Toronto, ON, March 25, 2026 – The Ontario Court of Justice has found Mark Van Watteghem guilty of two offences under the Technical Standards and Safety Act, following his work on gas appliances without the required authorization from the Technical Standards and Safety Authority (TSSA).
In Ontario, only fuel contractors registered with TSSA and individuals holding valid gas technician certificate are legally permitted to work on gas appliances.
Between June and September 2023, Mr. Van Watteghem, operating as Van Watts Mechanical, removed a gas furnace and installed a replacement unit at a home in Windsor, Ontario. At the time, his business was not registered with TSSA as a fuels contractor, and he did not hold a valid gas technician certificate. While Mr. Van Watteghem was previously certified as a gas technician, his certification had expired in 2017 and has not been renewed.
“Working with fuel‑related equipment without proper TSSA registration and certification puts lives at risk. Those who cut corners will face legal consequences,” said Owen Kennedy, Director of the Fuel Safety Program at TSSA.
Mr. Van Watteghem has a history of fuel safety violations. In 2016, he was convicted of performing unsafe fuel work and fined $10,000 plus the victim surcharge. In 2019, he was fined $15,000 and the victim surcharge for unsafe fuel work and for operating as an unregistered fuels contractor.
Due to the repeated nature of Mr. Van Watteghem’s safety violations, the penalties in the current case – including a fine, jail time, or both – will be determined through further court proceedings.
“Never hire unregistered fuel contractors or uncertified gas technicians as their work isn’t audited or inspected, and they lack the authorization to do this work. TSSA is committed to enforcing fuel safety requirements and helping consumers understand how to hire legitimate fuel contractors,” added Mr. Kennedy.
TSSA reminds fuels contractors and technicians that proper registration and certification are mandatory when performing work involving fuel equipment. Members of the public are encouraged to verify contractor credentials before allowing work to proceed in their homes. Ontarians can confirm a contractor’s authorization status using TSSA’s fuels contractor lookup tool.
More resources about fraudulent fuels workers are available on TSSA’s website.
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 and Stakeholder Relations
Technical Standards and Safety Authority
Telephone: 416-734-2728
Email: media@tssa.org
The zipline involved was not authorized for public use
Toronto, ON, March 13, 2026 – Technical Standards and Safety Authority (TSSA) has laid charges against KVPM Realty Limited, the operator of Aerosports Trampoline Park in Scarborough, for safety offences identified following a child’s injury involving an unauthorized zipline.
The charges, laid under the Technical Standards and Safety Act, 2000, include operating an amusement device without authorization, providing false information to TSSA, and operating an amusement device in an unsafe manner. These charges have been filed with the Ontario Court of Justice and are pending further court proceedings.
In January 2026, TSSA responded to a report of an incident at Aerosports Trampoline Park, located at 1120 Birchmount Road in Scarborough, Ontario (hereafter “Aerosports Scarborough”). The report indicated that a child had fallen from a zipline at the facility and was transported to hospital for medical treatment.
Under the Technical Standards and Safety Act, 2000, operators are required to obtain permits from TSSA before amusement devices, including ziplines, can be put into service. TSSA’s records found no zipline authorized for operation at Aerosports Scarborough. The zipline was shut down by TSSA during the incident inspection.
“As Ontario’s public safety regulator, TSSA has the responsibility to oversee amusement devices under our safety mandate. We review their technical design, issue permits to operators, inspect these devices, and certify the mechanics who work on them, as part of our efforts to ensure public safety,” said Kelly Hart, Vice President of Operations, TSSA.
“Amusement device operators are responsible for securing a permit for each amusement device before public use. Devices operated without TSSA’s knowledge or authorization can pose a serious risk to the public, and we will pursue all necessary regulatory actions to uphold safety requirements,” Ms. Hart added.
Aerosports Scarborough was also charged for providing false information to a TSSA inspector. TSSA had previously inspected the facility in December 2025 in relation to the operation of two licensed go-kart tracks. During the inspection, a representative of the facility was alleged to have told the TSSA inspector that there were no ziplines on site.
