Ontario regulator lays 124 new charges against Toronto home builder
FILE - A construction worker works on a house in a new housing development in Oakville, Ont., north of Dundas Street, Friday, April 29. 2011. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Richard Buchan
An Ontario regulator has laid 124 new charges against a Toronto home builder accused of constructing and selling homes without a licence.
On Thursday, the Home Construction Regulatory Authority (HCRA) announced the charges against Albion Building Consultant Inc. and its five business associates in connection with the construction of 40 new homes.
Earlier this year, the HCRA, a non-profit organization that regulates home builders and vendors in Ontario, revoked Albion’s licence because it said the company "would not operate lawfully or with honesty and integrity.”
However, Albion allegedly continued to build homes illegally.
It prompted the HCRA to search Albion’s offices in February, resulting in the seizure of hundreds of thousands of business records.
The regulator added that it subsequently issued a freeze order to prohibit Albion from withdrawing purchasers’ funds. The order also required the company to hold the funds in trust.
The HCRA said the new charges against Albion were based on the evidence obtained during the search, revealing alleged extensive violations.
The charges include illegal building and selling, failure to enrol homes, failure to comply with conditions, and being a party to an offence.
The regulator said it is the largest investigation in its history.
“Albion has repeatedly disregarded the law governing new home construction. The HCRA will continue to increase penalties on this former licensee until it stops putting the public at risk,” HCRA CEO and registrar Wendy Moir said in a statement.
“We cannot allow companies like Albion to continue to violate the law, undermine the industry’s integrity, and compromise public safety.”
Moir added: “We advise all consumers to be on the lookout and extremely cautious of Albion falsely presenting itself as a licensed builder, which it is not. They are not qualified or authorized to build or sell homes.”
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
American expat votes in Canada could 'change everything': election expert
With the U.S. election widely predicted to be a close race, some believe American voters in Canada and overseas will be crucial in helping elect the new president about a month from now.
Ontario family devastated after losing thousands to online flight ticket scam
An Ontario family was planning a religious trip to Saudi Arabia that included 10 people, but when they were checking in for their flights, the family discovered some of their tickets were fake.
Grandparents found hugging each other after fallen tree killed them in their South Carolina home
As Hurricane Helene roared outside, the wind howling and branches snapping, John Savage went to his grandparents' bedroom to make sure they were OK.
Canadian figure skater suspended at least 6 years for 'sexual maltreatment'
Canadian figure skater Nikolaj Sorensen has been suspended for at least six years for 'sexual maltreatment,' the Office of the Sport Integrity Commissioner announced Wednesday.
Influential prophesizing pastors believe reelecting Trump is a win in the war of angels and demons
Thousands sang, cheered and prayed as multiple preachers declared Donald Trump to be God's favoured candidate to defeat what one called the “forces of darkness.”
W5 Investigates
W5 Investigates What it's like to interview a narco
Drug smuggling is the main industry for Mexican cartels, but migrant smuggling is turning into a financial windfall. In this fourth instalment of CTV W5's 'Narco Jungle: The Death Train,' Avery Haines is in Juarez where she speaks with one of the human smugglers known as 'coyotes.'
B.C. man ordered to pay damages for defamatory Google review
A B.C. man has been ordered to pay a total of $4,000 to a Coquitlam company and its two owners because of a negative review he posted on Google.
DEVELOPING
DEVELOPING Israel extends evacuation warnings in Lebanon, signalling a wider offensive
The Israeli military on Thursday warned people to evacuate a city and other communities in southern Lebanon that are north of a UN-declared buffer zone, signalling that it may widen a ground operation launched earlier this week against the Hezbollah militant group.
A 5th recall for Tesla Cybertruck within a year, the latest due to rearview display
Tesla is recalling more than 27,000 Cybertrucks because the rearview camera image may not activate immediately after shifting into reverse, the fifth recall for the vehicle since it went on sale late last year.
Shopping Trends
The Shopping Trends team is independent of the journalists at CTV News. We may earn a commission when you use our links to shop. Read about us.
Montreal
-
Supreme Court to hear Quebec's challenge to daycare access for asylum seekers
The Supreme Court of Canada says it will hear a challenge from the Quebec government to a lower court ruling granting asylum seekers access to subsidized daycare spaces.
-
Quebec Liberal Party gives Legault a ‘King of Deficits’ jersey
As the Los Angeles Kings prepare to play a controversial preseason game in Quebec City on Thursday evening, the Quebec Liberal Party (PLQ) has given François Legault a Kings jersey, but not just any Kings jersey.
