Hamilton resident, facing third prosecution, was found guilty of multiple violations after unsafe work created immediate risks for homeowners
Robert Spearing has been found guilty of multiple counts of working on gas appliances while being uncertified and acting as a contractor when not registered.
Spearing was convicted on multiple counts. In two cases, the work was left with such immediate hazards that the local gas utility had to be called to shut off the gas supply to protect the residents.
This is the third prosecution that Robert Spearing has faced for similar reasons. He has not held a valid certification to perform fuels work for households since 1996. Sentencing is scheduled for July 17, 2026.
“Contractors without a valid certification or registration with TSSA are operating illegally,” said Owen Kennedy, Director of the Fuel Safety at TSSA. “None of their work, equipment or qualifications are audited or verified by TSSA. Hiring these fuels scammers can lead to serious risks, including carbon monoxide poisoning and other harmful consequences.”
Under Ontario law, maintenance of furnaces and fuel-fired appliances must be performed by TSSA-registered contractors. All registered contractors are required to hire TSSA-certified gas technicians who have extensive training and are qualified to perform fuels work safely.
Before hiring a contractor for fuel-related work, members of the public are encouraged to search for and verify registered contractors using TSSA’s online Authorized Heating Fuel Contractors Lookup Tool.
When approached by fraudulent fuels workers, consumers should report them to TSSA. TSSA is committed to investigating these reports and taking legal action when necessary. Reporting illegal workers can help save others from fuels scams.
About TSSA
The Technical Standards and Safety Authority 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, June 18, 2026 -- Robert William Seager has been found guilty in the Ontario Court of Justice for working without a certificate on more than 300 gas appliances in the Durham Region.
The Court sentenced Seager to 30 days in jail, along with a $10,000 fine and a mandatory 25 per cent victim fine surcharge, bringing the total financial penalty to $12,500. He was also placed on probation for two years.
Seager was convicted of one count of doing gas work without being certified, in violation of section 6(1) of Ontario Regulation 212/01.
An investigation by the Technical Standards and Safety Authority (TSSA) found Seager carried out gas work without holding the required TSSA gas technician certificate and operated as an unregistered fuel heating contractor. He accepted payment for installations that were incomplete and deficient, requiring corrective work by others.
Investigators also found he improperly installed a water heater that contributed to property damage, and he worked on more than 300 gas appliances without certification across Durham Region.
“Unlicensed gas work poses a serious risk to public safety,” said Owen Kennedy, Director of the Fuel Safety at TSSA. “Certified technicians are required to meet strict safety standards. When they operate without proper safety credentials, they put people and property at risk. TSSA will continue to take enforcement action to protect Ontarians.”
In 2022, Seager was convicted and fined $4,000, plus the victim fine surcharge, for the same violation.
Residents who are concerned about work that may have been done by Robert Seager are encouraged to find a local TSSA-registered contractor to do a full inspection.
In Ontario, only fuel contractors registered with TSSA and individuals holding a valid gas technician certificate are legally permitted to work on fuel fired appliances. Before commissioning any fuel work, members of the public are encouraged to search for and verify registered contractors using TSSA’s online Authorized Heating Fuel Contractors Lookup Tool.
About TSSA
The Technical Standards and Safety Authority 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.
-30-
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 Technical Standards and Safety Authority (TSSA) has published amendments to the Gaseous Fuels Code Adoption Document (CAD) and the associated Consultation Summary after reviewing feedback from the consultation that closed on January 19, 2026.
We thank stakeholders for their input on the Gaseous Fuels CAD which was last updated and published in 2021.
Please read the latest Gaseous Fuels CAD and the Consultation Summary on TSSA’s website.
This news was shared with Gaseous Fuels clients, stakeholders and web subscribers.
Consultation closes on January 19, 2026
The Technical Standards and Safety Authority (TSSA) invites you to provide feedback on the draft publication of the following Code Adoption Documents (CAD):
- Gaseous Fuels CAD: This CAD adopts the latest CSA codes B149.1, B149.3, B149.6 and NFPA 160 as regulated under O. Reg 212/01 Gaseous Fuels.
- Propane CAD: This CAD adopts the latest CSA codes B149.2, B149.1, B149.3, B149.5 and NFPA 160 as regulated under O. Reg. 211/01 Propane Storage and handling.
The opportunity to provide feedback is open for 60 days from November 20, 2025, to January 19, 2026. TSSA aims to publish the final CADs after reviewing consultation feedback.
- Provide feedback on Gaseous Fuels CAD Consultation
- Provide feedback on Propane CAD Consultation
You can also find all open consultations on the EngageTSSA Platform.
If you have questions or concerns, please contact Chris Thompson at cthompson@tssa.org for assistance.