Director sentenced to 90 days in jail and his companies fined $280,000 for not complying with 113 orders to pay employees outstanding wages
The Ontario Court of Justice has sentenced Steven Blondin, a director of six Ontario companies, to 90 days in jail for violations of the Employment Standards Act after failing to pay employees.
Between March 2007 and October 2009, 61 employees from six companies operated by Blondin in and around Toronto filed claims with the Ontario Ministry of Labour for unpaid wages. An investigation by the ministry found that wages were owed to all 61 employees.
Between February 2008 and April 2010, an employment standards officer issued 113 orders to the six companies and Blondin to pay more than $125,000 in wages owed. None of the orders were paid.
Blondin and each company pleaded guilty to failing to comply with the ministry's orders.
In addition to the jail term and fines totalling $280,000, Blondin and his companies were ordered to pay the wages owing to the employees along with a 25 per cent victim fine surcharge, as required by the Provincial Offences Act.
The six companies owned and operated by Blondin include Steven’s Inc. of Orangeville, Axcea International Inc. of Toronto, Automotive Containment Solutions Inc. of Concord, Automotive CSI Inc. of Richmond Hill, Automotive CSI — Alliston Inc., and Automotive CSI — Newmarket Inc.