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.
For more information, please contact:
Alexandra Campbell
Vice President, Communications and Stakeholder Relations
Technical Standards and Safety Authority
Telephone: 416-734-2728
Email: media@tssa.org
Toronto, ON, January 29, 2026 — Red Cap Propane has been fined $45,000, plus 25% victim surcharge, by the Ontario Court of Justice after being found guilty of a fuel safety violation under the Technical Standards and Safety Act, 2000.
In February 2024, an explosion occurred at a residence in Cambridge, Ontario, which was serviced by Red Cap Propane. The home has since been deemed uninhabitable and was recommended to be demolished.
TSSA’s investigation determined that the incident was caused by a faulty connection from the home’s propane tank to its furnace, which allowed significant amounts of propane to build up underground.
The homeowner had previously raised concerns about unusually high propane consumption even during summer, with the furnace being the only propane‑powered appliance on the property. In July 2021, Red Cap Propane conducted an inspection in response to the customer’s request and relocated the propane tank on the property. The company dispatched a subcontracted senior gas fitter in November 2022 to conduct a pressure test. The subcontractor, however, incorrectly determined that no leak was present. TSSA’s investigation found that issues with the connection between the tank and the gas pipeline contributed to the leak and the subsequent explosion.
TSSA also discovered that the gas regulator from the site had been removed by an employee of Red Cap Propane, contrary to the Technical Standards and Safety Act, 2000, which prohibits interference with a gas incident scene until TSSA releases it.
Owen Kennedy, TSSA’s Director of Fuel Safety Program, said, “Ontario families count on fuel contractors to meet regulatory requirements and keep them safe. When it comes to fuel safety, there can be no compromise. Equipment must be installed, inspected, and tested with care and professionalism, because even a single oversight can have serious consequences for life and property.
This case also reinforces a key legal requirement that all equipment involved in an incident is evidence and must not be removed until TSSA has released the site. Preserving the integrity of that evidence is essential, not only as a legal obligation, but also to ensure that our investigation can accurately determine the cause of incident, responsibilities of the parties involved, and prevent future incidents.”
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.
For more information, please contact:
Alexandra Campbell
Vice President, Communications and Stakeholder Relations
Technical Standards and Safety Authority
Telephone: 416-734-2728
Email: media@tssa.org
Toronto, ON, December 17, 2025 — World’s Finest Shows has pleaded guilty to two safety violations following a serious amusement ride incident at the Brigden Fairgrounds in 2023. The Ontario Court of Justice has imposed a total fine of $40,000, plus a 25% victim surcharge, for two offences under the Technical Standards and Safety Act, 2000.
Nanticoke-based World’s Finest Shows is licensed as an amusement device operator that operates amusement rides at fairs, festivals, and events across Ontario.
The incident involved an amusement ride called The Whale (also known as Dive Bomber). During its operation at the Brigden Fairgrounds, the ride’s centre mast failed, causing part of the rotating structure to drop and two cars to strike the ground. Seven children were injured in the incident, with one requiring medical treatment at the hospital.
An investigation by the Technical Standards and Safety Authority (TSSA) revealed a crack in the telescopic centre mast, which progressed to a failure of the centre mast while the ride was in motion. It was also found that the centre mast involved was not included in the routine inspection after the assembly of the amusement ride. Additionally, two adjacent cars had been left empty at the time of the incident that caused an unbalanced ride, contrary to the manufacturer’s specification that only one car can be left vacant.
“Once a ride is up and running, both its operation and maintenance are vital to ensuring safe use. Operating a ride according to the manufacturer’s requirements reinforces tested and verified safety requirements, and thorough maintenance checks can uncover mechanical issues that may put riders at risk, as we see in this case,” said Kelly Hart, TSSA’s Vice President of Operations.
