Unlicensed Electrician Sentenced to Jail After Repeat Safety Violations

ESA takes strong enforcement action against the underground economy of electrical work

Mississauga, ON (August 25, 2025) – In May 2025, Julian Solarte-Arango – the sole proprietor of Mr. Fix Enterprise – was sentenced to jail following his third conviction under Ontario’s Electricity Act, 1998. Solarte-Arango was found guilty of four new offences and was sentenced to 15 days in jail for each, with all sentences running concurrently.

“Unlicensed electrical work can have serious consequences, from electrical shocks to fires, or even fatalities,” says Emily Larose, Vice President of Regulatory and General Counsel, Electrical Safety Authority (ESA). “It is our commitment as the regulator of electrical safety in the province to protect Ontarians from electrical harm. That’s why we take serious action against unlicensed contractors who put Ontarians at risk, including jail time.”

Despite two previous convictions in 2019 and 2022, Solarte-Arango continued to perform electrical work without a licence in multiple Ontario cities, leaving behind a trail of unsafe installations at both commercial and residential properties. In 2023, he continued to post online advertisements for electrical work, even though he did not hold a valid electrical contracting licence.  

Solarte-Arango was charged with offences including operating an electrical contracting business without a licence in Niagara Falls and Thorold; advertising electrical services without an electrical contracting licence; and falsely presenting an ESA-issued document as genuine. 

“Not only is unlicensed electrical work illegal, it also has four times more safety issues than work done by a Licensed Electrical Contractor,” adds Larose. “ESA is committed to taking strong enforcement action against those who don’t prioritize safety and the integrity of the electrical trade. By hiring a Licensed Electrical Contractor who takes out an ESA permit, it ensures there is oversight from ESA to help verify the work is done properly and safely.” 

By law, in Ontario, only Licensed Electrical Contractors (LECs) can be hired to do electrical work in your home. LECs are trained, insured and file electrical permits with ESA to ensure their work complies with the Ontario Electrical Safety Code. 

Here are red flags to look out for that could indicate your electrician is not licensed:

• The contractor asks you to file an ESA permit or notification of work in your name or says you don’t need one.
• There’s no ECRA/ESA licence number on their work vehicle, estimate or advertisements.
• They won’t give you their licence number when you ask for it.
• They do more than just electrical work, such as drywall, flooring, plumbing, snow removal or other home improvement work.
• They offer a discount if you pay cash and/or won’t provide a receipt.
• They say, “If anyone asks, tell them you did the work yourself.”

To prevent unlicensed electrical contractors from continuing to put Ontarians at risk, you can report them through ESA’s anonymous reporting tool at esasafe.com/reportacontractor.

To find or verify a Licensed Electrical Contractor, visit HireLicensed.ca.
 

About the Electrical Safety Authority

The Electrical Safety Authority's (ESA's) role is to improve public electrical safety in Ontario. ESA is an administrative authority responsible for administering specific regulations under the Electricity Act, 1998 (Part VIII) related to the Ontario Electrical Safety Code, the licensing of Electrical Contractors and Master Electricians, electricity distribution system safety, and electrical product safety. ESA works extensively with stakeholders throughout the province on education, training and promotion to foster electrical safety across the province.

More information on the Electrical Safety Authority can be found at www.esasafe.com, through X https://x.com/homeandsafety and on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/ElectricalSafetyAuthority.