Toronto – (April 10, 2015) – On April 7, the Ontario Court of Justice fined Dilip Chhaniyara of Brampton $10,000 for copying a professional engineer’s seal. In assessing the fine, His Worship R.J. Cotter considered the need to deter other unlicensed people from this action because of the risk of harm to the public. Mr. Chhaniyara was convicted of breaching the Professional Engineers Act for copying the seal of a professional engineer onto seven different drawings for two building projects in 2013.
Mr. Chhaniyara has never been licensed as an engineer by Professional Engineers Ontario (PEO).
The matter came to PEO’s attention after a professional engineer became aware of drawings that carried the engineer’s seal that had been filed with two building departments, but t hat the engineer had not created or sealed. The drawings were part of building permit applications for a restaurant fit out in Brampton and a catering business fit out in Mississauga. The drawings included proposed sprinkler head locations and a proposed drainage layout. An investigation by PEO found the seals on the drawings to be fake. Nick Hambleton, student-at-law, represented PEO in this matter.
PEO would like to thank members of the public, engineers and the building departments in Mississauga and Brampton for their cooperation in its investigation.
About Professional Engineers Ontario
Through the Professional Engineers Act, PEO governs over 83,000 licence and certificate holders and regulates professional engineering in Ontario to serve and protect the public. Professional engineering safeguards life, health, property, economic interests, the public welfare and the environment. Professional engineers can be identified by the P.Eng. after their names.
About Retaining an Engineer
When retaining the services of an engineer or engineering firm, the public may search PEO’s directories of licensed professional engineers and authorized professional engineering companies at the website www.peo.on.ca. Inquiries regarding unlicensed individuals and unauthorized companies may be made to PEO through its enforcement hotline at 416-840-1444 or 1-800-339-3716, ext 1444, or by emailing [email protected].
For additional information, please contact:
David Smith, Manager, Communications
Professional Engineers Ontario
Tel: 416-840-1068, 1-800-339-3716, ext. 1068;
Cell: 416-458-4140
Email: [email protected]