“Amusement ride operators have the legal responsibility to uphold safety standards in all aspects of a ride’s use, including installation, maintenance, and operation. Any oversight in these areas can potentially lead to incidents and injuries,” added Ms. Hart. For more information on amusement device safety requirements, visit TSSA’s website.
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.
For more information, please contact:
Alexandra Campbell
Vice President, Communications and Stakeholder Relations
Technical Standards and Safety Authority
Telephone: 416-734-2728
Email: media@tssa.org
Toronto, ON, December 5, 2025 — Glen Robinson and Sons Plumbing and Heating (Glen Robinson & Sons) has been fined $10,000, plus a 25% victim surcharge, for safety violations related to a furnace installation under Ontario Regulation 212/01: Gaseous Fuels of the Technical Standards and Safety Act, 2000.
In 2021, Glen Robinson & Sons installed a furnace at a property in Metcalfe, Ontario, but failed to affix the required pressure test tag upon completion. Without this tag, the homeowner could not change propane suppliers. Despite requests, the company refused to return to install the tag.
Technical Standards and Safety Authority (TSSA) also found that Glen Robinson & Sons did not hold a valid TSSA contractor registration at the time of the furnace installation. In Ontario, all contractors working on fuel-burning equipment must be registered with TSSA and renew their registrations annually to continue operating legally. The company’s fuels contractor registration had expired for over 10 years and was only reinstated in October 2025.
“Contractors must ensure their TSSA registration is current before carrying out any work on fuel-burning equipment,” said Owen Kennedy, Director of Fuels Safety, TSSA. “In Ontario, only contractors with active registration are legally authorized to operate. This registration serves as an essential credential, validating that a business meets the qualifications and safety standards required to perform technical work on fuel equipment.”
TSSA’s licensees are responsible for renewing their licences or registrations with TSSA to operate legally in Ontario. Devices, facilities, contractors, and businesses regulated by TSSA that operate without a valid licence or registration may pose a risk to public safety. If a regulated party fails to renew or reinstate their authorization, TSSA will take regulatory actions, which may include shutting down equipment or pursuing court proceedings for offences.
TSSA’s Lapsed Authorization Policy outlines the scope of lapsed authorizations, licensee responsibilities, and the process for reinstatement. For more information, please visit: TSSA’s website.
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.
For more information, please contact:
Alexandra Campbell
Vice President, Communications and Stakeholder Relations
Technical Standards and Safety Authority
Telephone: 416-734-2728
Email: media@tssa.org
Toronto, ON, November 10, 2025 — Oasis Pool and Landscaping was found guilty of eight offences related to pipeline strikes under Ontario Regulation 210/01 (Oil and Gas Pipeline Systems) of the Technical Standards and Safety Act, 2000. The Ontario Court of Justice has imposed a fine of $80,000, plus a 25% victim surcharge.
The safety violations occurred in June and July 2024, when Oasis Pool and Landscaping damaged two gas pipelines in two separate incidents in North York, Ontario, causing a loss of gas service to over 50 households in the surrounding neighbourhoods.
An investigation by the Technical Standards and Safety Authority (TSSA) found that Oasis Pool and Landscaping failed to supervise its employee and did not follow safety procedures during excavation work. The company did not hand-dig within one metre of a gas pipeline as required and struck the line, in both incidents, with an excavator. Following each of the strikes, an employee of the contractor sealed the damaged gas line and continued working without reporting the incident—an unsafe and unlawful action that posed a serious risk to public safety.
In the July incident, the company conducted additional excavation without referencing the obtained locates, increasing the risk of a pipeline strike.
According to TSSA’s latest Public Safety Report, pipeline strikes account for over 60% of reported fuel-related incidents in fiscal year 2025. These incidents can result in gas leaks, fires, explosions, property damage, injuries, or fatalities. Repairs often require gas shut-offs, leaving nearby homes and businesses without service.