-
Family left with $7,000 vet bill after cat survives 11th-floor plunge
Eva Abdul Khalek is grateful. Her cat Luigi survived a fall from their 11th-floor balcony. The family believes the cat snuck out, likely through the balcony door that was left open.
Ottawa
-
BREAKINGBREAKING Several schools in Kemptville and Iroquois, Ont. closed today after alleged threats
Several schools are closed in Kemptville, Ont. today as police investigate a threat targeting a Catholic high school in the community.
-
Most Canadians want employers to be flexible on hybrid work arrangements in the future, survey finds
Most Canadians want employers to be flexible on hybrid work policies in the future, saying work-from-home arrangements enhance employee productivity and well-being, according to a new survey.
-
OC Transpo expected to provide start date for Trillium Line trial running at technical briefing
OC Transpo will be providing an update today on the Trillium Line LRT, including an anticipated start date for trial running.
Northern Ontario
-
Northern Ont. trial begins with shocking details about murder scene
The jury at the trial of a second-degree murder suspect in Sudbury on Wednesday heard graphic details of the crime scene discovered in a Kathleen Street apartment on Boxing Day 2020.
-
Ontario family devastated after losing thousands to online flight ticket scam
An Ontario family was planning a religious trip to Saudi Arabia that included 10 people, but when they were checking in for their flights, the family discovered some of their tickets were fake.
-
B.C. man ordered to pay damages for defamatory Google review
A B.C. man has been ordered to pay a total of $4,000 to a Coquitlam company and its two owners because of a negative review he posted on Google.
Kitchener
-
Health official confirms death of Ontario child following rabies diagnosis
A health official has confirmed a child in Ontario has died after they came in contact with a rabid bat.
-
Official Kitchener-Waterloo Oktoberfest keg tappers announced
An Olympian and retired competitive boxer have been named as the official Kitchener-Waterloo Oktoberfest keg tappers.
-
OPP trying to identify two vehicles as part of Erin arson investigation
Wellington County Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) are trying to identify two vehicles as part of an arson investigation in Erin.
London
-
Two people sent to hospital after Middlesex County crash
The crash happened around 10:40 a.m. on Wednesday
-
Transport truck fire shuts down section of Highway 402
Drivers on Highway 402 in the area of Wonderland Road may have experienced some delays on Wednesday. OPP and London fire were on scene after a transport truck caught fire around 4:30 p.m.
-
Client dies after visiting London’s Carepoint facility
An investigation is underway at London's safe consumption site after someone who visited the facility died.
Windsor
-
Crash impacts morning traffic on Ouellette Avenue
A multi-vehicle collision on the Ouellette Avenue overpass impacted morning commuters heading to downtown Windsor on Thursday morning.
-
Downed power lines cause Chatham road closure
Police in Chatham are advising the public of a road closure. The intersection of Queen Street and Park Avenue is closed because of downed power lines.
-
'It was kind of like a job interview': Accused Windsorite admits to communications with terrorist organization
WARNING: This article contains content some may find offensive. Reader’s discretion is advised.
Barrie
-
Aurora, Ont. man convicted of manslaughter after wife's disappearance sentenced
An Aurora, Ont. man who has maintained his innocence despite being convicted of killing his wife will learn his fate in a Newmarket courtroom on Wednesday.
-
Tenants flee kitchen fire
Smoke alarms alerted apartment occupants of a kitchen fire below.
-
Councillor Clare Riepma reprimanded, docked pay for code of conduct violations
Ward 1 Councillor Clare Riepma will be docked 15 days' pay and was sternly reprimanded for violating the City of Barrie's code of conduct on two separate occasions.
Winnipeg
-
'It will take time': Wab Kinew reflects on first year as Manitoba premier
Manitoba Premier Wab Kinew continues to enjoy a honeymoon with voters one year after his NDP government was elected, but there are challenges ahead in fulfilling promises to improve health care and balance the budget.
-
Armed man dies following officer-involved shooting in Winnipeg apartment
A man has died and Manitoba's police watchdog is investigating after an officer-involved shooting Wednesday afternoon.
-
Unknown Canadian soldier from First World War identified as Manitoba man
The grave of a previously unknown Canadian soldier has been identified as a man from Hayfield, Man. who fought in the First World War.
Atlantic
-
Teen charged with manslaughter in Fredericton homicide; victim identified
A 17-year-old boy has been charged with manslaughter in the death of a man who was assaulted in Fredericton last month.
-
Saint John police seek man wanted on Canada-wide warrant
Police in Saint John, N.B., are looking for a man wanted on a Canada-wide warrant. The Saint John Police Force says 31-year-old Ryan Cail breached the conditions of his statutory release when he failed to report to the Community Correctional Centre last month.
