Geotech Engineering Corp fined for breaches of the Professional Engineers Act

On January 12, Mohammed Hasan Abuzour and Geotech Engineering Corporation were convicted of breaching the Professional Engineers Act by the Ontario Court of Justice at Toronto and fined a total of $18,500.

In May 2017, Geotech Engineering Corporation was incorporated in Ontario without the consent of Professional Engineers Ontario (PEO) to use “engineering” in their corporate name. Between June 2017 and September 2017, PEO advised Geotech and Abuzour in writing of its objection to the use of “engineering” in their corporate name without the required consent.

In February 2018, Abuzour submitted project proposals on behalf of Geotech that offered to complete geotechnical engineering investigations. These services required the application of engineering principles to evaluate, advise and report on the properties and behaviour of earth materials. Further, the proposals concerned the installation, reconstruction and rehabilitation of public works that related to the safeguarding of life, health, property and the public welfare.

The proposals also used terms, titles and descriptions that would lead to the belief that Geotech and Abuzor are authorized to provide professional engineering services to the public, including use of the corporate name “GeoTech Engineering Inc.” and the statement that it was a “full-service engineering consulting firm.”

 Justice of the Peace Rizwan Khan convicted Abuzour and Geotech of three offences each, with Abuzor fined a total of $3,500 and Geotech fined a total of $15,000.

Nick Hambleton, associate counsel, regulatory compliance, represented PEO in this matter.

www.peo.on.ca