“This prosecution marks the third conviction for gas pipeline damage in Ontario this year,” said Owen Kennedy, Director of Fuels Safety at TSSA. “In this case, the company involved even failed to use the obtained locates in one of the incidents. Digging without knowing the location of buried utilities is irresponsible, as it significantly increases the risk of damaging gas pipelines and other underground infrastructure.”
Mr. Kennedy added, “TSSA reminds all contractors to follow the rules when carrying out work that may contact gas pipelines. Every contractor has a duty to ensure locates are completed before excavation begins and to dig safely in accordance with safety codes.”
Before starting any digging project, both homeowners and contractors must contact Ontario One Call to identify the location of underground utilities such as gas, hydro, cable, and telephone lines. Taking this step is critical to preventing damage to pipelines and other buried infrastructure.
To help protect underground utilities, contractors are also required to follow the safety standards as outlined in the Canadian Standards Association’s Damage Prevention for the Protection of Underground Infrastructure safety code (CSA Z247-15).
If a gas line is damaged or a leak is suspected, it must be reported immediately to 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.
For more information, please contact:
Alexandra Campbell
Vice President, Communications and Stakeholder Relations
Technical Standards and Safety Authority
Telephone: 416-734-2728
Email: media@tssa.org
Toronto, ON, October 24, 2025 — Berkim Construction Inc., a Toronto-based construction company, has been fined $7,000, plus a 25% victim surcharge, after pleading guilty to performing unsafe work in an elevator hoistway — an offence under the Technical Standards and Safety Act, 2000 (the “TSSA Act”).
During a regular maintenance inspection of an elevator at a church in Richmond Hill, Ontario, an elevator company mechanic observed a construction worker performing tasks inside the elevator hoistway under unsafe conditions. The top landing door was open, the interlock device had been removed, and the top of the elevator was covered with construction materials.
A subsequent investigation by the Technical Standards and Safety Authority (TSSA) revealed that the worker, employed by Berkim Construction Inc., had been using the elevating device to install a sixteen-foot galvanized metal cross on the exterior of the church. Berkim Construction proceeded with the work without the supervision of a certified elevator contractor, as required by Ontario Regulation 209/01 under the TSSA Act.
“By allowing an employee to work within the elevator hoistway without the required supervision of a certified mechanic, Berkim Construction Inc. exposed its worker to serious hazards,” said AJ Kadirgamar, Director of TSSA’s Elevating Devices Safety Program. “Compliance with elevator safety regulations is not optional; it’s a necessary step to protect both the workers involved with these devices and the public who use them.”
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.
For more information, please contact:
Alexandra Campbell
Vice President, Communications and Stakeholder Relations
Technical Standards and Safety Authority
Telephone: 416-734-6227
Email: media@tssa.org
Toronto, ON, October 6, 2025 — The Ontario Court of Justice has fined Jegatheeswaran Velautham $20,000, plus a 25% victim surcharge, for damaging a natural gas line and failing to report the strike. Mr. Velautham pleaded guilty to violating the Gaseous Fuels Regulation under the Technical Standards and Safety Act, 2000.
The incident occurred on one evening in August 2023, as Mr. Velautham was reversing a transport truck and trailer into a loading dock at a multi-unit industrial-commercial building in Scarborough, Ontario. While reversing, the trailer struck a natural gas riser pipe and two manifolded gas meters, rupturing the gas line and damaging the meters. Following the collision, the driver disconnected the trailer from the tractor and left the scene without reporting the incident to authorities.
The collision caused a continuous release of pressurized natural gas overnight, creating a significant risk of injury, fatality, or property damage had the gas ignited and caused a fire or explosion. The leak was discovered the following morning and the gas supply was shut off by the fire department. The building was evacuated and no injuries were reported.
“This incident was serious because it involved not just one but two safety non-compliances: damaging a gas pipe and then failing to report it. That compounded the risk to the public, though we are fortunate that, in this case, no one was hurt,” said Owen Kennedy, Director of Fuel Safety at the Technical Standards and Safety Authority. “Everyone has a responsibility to help keep our communities safe.”
