Media Advisory: Engineering Licensing Body Obtains Order Against Vaughan-Area Man
TORONTO, ONTARIO–(Marketwire - June 29, 2007) - Professional Engineers Ontario (PEO) obtained an Order under the Professional Engineers Act in the Ontario Superior Court of Justice on Thursday against Siamak Jasmshidi Barzi, also known as Mike Barzi, for holding himself out as engaging in the practice of professional engineering, and in the business of providing to the public services that are within the practice of professional engineering, and for using the titles “engineer” and “professional engineer” in his dealing with a client.
Barzi has never held a licence to practise professional engineering or a Certificate of Authorization in Ontario. Neither have his unincorporated businesses, Home Inspection Professionals and Building Inspection Professionals.
Under the Professional Engineers Act, a public protection statute, only individuals who are licensed as professional engineers by PEO or hold a temporary licence from PEO may represent themselves as professional engineers, engage in the practice of professional engineering and in the business of providing to the public in Ontario services that are within the practice of professional engineering, or may use the titles “professional engineer” or “engineer”.
PEO brought the application after receiving information from a former client of Barzi’s, who had intended to hire Barzi to issue a report after seeing an ad in the Toronto Yellow Pages, in which Barzi referred to his business as “Home Inspection Professionals” and represented it had “Qualified Engineers”.
After reviewing the affidavit evidence and hearing from the parties, the Honourable Madam Justice Allen found Barzi had breached several sections of the Professional Engineers Act and ordered that he refrain from engaging in the practice of professional engineering and/or from holding himself out as engaging in the business of providing to the public in Ontario services that are within the practice of professional engineering unless he obtains a licence or a Certificate of Authorization from PEO.
Barzi was also ordered to refrain from using the titles “engineer”, “professional engineer”, “P.Eng.”, or any abbreviation or variation thereof, as an occupational or business designation in Ontario unless he obtains a licence from PEO. Barzi was ordered to pay costs to PEO of $1,500.
Neil J. Perrier of Perrier Law Professional Corporation represented PEO on the application.
Professional Engineers Ontario administers the Professional Engineers Act to serve and protect the public interest by licensing Ontario’s 70,000 professional engineers, granting temporary, limited and provisional licences to practise professional engineering, and permitting more than 4,200 firms and individuals to offer engineering services to the public under Certificates of Authorization. Under the Professional Engineers Act, a Certificate of Authorization is required before any individual or business can provide professional engineering services to the public.
PEO also disciplines professional engineers and firms that fail to maintain the profession’s technical and ethical standards, and prosecutes in the Courts those practising professional engineering without a licence, or using a term, title or designation that may lead others to believe they are entitled to practise.
Rigorously educated, experienced, and committed to a Code of Ethics that puts the public interest first, licensed professional engineers can be identified by the P.Eng. after their names.
Enforcement Hotline:
(416) 224-9528 Ext. 1444
