A contractor who installed a natural gas heater for a Burlington company has been fined $8,000 after pleading guilty to providing false information during a fuel safety inspection.

Gordon Carl Smith, owner of Thermo-Stat Mechanical Ltd., pleaded guilty this week to violating the Technical Standards and Safety Act, and the Ontario Court of Justice in Burlington fined him $8,000, plus the 25 per cent victim surcharge.

In November 2005, Stone Gate Properties, property management at 1400 Plains Rd. E. in Burlington, hired Thermo-Stat Mechanical Ltd. as a heating contractor, and Smith installed a natural gas unit heater at that location.

In January 2006, another heating contractor discovered during a service call that there were several deficiencies with the installation.

The contractor shut off the gas supply and contacted the fuels safety division of the Technical Standards and Safety Authority (TSSA).

The authority investigated, confirmed the unsafe condition of the heater and arranged to meet with Smith.

During an interview, Smith knowingly presented false information, claiming to possess a valid gas technician certificate which, upon closer examination, belonged to his father.

TSSA determined that Smith did not possess valid certification and he was subsequently charged with knowingly providing false information during a fuel safety inspection, contrary to the act.

Smith appeared in court on Monday and subsequently pleaded guilty.

"Knowingly obstructing, hindering or providing an inspector with false information during a fuel safety inspection is a serious offence," said John Marshall, director of TSSA's fuels safety program.

"In Ontario, all agents employed in the installation, repair or servicing of natural gas appliances must possess valid certification."

TSSA is a non-government organization that provides safety services in various industry sectors including fuels, boilers and operating engineers and elevating devices.