July 27, 2026
A Hamilton-based construction company has been fined after pleading guilty to the unauthorized use of a professional engineer’s seal, reinforcing the importance of engineering compliance and public safety in Ontario’s construction industry.
The Ontario Court of Justice ordered Grandville Construction Limited to pay a $7,500 fine after the company admitted to using a facsimile of a professional engineer’s seal without the engineer’s knowledge or consent.
According to Professional Engineers Ontario (PEO), the incident occurred in October 2024, when Grandville Construction applied an engineer’s seal to several pages of a residential deck permit application submitted to the City of Hamilton. The engineer whose seal appeared on the documents had not authorized its use.
Following a complaint, PEO investigated the matter and laid charges under Ontario’s Professional Engineers Act (PEA).
On July 16, 2026, Grandville Construction pleaded guilty to violating Section 40(3)(b) of the Professional Engineers Act. The company’s director, Harjinder Singh Sandhu, also pleaded guilty under Section 40(5) in connection with the offence.
In addition to the company’s $7,500 fine, Sandhu received a suspended sentence and was placed on probation for one year.
PEO emphasized that the unauthorized use or forgery of a professional engineer’s seal on engineering or construction documents is a quasi-criminal offence under the Professional Engineers Act. Depending on the circumstances, such conduct may also result in charges under the Criminal Code of Canada.
The regulator also advises consumers and project owners to verify the credentials of engineers—particularly those hired through freelance platforms—to ensure they are licensed in Ontario and can be contacted through legitimate professional channels.
PEO administers the Professional Engineers Act and regulates more than 98,000 professional engineers and engineering firms across Ontario to protect the public interest.
Individuals seeking engineering services should confirm that professionals hold the P.Eng. designation and verify their credentials through PEO’s public directory before engaging their services.
This case serves as a reminder to contractors, consultants, and property owners that compliance with engineering regulations is essential for maintaining public trust, protecting project integrity, and ensuring construction documents are properly authorized.
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