How do I report a contractor to their licensing body?

In Ottawa and Ontario, you can report contractors to their specific licensing bodies depending on the type of work - ESA for electrical, TSSA for gas/HVAC, or WSIB for workplace safety violations.

Electrical Work - ESA (Electrical Safety Authority)

If your issue involves electrical work, report to ESA at 1-877-372-7233 or online at esasafe.com. ESA handles complaints about:

• Unlicensed electrical work


• Poor quality electrical installations


• Safety violations


• Licensed Electrical Contractors (LECs) not following code

You'll need to provide details about the work performed, the contractor's ESA license number (if they claimed to have one), and documentation of the issues. ESA can investigate, require corrections, and potentially suspend licenses for serious violations.

Gas and HVAC Work - TSSA (Technical Standards and Safety Authority)

For gas fitting, propane, or certain HVAC work, contact TSSA at 1-877-682-8772 or file online at tssa.org. TSSA regulates:

• Gas line installations and repairs


• Furnace and water heater installations


• Propane system work


• Oil-to-gas conversions

TSSA can investigate unlicensed work and require certified technicians to correct dangerous installations. They maintain a database of certified contractors you should have verified before hiring.

General Construction - Limited Licensing in Ontario

Unlike some provinces, Ontario doesn't have comprehensive contractor licensing for general construction work. However, you can still take action:

WSIB Violations: If a contractor should have WSIB coverage but doesn't, report to WSIB at 1-800-387-0750. All contractors with employees or subcontractors must have WSIB clearance.

Consumer Protection: File complaints with Ontario's Consumer Protection Office at 1-800-889-9768 or ontario.ca/consumers for issues like:

• Contract violations


• Deposit scams


• Failure to complete work


• Misrepresentation

City of Ottawa Building Code Violations

For work done without proper permits or not meeting Ontario Building Code, contact City of Ottawa Building Code Services at 613-580-2424. They can:

• Issue stop-work orders


• Require permits for unpermitted work


• Order corrections for code violations


• Impose fines for non-compliance

What Information to Gather

Before reporting, document everything:

• Contractor's business name and contact information


• Any license numbers they provided


• Photos of the work and problems


• Copies of contracts and receipts


• Timeline of events


• Safety concerns or code violations

Additional Consumer Protection

Consider also reporting to the Better Business Bureau and leaving reviews on Google and other platforms to warn other Ottawa homeowners. For significant financial losses, consult with a lawyer about your options under Ontario's Construction Act, particularly regarding lien rights and holdback requirements.

The key is reporting to the RIGHT authority - ESA for electrical, TSSA for gas, WSIB for coverage issues, and the City for building code violations. Each has different powers to investigate and take action against problem contractors.