A director of six Ontario companies that failed to pay employees has been sentenced to 90 days in jail for violating the Employment Standards Act.

The Ontario Court of Justice also ordered Steven Blondin to pay fines of $280,000.

It’s an unusual case that will send a message to Ontario employers, experts say.

“It sends two messages,” said Rick Powers, professor at the Rotman School of Management at the University of Toronto.

“First, that the system works and secondly, that the courts, certainly in this instance, are not going to accept this type of behaviour.”

Between March 2007 and October 2009, 61 employees from six companies operated by Blondin filed claims with the Ministry of Labour for unpaid wages, according to court documents filed in the case.

The ministry investigated and found that wages were owed to all 61 employees.

Between February 2008 and April 2010, an employment standards officer issued 113 orders to the six companies and Blondin to pay over $125,000. No payments were made.

In October, 2011, Blondin and each company pleaded guilty to failing to comply with the ministry's orders.

The sentence was handed down Nov. 1 by Justice Vladimir Bubrin in Toronto.

The total fine covers wages owing as well as a 25 per cent victim fine surcharge, as required by the Provincial Offences Act, the ministry said.

The six companies owned and operated by Blondin include Steven’s Inc. of Orangeville, Axcea International Inc. of Toronto, Automotive Containment Solutions Inc. of Concord, Automotive CSI Inc. of Richmond Hill, Automotive CSI – Alliston Inc., and Automotive CSI – Newmarket Inc.

It is unclear whether the companies are still operating.

“This sentence serves as a warning to those who believe they are above the law,” Minister of Labour Linda Jeffrey said in a release issued Thursday.

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“Our government is committed to ensuring that all Ontarians are treated fairly at work, and we will continue to help ensure that Ontarians know their rights and responsibilities.”

“This is pretty huge. It’s not very often that someone is sentenced to jail,” said Joy Vas, a certified human resources consultant in St. Catharines, Ont.