Barrie men charged with fraud in OPP investigation into pool installation scam
Two Barrie men have been charged with fraud in connection with a lengthy OPP investigation after several customers seeking pool installations were allegedly scammed out of thousands of dollars.
Matthew Tayler, 46, and Jamie Galipeau, 47, are alleged to have defrauded more than 16 Sommerland Pools and Landscapes customers out of a combined $489,000.
Matthew Tayler (L) and Jamie Galipeau (R), of Sommerland Pools and Landscapes are pictured.
- Download the CTV News app to get local alerts on your device
- Get the latest local updates sent to your email inbox
Provincial police say the company is responsible for clients facing delays, restricted communication, and finding their backyards either in disarray or with work not even started.
Sommerland Pool and Landscaping customers allege the company took their deposit and never completed the work in their backyards. (Supplied)
Last August, several customers told CTV News the accused left them high and dry, offering more excuses than results. "He kind of said he was in dispute with his partner and that he didn't know when he could finish our jobs at that point," Dipesh Mistry said.
"I did not take the money and run," Tayler said in a phone interview with CTV News in August 2023. "I was responsible for operations. I did my part of the company till the funds went dry when Jamie had to step in."
Both men face 14 counts of fraud over $5,000 and 14 counts of obtaining by false pretences over $5,000.
The allegations against Sommerland Pools and Landscaping, Tayler, and Galipeau have not been tested in court.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Group tied to Islamic State plotted fatal Ontario restaurant shooting: Crown
A gunman who is accused of killing a young Ontario man and shooting four of his family members at their small Mississauga restaurant in 2021 was allegedly part of a trio who had pledged allegiance to the listed terrorist group Islamic State, a Crown attorney said in an opening statement in the Brampton murder trial this week.
Board orders deportation for trucker in horrific Humboldt Broncos crash
The truck driver who caused the horrific bus crash involving the Humboldt Broncos junior hockey team has been ordered to be deported.
Trudeau responds to American senators calling on Canada to increase defence spending
Stopping short of offering the assurance U.S. senators are seeking, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said his government is aware there's more work to do in order to see Canada meet NATO's defence spending target.
Italian teenage computer wizard set to become the first saint of the millennial generation
Pope Francis paved the way for the canonization of the first saint of the millennial generation on Thursday, attributing a second miracle to a 15-year-old Italian computer whiz who died of leukemia in 2006.
Top Russian military officials are being arrested. Why is it happening?
It began last month with the arrest of a Russian deputy defense minister. Then the head of the ministry’s personnel directorate was hauled into court. This week, two more senior military officials were detained. All face charges of corruption, which they have denied.
'A really bad car crash': Why health experts are raising concerns over surging syphilis cases
A sexually transmitted infection (STI) that was once thought to be a thing of the past is now a public health priority for North American doctors.
Morgan Spurlock, Oscar-nominated director of 'Super Size Me,' dies at 53
Documentary filmmaker Morgan Spurlock, an Oscar-nominee who made food and American diets his life's work, famously eating only at McDonald's for a month to illustrate the dangers of a fast-food diet, has died. He was 53.
Judge denies motion to dismiss indictment against Alec Baldwin in 'Rust' shooting case
A judge in New Mexico denied Alec Baldwin's motion to dismiss the involuntary manslaughter indictment against him in the 'Rust' fatal shooting case, connected to the 2021 death of the film's cinematographer, Halyna Hutchins.
Suspect sought in suspicious death in northern Ont.
Ontario Provincial Police in Cochrane are asking for the public’s help in locating a man they want to speak with in connection with a suspicious death.
Shopping Trends
The Shopping Trends team is independent of the journalists at CTV News. We may earn a commission when you use our links to shop. Read about us.
Kitchener
-
Purolator truck drivers from Guelph, Ont. save man walking in Hwy. 407 lanes
A pair of Purolator transport truck drivers from Guelph, Ont. are being hailed as heroes for their efforts in helping a person in crisis.
-
Five people taken to hospital and 26 displaced after Cambridge fire
Five people were taken to hospital, and more than two dozen forced from their homes, after flames tore through a Cambridge apartment building on Thursday night.
-
Waterloo Region businesses turn to Second Harvest to prevent food waste
Dozens of restaurants and coffee shops in Waterloo Region are making sure their untouched food gets it into the hands of people who need it most.
London
-
'God forgives but we don’t': Loud outburst from stabbing victim’s family during sentencing hearing
An emotional outburst in a London, Ont. courtroom Friday disrupted the sentencing hearing of a woman who pleaded guilty for her part the death of a 29-year-old Mohammed Abdallah.
-
'Their life still needs to be celebrated': Photographers sought to capture dying newborns with their families
Volunteers are needed for a London, Ont. group with a heartfelt mission. It consists of photographers who tastefully capture the final moments of dying newborn infants with their families.
