Orin Landscaping Inc. Pleads Guilty for Striking Gas Pipeline in Toronto
Second Guilty Plea This Year for Pipeline Strikes in Ontario
Toronto, ON, August 20, 2025 — Vaughan-based Orin Landscaping Inc. (Orin Landscaping) has pleaded guilty to striking and damaging a natural gas pipeline in Toronto and has been fined $30,000 and a 25% victim surcharge by the Ontario Court of Justice. The company was found guilty of an offence under Ontario Regulation 210/01 of the Technical Standards and Safety Act, 2000.
In December 2024, Orin Landscaping was using a mechanical excavator for a drainage installation project at Bathurst Street in downtown Toronto when it struck and damaged a 4-inch plastic gas main pipeline that was part of the Enbridge gas supply system. No injuries were reported in this incident.
By law, contractors must obtain locates before digging to avoid damaging pipelines and other underground infrastructure. Even with the legally required locates, Orin Landscape violated safety code requirements by using a mechanical excavator within one metre of the gas line. Only vacuum excavation equipment or hand tools is permitted within this distance, as specified by the safety code provision.
“Enforcement is one of our key tools to protect public safety as Ontario’s safety regulator. This marks the second guilty plea for gas pipeline strikes so far this year,” said Owen Kennedy, TSSA’s Director of Fuels. “Contractors must take every necessary precaution when digging near pipelines. Striking underground infrastructure doesn’t just disrupt the affected neighbourhoods; it can cause gas leaks and many other serious consequences. Follow rules and dig safe, that’s the right thing to do for every business involved in excavation,” added Mr. Kennedy.
In March 2025, another construction company was fined for damaging multiple gas lines in and around Ottawa, which caused gas outages for six homes and a retail mall. Pipeline strikes account for the vast majority of fuels incidents in Ontario, making up 70% of all reported fuels incidents in fiscal year 2024, according to TSSA’s latest Public Safety Report. Failing to follow safety requirements when digging can lead to serious risks, including gas leaks, fires, explosions, property damage, injuries, or fatalities. Additionally, repairs often require shutting off the gas supply, leaving nearby homes and businesses without heat, hot water, or cooking fuel.
Contractors must follow the safety code when digging. The requirements are set out in Canadian Standards Association’s Damage Prevention for the Protection of Underground Infrastructure safety code, CSA Z247-15.
Before any digging project, homeowners and contractors must contact Ontario One Call to locate underground infrastructure such as gas, hydro, cable, and phone lines. This is an important step to help reduce the risk of damaging pipelines and other buried services.
If a gas line is damaged or a leak is suspected, it must be reported immediately to the Ministry of the Environment’s Spills Action Centre at 1-800-268-6060 or TSSA at 1-877-682-8772.
About TSSA
The Technical Standards and Safety Authority (TSSA) is one of Ontario’s public safety regulators mandated by the Government of Ontario to enforce provincial safety regulations and enhance public safety. Throughout Ontario, TSSA regulates the safety of amusement devices, boilers and pressure vessels, elevating devices, fuels, operating engineers, and ski lifts. Its range of safety services include public education and consumer information, certification, licensing and registration, engineering design review, inspections, investigations, safety management consultation, compliance support and enforcement and prosecution activities. The organization’s vision is to be a valued advocate and recognized authority in public safety.
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For more information, please contact:
Alexandra Campbell Vice President, Communications, Stakeholder Engagement and Customer Service
Technical Standards and Safety Authority
Telephone: 416-734-6227
Email: media@tssa.org
As required by the Oil and Gas Pipeline Systems Code Adoption Document, pipeline operators are required to seek TSSA approval for any change in service fluid, including blending hydrogen into pipeline systems:
“Prior to a change in service fluid, including non-sour service to sour service, or gas to hydrogen or hydrogen blend service, the operating company shall conduct an engineering assessment to determine whether the pipeline systems would be suitable for the new service fluid. The assessment shall include consideration of the design, material, construction, operating, and maintenance history of the pipeline system and shall be submitted to the Director for approval.”
There are two ways to seek the required approval for introducing hydrogen into a pipeline system:
Option 1: Individual Engineering Assessment
Submit an Application for a Consultation, along with an engineering assessment signed by an Ontario-licensed professional engineer, demonstrating the safe operation of the pipeline system for each introduction of hydrogen blending.
Or
Option 2: Generic Engineering Assessment
Step 1: Submit an Application for a Consultation, along with a generic engineering assessment signed by an Ontario-licensed professional engineer, demonstrating the safe operation of the pipeline system for introducing various hydrogen blends. Considerations include, but are not limited to, conditions such as:
- The age of the pipeline
- Impacted materials
- Operating pressures
- Welds and transitions
- Maintenance programs
- Integrity programs
- Percentage of the hydrogen blend, etc.
Step 2: Submit individual applications for introducing specific hydrogen blends in the pipeline system to TSSA. TSSA will approve the individual applications for specific hydrogen blends as an administrative process if they are compatible with the requirements under the generic assessment. These individual submissions shall reference the following:
- The generic assessment
- Explanations of how the application is compatible with the generic assessment
- The location at which hydrogen blending is introduced
- Signed off by an Ontario-licensed professional engineer
The approval of submissions listed above will be billed at the hourly rate specified under the Engineering Services section of TSSA’s Natural Gas & Hydrogen Fee Schedule.
Changes in class location will apply to existing oil pipelines, per the Oil and Gas Pipeline Systems Code Adoption Document.
A pipeline’s class location can change due to population growth and development in a pipeline’s surrounding area. Previously, existing oil pipeline systems were exempted from the requirement to address changes in class location.