-
'Extremely disappointing': Pictou businesses feel the pain as P.E.I. ferries remain out of service
A Nova Scotia town which relies on tourists is feeling the impacts of cancelled ferry crossings to Prince Edward Island.
N.L.
-
Marathon goat: Animal runner wins hearts and a medal after crashing Newfoundland race
He may not have logged the fastest time or even gone the full distance, but residents of a Newfoundland town agree the goat who unexpectedly joined the local weekend half marathon was the event's undisputed champion.
-
Labrador residents say 'inhumane' food prices force families to go hungry
A mother in a community where the cost of living is one of the highest in the country says grocery prices are 'inhumane' and retailers are putting profits ahead of people’s basic human right to food.
-
Small English soccer team has huge year, thanks in part to Newfoundland and Labrador
A soccer game in England on Tuesday night drove a spike in online traffic across the Atlantic to a website launched by the Newfoundland and Labrador government.
Edmonton
-
Nav Canada has no record of 'chemtrails' conversation with Alberta government
There are renewed questions over a recent comment by Alberta Premier Danielle Smith on whether the province is being sprayed from above by so-called chemtrails.
-
Prime Video's NHL reality series to debut Friday: 'There was no holding back'
The six-part "FACEOFF: Inside the NHL" docuseries debuts Friday, a behind-the-scenes sports showcase from Prime Video.
-
WEATHER
WEATHER Josh Classen's forecast: Gradual warming trend begins
Temperatures managed to stay above 0 C across most (possibly all) of the Edmonton region this morning as cloud cover hung around and helped insulate things.
Calgary
-
Calgary shooting range closes its doors, citing gun ban, high rent and COVID-19 struggles
A Calgary shooting range, which has been in operation for almost 25 years, has closed.
-
Cyclist hit by vehicle on Country Hills Boulevard N.E.
Emergency crews were called to the scene of a crash involving a cyclist on Country Hills Boulevard near Deerfoot Trail N.E.
-
Calgary's quality of life takes hit amid rising costs, new report suggests
A new report from the Calgary Foundation paints a concerning picture of the city's quality of life, highlighting rising costs, housing challenges and safety concerns.
Regina
-
Woman pleads guilty to defrauding Regina Mobile Crisis Services
A Regina woman has pleaded guilty to one count of fraud after being charged with defrauding Regina Mobile Crisis Services.
-
Saskatchewan United Party makes pitch to slash PST on second day of campaigning
Saskatchewan's general election campaign moved into its second day Wednesday, with the two main parties shying away from touching the provincial sales tax while an upstart conservative party promises to slash it in half.
-
Saskatoon
-
Early morning fire causes major damage to Saskatoon home
A home in Saskatoon’s Haultain neighbourhood has been left devastated following a fire early Wednesday morning.
-
'An exciting way to meet people': Saskatoon photographer matches singles on blind date
A Saskatoon photographer is hoping to make some love connections through a unique blind dating. The idea came out of a need to help singles get offline and back to real in-person connections.
-
Hard for voters to get excited about Saskatchewan's 'little election,' political scientist says
A Saskatoon-based political scientist doesn't expect Saskatchewan's provincial election to be dominated by large issues, explosive events or political fireworks prior to voting day on Oct. 28.
Vancouver
-
DEVELOPINGDEVELOPING South Vancouver house fire closes section of Marine Drive
Police and firefighters are responding to a house fire in Vancouver's Kerrisdale neighbourhood Thursday morning.
-
'Like going to a buffet with no one else in line': Housing sales stall in Metro Vancouver, Fraser Valley
New data from Greater Vancouver and the Fraser Valley shows a surge in supply and drop in demand in the region's historically hot real estate market.
-
B.C. Election: B.C. NDP to release full party platform
B.C. NDP Leader David Eby will announce his party's full action plan at an event in Surrey Thursday.
Vancouver Island
-
Plea from B.C. election candidates: Stop trashing our campaign signs
The moment the writ was dropped for the Oct. 19 election, candidates all over B.C. began putting up campaign signs. By the following day, many of those signs had already been stolen or vandalized, and that’s continuing today.
-
DoorDash adds fees in response to B.C. gig worker wage law
DoorDash is increasing fees in British Columbia in response to recently passed provincial legislation.
-
Indigenous-led campaign against gender-based violence tells John Rustad to stop wearing its pin
A grassroots campaign to end gender-based violence has sent a letter to BC Conservative Leader John Rustad informing him it is withdrawing permission for him to wear its symbol.
