When Professional Engineers Ontario Contacts You
This page is for licensed engineers and for the businesses that offer engineering services to the public under a Certificate of Authorization. Complaints often follow a structural failure, a disputed design or inspection, a building permit problem, or a sealing and signing issue. Clients, members of the public and other engineers can complain, and the Registrar can investigate on reasonable grounds.
Illustrative example, not an actual PEO letter
“PEO has received a complaint alleging that drawings bearing your seal were not prepared under your supervision, and that a retaining wall design did not meet the applicable standard. You may submit a written explanation to the Complaints Committee.”
Who Investigates and Who Decides
- Regulator
- Professional Engineers Ontario, under the Professional Engineers Act (“the Act”) and its regulations, including the code of ethics and professional misconduct provisions.
- Who investigates
- The Complaints Committee investigates complaints from the public and members (Act, s. 24). The Registrar can also investigate (s. 33).
- Who decides at the complaint stage
- The Complaints Committee. It can refer the matter to the Discipline Committee, decide not to refer it, or take other appropriate action (s. 24(2)).
- Review of complaint handling
- A Complaints Review Councillor can review how a complaint was handled, but not its merits. A complainant can apply once the committee has disposed of the complaint, or if it has not disposed of it within 90 days (s. 26).
- Who holds hearings
- The Discipline Committee (ss. 27–30). The Council or Executive Committee can also refer matters to it (s. 27.1).
- Who hears appeals
- The Divisional Court (s. 31).
Key timeline
The Complaints Committee cannot act until you have been notified and given at least two weeks to submit a written explanation (Act, s. 24(1)(a)). That is short, so check the date in your notice immediately.
Common Issues in Engineering Investigations
Sealing and supervision
Sealing documents you did not prepare or check, and lending your seal to others.
Negligence in design or review
Designs, inspections or reviews that do not meet the applicable codes and standards.
Practising outside competence or authorization
Work outside your area of expertise, or a business offering engineering services without a Certificate of Authorization.
Conflicts of interest
Undisclosed financial interests, and reviewing your own or a related party’s work.
Public safety duties
Failing to act or report when work poses a risk to the public.
What Can Happen Next
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Complaints Committee decision
The committee refers the matter, does not refer it, or takes other appropriate action (Act, s. 24(2)). The complainant and you receive the written decision, with reasons if the matter is not referred, and the complainant is told about the right to apply to the Complaints Review Councillor (s. 24(3)–(4)).
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Discipline hearing
If the Discipline Committee finds professional misconduct or incompetence, it may revoke or suspend a licence or Certificate of Authorization for up to 24 months; accept an undertaking to limit your work; impose terms, conditions or restrictions such as supervision or periodic inspections; require a reprimand, admonishment or counselling; and impose a fine of up to $5,000, among other orders (Act, s. 28(4)).
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Appeal
A party may appeal to the Divisional Court (Act, s. 31). Whether the order takes effect during an appeal depends on the ground. Orders based on incompetence take effect immediately unless the court orders otherwise. Orders based on other grounds, such as professional misconduct, do not take effect until the appeal period ends or the appeal is decided, unless the Discipline Committee orders otherwise for the protection of the public (s. 29).
Checklist: Responding to PEO
Documents to gather
- PEO’s letter and the date you received it, since your response time may be as short as two weeks
- Drawings, specifications, calculations and reports, with revision history
- Records showing who prepared, checked and sealed each document
- Site review notes, photos and correspondence with the client, contractor and municipality
- Your firm’s Certificate of Authorization and quality procedures
Details to check in the notice
- Your written response deadline
- Whether it concerns you, your firm’s Certificate of Authorization, or both
- Which projects and documents are identified
Rules and resources to consult
- Professional Engineers Act, ss. 24–31 and 33
- The regulation under the Act, including the code of ethics and professional misconduct provisions
- PEO practice guidelines on the use of the seal and on the type of work involved
- Your professional liability insurer
Frequently Asked Questions
Can the complainant appeal if PEO does not refer the matter?
The complainant can ask the Complaints Review Councillor to review how the complaint was handled (s. 26(3)). The Councillor does not decide the merits.
Does an appeal pause a discipline order?
For incompetence, no: the order takes effect immediately unless the court orders otherwise. For other grounds, including professional misconduct, the order is generally paused until the appeal is resolved, unless the Discipline Committee orders otherwise to protect the public (s. 29).
What is the maximum fine?
Up to $5,000 under s. 28(4). Orders affecting your licence or Certificate of Authorization are usually the more serious consequences.
Sources
Statutory references are to the provisions listed below, as consolidated on e-Laws when this page was prepared.
- Professional Engineers Act, R.S.O. 1990, c. P.28, ss. 24–31, 33 — e-Laws consolidation period beginning January 1, 2025; checked November 10, 2026.