was identified by the TSSA inspector, issued immediate cease and desist orders, and subsequently prosecuted.

Mr. Asif pleaded guilty in the Ontario Court of Justice in Burlington to installing a gas appliance without being the holder of a certificate for that purpose, violating the Technical Standards and Safety Act, 2000. The court gave Mr. Asif a suspended sentence and one year probation, prohibiting him from performing any gas work in the province unless otherwise licensed. “Potentially lethal risks can be created if a fuel-fired appliance is not properly installed,” said John Marshall, Director of TSSA’s Fuels Safety Program.

“Anyone installing, repairing or servicing fuel-fired appliances must possess a valid TSSA certification and heed all applicable safety standards.”

If in doubt of a technician’s certification, contact TSSA toll-free at 1-877-682-8772 to confirm whether a gas technician is properly certified.