A Leamington-based temporary help agency and its director have been convicted and fined a combined $150,000 after failing to comply with provincial orders to pay workers' wages. The Ontario Ministry of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development announced the penalties on Wednesday, following an ex parte trial held in Windsor Provincial Offences Court on April 23, 2026.
Investigation Uncovers Widespread Wage Violations
The case originated from more than $234,000 in unpaid wages identified in the agency's 2022 employer records. The ministry launched an investigation after receiving complaints about the company in early 2023. The probe revealed multiple contraventions of the Employment Standards Act (ESA), including unpaid minimum wage entitlements and termination of assignment pay.
According to the ministry, hundreds of employees were owed wages, including regular wages, public holiday pay, and vacation pay, totaling $234,212.47. An Order to Pay was issued in June 2023, requiring the company to repay the owed wages plus administrative costs.
Director Held Personally Responsible
When the company failed to pay the order and did not file an application for review with the Ontario Labour Relations Board, a Director's Order to Pay was issued in August 2023. This made director Son-Van Duong personally responsible for a portion of the unpaid wages. The ministry stated that Duong also did not pay the order or seek a review.
Justice of the Peace Holly DeBacker convicted both the agency and Duong following the trial. The company was fined $100,000, and the director was fined $50,000. Additionally, a 25 per cent victim fine surcharge was imposed under the Provincial Offences Act.
The ministry emphasized that failure to comply with an Order to Pay or Director's Order to Pay wages is an offense under the Employment Standards Act.
