A Toronto-based private college and its director have been fined $410,000 for failing to pay nearly $185,000 in wages owed to 14 employees, following a lengthy legal battle that began in 2019.
Ontario International College Inc. and its director Anchuan Jiang were convicted in Provincial Offences Court on March 28 after failing to comply with multiple orders from employment standards officers to pay outstanding wages.
Justice of the Peace Ruby Wong imposed a $270,000 fine on the college and $140,000 on Jiang personally. The court also added a mandatory 25 per cent victim fine surcharge under the Provincial Offences Act.
Investigation reveals widespread wage violations
The Ministry of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development began investigating the college after determining that 14 employees had not received wages they were legally owed.
Between October 2019 and October 2020, employment standards officers issued multiple orders requiring the college to pay the outstanding wages, which totalled almost $185,000. The college operates from a location on Victoria Park Avenue in North York.
When the corporation failed to comply with the payment orders or seek a review, officers issued a director order directly to Jiang, holding him personally responsible for the unpaid wages.
Company and director ignored legal requirements
Both the college and Jiang ignored the legal orders and did not apply for reviews of the decisions, according to court documents. This led the ministry to pursue criminal charges under the Employment Standards Act.
The offences occurred on June 17, 2020, when both parties were required to comply with the outstanding payment orders.
Provincial prosecutors Dave Simpson and Alexsis Qi handled the cases, which resulted in guilty verdicts on all counts.
Fines separate from wage obligations
The $410,000 in fines represents penalties for failing to follow legal orders, not compensation for the affected workers. The original wage debt of nearly $185,000 remains separate from these court-imposed penalties.
The victim fine surcharge will be directed to a special provincial fund that assists crime victims.
Ontario International College Inc. operates as a private educational institution serving international students in the Greater Toronto Area.
