OMVIC holds Hawkesbury Honda and general manager accountable for serious misconduct
- Published On
- October 28, 2026
- Category
A recent Discipline Tribunal decision reinforces an important message for Ontario’s motor vehicle sales industry: dealerships and their managers must take responsibility for maintaining professional, respectful workplaces.
On September 30, 2026, OMVIC’s Discipline Tribunal accepted a settlement involving Hawkesbury Honda and its general manager, Laurier Boucher, following failures to address workplace sexual harassment involving a former salesperson.
The decision resulted in $23,000 in combined fines and mandatory workplace training, demonstrating OMVIC’s commitment to pursuing accountability and protecting registered salespeople by holding dealerships and their leadership accountable when necessary.
OMVIC pursued meaningful accountability
The case involved inappropriate sexual comments directed at three registered salespeople by Benoit Charron, a former salesperson whose registration was revoked and was employed at Hawkesbury Honda. Two of the affected salespeople left the dealership following their experiences.
Although separate regulatory proceedings involving Charron ceased, OMVIC continued pursuing accountability through the discipline process against Hawkesbury Honda and Boucher, who was the dealership’s general manager and Person in Charge.
The Tribunal found that Hawkesbury Honda and Boucher breached multiple provisions of the Code of Ethics and accepted the following penalties and requirements:
- Hawkesbury Honda: A $20,000 fine.
- Laurier Boucher: A $3,000 personal fine.
- Management training: Boucher must complete workplace sexual harassment and violence prevention training offered by Western University.
- Employee training: Hawkesbury Honda must fund and ensure completion of workplace sexual harassment and violence prevention training for all its current salespeople.
The outcome demonstrates OMVIC’s determination to pursue meaningful regulatory action, even when circumstances change during a case. All fines and training requirements, including proof of completion, must be fulfilled within 90 days of the Tribunal’s order.
Dealers cannot ignore serious misconduct
Sexual harassment has no place in Ontario’s registered motor vehicle sales industry. Dealers have a responsibility to uphold professional standards and take appropriate action when serious concerns arise.
In this case, the Tribunal accepted agreed upon facts establishing that Hawkesbury Honda and Boucher failed to take reasonable steps to prevent the harassment. The agreed facts also established that concerns had been brought to the attention of dealership management and human resources, but appropriate action was not taken at that time.
Under section 6 (Accountability) and section 9 (Professionalism) of the Code of Ethics, registered dealers and salespeople must uphold professional standards. Dealers must ensure their salespeople comply with the Code, while all registrants are expected to act professionally and take steps to prevent unethical practices.
The lesson is clear: Dealers are responsible for ensuring workplaces are safe and respectful for all employees. Ignoring employee complaints can result in significant regulatory consequences.
Managers can be held personally accountable
Accountability does not stop with the dealership as a whole.
As Hawkesbury Honda’s general manager and Person in Charge, Boucher had responsibilities to ensure the dealership complied with its regulatory obligations. The Tribunal found that he did not meet those responsibilities. His $3,000 personal fine and mandatory employer training reinforce that leaders of a dealership can face individual consequences when professional standards are not upheld.
The training requirements imposed also extend beyond financial penalties. They require the dealership to take concrete steps to educate its salespeople and reinforce expectations for respectful workplace conduct. By holding dealerships and their managers responsible, OMVIC is working to protect registered salespeople, promote industry professionalism and support a fair and safe motor vehicle sales marketplace.
Inaction has consequences, and OMVIC will pursue accountability when professional standards are not upheld.