The owner of two shuttered Kingston retirement homes, Fairfield Manor West and Fairfield Manor East, is facing more than $200,000 in fines.
Muhammad Asif Qazi, the owner of Q. and Son’s Management, failed to appear in a Kingston court last week to answer to several fire-code related charges. Court documents show he was found guilty, fined and handed a six-month jail term for the offences. The court issued a warrant for his arrest as neither Qazi or a representative was there at the time. He also only has 15 days to pay his outstanding fines.
Global News has learned from court documents the accused faced a number of violations of the Fire Protection and Prevention Act. Problems at the retirement home included, failing to keep a fully charged fire extinguisher, ensuring staff were instructed in fire emergency protocol, failing to have a safety plan and more than 40 other offences.
Chief Fire Prevention Officer, Ted Posodowski says there were a number of other concerns they found in the homes.
Inspectors also say the accused knew of several of the violations, but failed to address them. Posodowski says Friday’s decision reflects the importance of complying to fire safety regulations.
“This conviction sends a strong message to the public on the importance of complying with the fire code,” says Posodowski. “This includes fire planning, making sure you have sufficient supervisory staff and ensuring they are trained.”
Before Qazi was forced to shut down the homes over fire safety concerns, he already had his licenses revoked for both Fairfield locations by the Retirement Home Regulatory Authority.
This was due to allegations of neglecting residents and not paying staff. The actions were taken after officials with the authority say there were a number of failed inspections.
Qazi was handed a court order after several inspections of the home, ordering him to refrain from neglecting residents.
This came after the regulatory body alleges they found, in some cases, medication was being improperly administered, causing at least one of its residents to be sent to hospital.
WATCH: Fairfield Manor East issued court order
Several employees also came forward to speak about lack of payment, lack of training and an unsafe work environment.
Reports say the owner was given ample time to comply with recommendations, but due to what they say was inaction, his licenses were taken away. Shutting down both locations forced dozens of families to find new homes for their loved ones.
Global News attempted to contact Qazi, but could not reach him. In the past, he has maintained he did nothing wrong and will fight allegations against him and his company.
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