Contractor pleads guilty to 22 charges
Crown and defence agree on statement of facts in Fair Trading Act case
Calgary contractor and the former star of a home renovations TV show Bruce Hopkins will face a sentencing hearing in September in connection with charges under the Fair Trading Act.
Hopkins, 54, pleaded guilty Tuesday to 22 charges involving allegations he unlawfully entered into contracts by failing to comply with the requirements set out in the prepaid contracting business licensing regulation.
According to an agreed statement of facts provided by Crown prosecutor Tony Bell and defence lawyer Joel Chevrefils, Hopkins, through his company, The Remodelers Ltd., entered into nearly two dozen renovations contracts without providing sufficient details of services as required.
Both Hopkins and his company had faced 90 charges each under the Fair Trading Act. In December, 2015, Hopkins had said he was prepared to fight the charges.
“I understand Service Alberta had a job to do, and I understand they have to get … some kind of vindication for people’s losses,” Hopkins said in a phone interview.
“We will have our day with Service Alberta and their rush to judgment with regard to satisfying a perception in the public that they did their job.
“We are prepared to vigorously defend ourselves on these charges.”
Service Alberta launched an investigation a year ago after receiving complaints from 27 individuals who alleged that Hopkins had collected large sums of money for unfinished renovations or for projects that were never started, before the bankruptcy of his Calgary-based home renovation companies.
Hopkins could face up to two years in jail, or a significant financial penalty on the charges, which aren’t criminal offences.
I understand Service Alberta had a job to do, and I understand they have to get … some kind of vindication for people’s losses.