Retail Supplier Agrees to Pay $80,000 Penalty

Just Energy Ontario L.P. has agreed to pay an administrative penalty of $80,000 (Canadian) under an Assurance of Voluntary Compliance with the Ontario Energy Board to resolve allegations stemming from the actions of two independent contractors.

According to the Assurance of Voluntary Compliance, two independent contractors acting as sales agents for Just Energy Ontario L.P., "engaged in conduct which amounted to breaches of the Energy Consumer Protection Act (the 'ECPA'), the Regulation made thereunder (Regulation 389/10) and the Electricity Retailer Code of Conduct (the 'Code')."

Specifically, on November 22, 2012, it is alleged that a Just Energy independent contractor and sales agent attended at the residence of a consumer and, "provided false or misleading statements, did not immediately and truthfully state his name and the retailer that he represented, and failed to prominently display a valid identification badge." This independent contractor and sales agent was suspended on November 27, 2012 during the investigation of the allegations and was subsequently terminated on December 13, 2012.

On June 11, 2012 it is alleged that a Just Energy independent contractor and sales agent approached a consumer and, "provided false or misleading statements as to the purpose of his visit and failed to offer a consumer a business card." Such independent contractor and sales agent was terminated on November 27, 2012.

Just Energy and the Ontario Energy Board agreed that the matter can be resolved with the filing of an Assurance of Voluntary Compliance, and steps taken thereunder.

Specifically, Just Energy has terminated the contract of the above referenced independent contractors/sales agents and has undertaken the following steps to ensure compliance with the breaches identified above:

1. Just Energy has added a financial compliance penalty to independent contractors/sales agents that have failed to provide a consumer with a business card.

2. Just Energy issued a memo to all Ontario Regionals restating the requirements under the Energy Consumer Protection Act with respect to business cards and ID badges. The memo also reiterated that the Global Adjustment was only to be referred to under the proper context with respect to the program offering.

3. Just Energy continues to emphasize the importance of compliance with the Regulations and Codes on calls with the Regional Distributors.