TSSA reminds the public that any damage to gas facilities or infrastructure and/or subsequent release of gas should be immediately reported to the Ministry of Environment’s Spills Action Centre at 1-800-268-6060 or by contacting 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.
For more information, please contact:
Alexandra Campbell
Vice President, Communications and Stakeholder Relations
Technical Standards and Safety Authority
Telephone: 416-734-2728
Email: media@tssa.org
Toronto, ON, October 3, 2025 — Kushdeep Gill, owner of Keepright Home Comfort, has been fined $20,000 plus a 25% victim surcharge after pleading guilty to an offence under Ontario Regulation 212/01 (Gaseous Fuels) of the Technical Standards and Safety Act, 2000. Mr. Gill was found guilty of unsafe fuel works, which resulted in the carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning of three children.
Mr. Gill, a certified G2 gas technician and TSSA-registered contractor, had been hired in May 2024 to install a furnace at a residence operating as a rental vacation home in Burlington, Ontario. During their stay in the property the following November, the children experienced carbon monoxide symptoms, including lethargy, headaches, and vomiting.
Mr. Gill shut off and later restored the home’s gas supply as part of his work at the property. When doing so, he was required to ensure that all gas appliances in the residence were operating safely. However, the property’s pool heater, which was designed for outdoor use, was being used indoors. The investigation by the Technical Standards and Safety Authority (TSSA) found the pool heater was improperly vented and had a faulty safety valve that failed to shut it off when unsafe. The pool heater caused a gas leak that led to the CO exposure.
“Carbon monoxide is a silent killer, which is highly poisonous, invisible, odourless, and tasteless. It is the responsibility of certified fuels contractors to ensure the safety of their work. Overlooking critical safety aspects can have serious consequences, like carbon monoxide poisoning, as we have seen in this case,” said Owen Kennedy, TSSA’s Director of Fuel Safety. “As the regulator, we will continue to uphold and enforce safety standards, which include prosecuting unsafe fuels work.”
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.
For more information, please contact:
Alexandra Campbell
Vice President, Communications and Stakeholder Relations
Technical Standards and Safety Authority
Telephone: 416-734-2728
Email: media@tssa.org
Toronto, ON, October 2, 2025 – Quebec-based company Franc Metal & Frères has pleaded guilty to two offences under the Technical Standards and Safety Act, 2000 (TSS Act) in connection with the sale of an unapproved mobile food truck to an Ontario business. The Ontario Court of Justice has imposed a fine of $30,000, along with a 25% victim surcharge.
Franc Metal & Frères was found to have sold an unapproved 2010-built food truck equipped with propane-fueled appliances to a catering business in Carleton Place, Ontario. The vehicle had not been certified for propane use as required by the Ontario Regulation 212/01: Gaseous Fuels of the TSSA Act. The company also misled the purchaser by affixing a falsified field approval label to the truck, falsely suggesting it met all safety standards set by the Technical Standards and Safety Authority (TSSA).
“The use of propane in food trucks can pose risks to owners, operators, and customers due to movement, vibration, and the presence of ignition sources on board. That’s why these vehicles must meet provincial safety regulations,” said Owen Kennedy, TSSA’s Director of Fuel Safety. “Selling an unapproved food truck with a fake TSSA approval label is irresponsible, and those who cut corners will face legal consequences.”
TSSA reminds businesses that all food trucks built after February 13, 2006, are required to have a Field Approval from TSSA or be certified and labelled by a certification organization that is accredited by the Standards Council of Canada. For those who wish to verify the Field Approval of a food truck, please contact TSSA at 1-877-682-8772 or via email at customerservices@tssa.org.
Approved food trucks must also be inspected annually by a TSSA-certified technician.
To learn more about food truck approval requirements, please visit TSSA’s website.
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.
For more information, please contact:
Alexandra Campbell
Vice President, Communications and Stakeholder Relations
Technical Standards and Safety Authority
Telephone: 416-734-2728
Email: media@tssa.org