Operators of existing oil pipeline systems can submit applications to address changes in class location through one of the following ways:
- Apply for a variance to provide time to upgrade existing pipelines or reduce the operating pressure;
or
- Conduct and submit an engineering assessment to TSSA to determine the suitability of the continued use of the pipeline.
Ontario One Call (OOC), Enbridge Gas, TSSA, Utilities Kingston, and Kitchener Utilities are partnering to tell homeowners and plumbers that when clearing sewer pipes "Your Line Might Not Be Fine." Sewer Safety Week (SSW), running from September 16-20, 2024, aims to enhance public awareness and ensure the safety of communities across the country.
Jim Keech, President & CEO of Ontario One Call, expressed his pride in this collaborative effort: "I am proud to join forces with our safety partners in Ontario to raise awareness about this critical initiative. Sewer safety inspections are entirely free, simple to book, available 24/7 and treated as emergency calls. If a sewer is blocked, it is crucial to contact Ontario One Call before attempting to clear the sewer pipe."
Homeowners can safely address blockages within their homes, but when it comes to blockages outside the home, it is vital to consider the risk of a sewer cross bore. A sewer cross bore occurs when underground natural gas pipes are unintentionally installed through sewer pipes. While rare, the situation can remain undetected until the sewer becomes blocked, posing a significant safety risk if not handled correctly.
Call Before You Clear
If you suspect a sewer blockage outside your home:
- Contact OOC at 1-800-400-2255 before attempting to clear the blockage.
- OOC will notify the gas companies that will perform a free sewer safety inspection.
- If no cross bores are found, you or your plumber can safely proceed to clear the blockage. If a potential cross bore is detected, the utility company will address the issue at no cost to you.
"Enbridge Gas, along with other gas companies and partners, prioritizes safety above all else. Free sewer safety inspections are offered as a service to safeguard contractors, individuals, and communities. In the event of a sewer blockage, it is essential that everyone contacts Ontario One Call to avoid the risks. Always call before you clear", says Michael McGivery, Director of Distribution Protection, Enbridge Gas.
Utilities Kingston remains committed to public and infrastructure safety," says Rob Bowen, Supervisor of Inspection and Support at Utilities Kingston. "When you request a free sewer safety inspection, our certified technicians promptly address any sewer safety concerns within our service area. Remember to always contact Ontario One Call before clearing an outside sewer blockage to avoid the risk of damaging a gas line.
"Piercing a gas line presents a significant risk to public safety," says Kelly Hart, TSSA's Director of Fuels. "Before you dig, any excavation work must comply with Ontario's safety laws, including obtaining a valid pipeline locate before breaking ground and not using mechanical equipment while digging within one metre of a pipeline." Check out TSSA's website for more information above excavation safety.
About Ontario One Call
For media inquiries, please reach out to: Media@OntarioOneCall.ca
Ontario One Call is a public safety administrative authority that acts as a communications link between underground infrastructure owners, and individuals who are planning to dig in the province of Ontario. In 2012, the Ontario Underground Infrastructure Notification System Act was passed, which stipulates by law that anyone in the province of Ontario must contact Ontario One Call before they dig.
About Enbridge Gas
Enbridge Gas is Canada's largest natural gas storage, transmission and distribution company based in Ontario, with 2023 marking its 175th anniversary of serving customers. The distribution business provides safe, affordable, reliable energy to about 3.9 million customers and is innovating to contribute to a lower-carbon energy future. The storage and transmission business offers a variety of storage and transportation services to customers at the Dawn Hub, the largest integrated underground storage facility in Canada and one of the largest in North America. Enbridge Gas is owned by Enbridge (ENB), a Canadian-based leader in energy transportation and distribution. Visit enbridgegas.com to learn more.
About Utilities Kingston
For media inquiries, contact 613-546-4291, ext. 2300.
Utilities Kingston operates multiple utilities through a single service structure, allowing it to deliver cost savings and customer service excellence. The company is unique in Ontario, combining water, wastewater, natural gas, electricity and telecommunications services in one company. Trusted by customers to deliver reliable utilities for more than 150 years, employees are proud to provide personal, responsive services. You can count on us!
About Kitchener Utilities
Kitchener Utilities is a division of the City of Kitchener and is one of two gas utilities in Ontario that is municipally owned. For over 120 years, they have delivered water and gas services to the citizens of Kitchener.
About TSSA
Throughout Ontario, the Technical Standards and Safety Authority (TSSA) administers provincial safety regulations and enhances public safety. TSSA regulates the safety of amusement devices, boilers and pressure vessels, elevating devices, fuels, operating engineers, and ski lifts. Its range of safety services includes public education, authorization, engineering design review, inspections, investigations, compliance support, enforcement, and prosecution activities.
FOR MORE INFORMATION: Ian Simpson, Director of Communications and Marketing, media@OntarioOneCall.ca
The Technical Standards and Safety Authority (TSSA) has published the Oil & Gas Pipeline Systems Code Adoption Document (CAD) and the associated Consultation Summary after reviewing feedback from the consultation that closed on July 3, 2024. Please read the latest Oil & Gas Pipeline Systems CAD and the Consultation Summary on TSSA's website.
Consultation closes on July 3, 2024
The Technical Standards and Safety Authority (TSSA) invites you to provide feedback on its publication of the Code Adoption Document (CAD) for Oil & Gas Pipeline Systems.
The CAD adopts a series of national safety codes into regulation. There are three codes adopted in the CAD which was last updated and published in 2020.
The opportunity to provide feedback will be open until July 3, 2024. TSSA aims to publish the final CAD approximately one month after reviewing consultation feedback.
Please provide your feedback or visit the Consultations webpage for more information on the Oil & Gas Pipeline Systems CAD.
(Update: TSSA appreciates your inputs. The consultation is now closed.)