Key Takeaways
- ECEs: $2,000. Teachers, social workers, vets, engineers, architects: $5,000.
- Dealers and condo managers: $25,000. Health professions: $35,000.
- Real estate and home builders: $50,000 individual, $100,000 business.
- Law Society: $100,000. CPA Ontario: no statutory cap.
The Comparison
| Regime | Maximum | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Early childhood educators | $2,000 | ECE Act, s. 33(5) |
| Teachers; social workers; veterinarians; engineers; architects | $5,000 | OCT s. 30(5); SWSSW s. 26(5); Vet s. 30(5); PEA s. 28(4); Architects Act s. 34 |
| Dealers; condo managers | $25,000 | MVDA s. 17(4); CMSA s. 58(4) |
| Health professions | $35,000 | Code, s. 51(2) |
| Real estate; new-home builders | $50,000 / $100,000 | TRESA s. 21(4); NHCLA s. 57(4.1) |
| Lawyers and paralegals; pharmacies | $100,000 | LSA s. 35(1); DPRA s. 140(3.1) |
| CPAs | No statutory cap | CPA Act, s. 35(4) |
Reading the Numbers
Low caps usually mean licence orders, not fines, are the main sanction. Higher caps in business regimes reflect the commercial context. Costs orders can add significantly to the total.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are fines the same as administrative penalties?
No. Administrative penalties are separate tools, often imposed without a hearing.
Where do fines go?
It depends on the statute. Health college fines are paid to the Minister of Finance (Code, s. 51(2)); RECO fines are paid to the administrative authority (TRESA, s. 21(3)).
Sources
Statutory references are to the provisions listed below, as consolidated on e-Laws when this page was prepared.
- Early Childhood Educators Act, 2007, s. 33 — Checked November 10, 2026.
- Ontario College of Teachers Act, 1996, s. 30 — Checked November 10, 2026.
- Social Work and Social Service Work Act, 1998, s. 26 — Checked November 10, 2026.
- Veterinarians Act, s. 30 — Checked November 10, 2026.
- Professional Engineers Act, s. 28 — Checked November 10, 2026.
- Motor Vehicle Dealers Act, 2002, s. 17 — Checked November 10, 2026.
- Health Professions Procedural Code (RHPA, Sched. 2), s. 51 — Checked November 10, 2026.
- Trust in Real Estate Services Act, 2002, s. 21 — Checked November 10, 2026.
- New Home Construction Licensing Act, 2017, s. 57 — Checked November 10, 2026.
- Law Society Act, s. 35 — Checked November 10, 2026.
- Chartered Professional Accountants of Ontario Act, 2017, s. 35 — Checked November 10, 2026.