-
'Not realistic': Saugeen Ojibway Nation may not vote on nuclear waste plan in 2024
The chiefs in charge of the Saugeen Ojibway Nation said their community will get to vote on whether or not they want Canada’s most radioactive waste buried in their territory.
Windsor
-
Court hears details from paramedics at scene in Windsor murder trial
Ryan Taylor, 35, has pleaded not guilty to one count of second-degree murder in the death of Thomas “TJ” McIntyre.
-
Plans for boutique hotel go up in smoke — for now
Fire crews in Windsor are working to put out a blaze at a former city bar. Crews were called to the scene of the former Champs bar in the area of Wyandotte Street and Parent Avenue on Friday morning.
-
Arrest warrant issued for Erie Street shooting suspect
Windsor police have issued an arrest warrant for a 23-year-old man who allegedly shot at a vehicle during a dispute on Erie Street East earlier this week.
Northern Ontario
-
Suspect sought in suspicious death in northern Ont.
Ontario Provincial Police in Cochrane are asking for the public’s help in locating a man they want to speak with in connection with a suspicious death.
-
Lack of services means at-risk youth in the north sleeping in hotels, Airbnbs
Dozens of young people in the care of the Children’s Aid Society will be going to sleep tonight in motels, hotels, and short-term rentals because there aren’t enough foster beds or treatment facilities.
-
Out-of-control fire rages southeast of Cobalt, Ont.
A now 134-hectare fire is burning three kilometres southeast of Cobalt near the east shore of Kerr Lake, the province’s Aviation, Forest Fire and Emergency Services says.
Sault Ste. Marie
-
Sault marks 70 yeas of Community Living Algoma
Dozens gathered at the steps of Sault Ste. Marie’s city hall Friday for a moment 70 years in the making.
-
Federal loan supports Sault apartment development
The federal government is providing a low-interest loan of $25 million for new rental units in downtown Sault Ste. Marie.
-
Northern Ont. police find dog hanging from a tree, owner charged with cruelty
A 39-year-old in Sault Ste. Marie has been charged with animal cruelty following a disturbing discovery in the city Thursday evening.
Ottawa
-
Community mourns victims of fatal boat crash near Kingston, Ont.
The three people killed in last weekend's tragic collision between a speedboat and a fishing boat north of Kingston are being remembered Friday.
-
Childhood cancer treatment inspires Ottawa woman's half-marathon fundraiser
Six months of hard work is about to pay off for Jill Barr as she gets ready to run her first half-marathon. She's one of thousands training for Tamarack Ottawa Race Weekend. For her, it's personal.
-
Convenience store owners in Ottawa Valley ready for alcohol sales
Local convenience store owners say they have been waiting and are ready for beer, wine, and mixed drinks to begin lining their shelves.
Toronto
-
Group tied to Islamic State plotted fatal Ontario restaurant shooting: Crown
A gunman who is accused of killing a young Ontario man and shooting four of his family members at their small Mississauga restaurant in 2021 was allegedly part of a trio who had pledged allegiance to the listed terrorist group Islamic State, a Crown attorney said in an opening statement in the Brampton murder trial this week.
-
Pedestrian critically injured after collision downtown: Toronto police
An elderly pedestrian was rushed to hospital in life-threatening condition after a collision in the city’s downtown core.
-
Ford thanks Ottawa as minister cites 'deep concerns' over Toronto's decriminalization
Ontario Premier Doug Ford is thanking the federal government for rejecting Toronto's long-stalled pitch to decriminalize the possession of illegal drugs.
Montreal
-
Montreal cyclists continue to skirt rules despite 4-year-old getting hit
Ten days after a four-year-old girl was struck by a cyclist while crossing Jeanne Mance Street in Montreal's Plateau borough, another video was posted showing multiple cycling infractions on the same stretch of road.
-
Man who escaped from prison in Quebec may be in Ontario
A warrant has been issued for 32-year-old Yacine Zouaoui, who went unaccounted for at the minimum security Federal Training Centre.
-
Helicopters, impersonations and squeezing through the fence: a brief history of Quebec prison escapes
Friday's warrant for prison inmate Yacine Zouaoui, 32, is the latest in hundreds of reported prison breaks in Quebec. Sometimes, they just walked away; sometimes they went through a fence, and twice they used a helicopter.
Atlantic
-
'We're focused on fairness': Federal government to cover the costs of contraception, diabetes medications
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau was in Truro, N.S., Friday to announce the federal government will cover the costs of contraception and diabetes medications for Canadians.
-
Elementary school worker charged with sexual offences involving children in Lunenburg, N.S.
RCMP in Lunenburg, N.S., has charged a male elementary school worker with sexual offences involving four children after a lengthy investigation which began in October 2023.
-
Sarah McLachlan announces tour stops in Halifax, Moncton
Grammy and Juno-award winning artist Sarah McLachlan will return to her hometown of Halifax this fall during the Canadian leg of her latest tour.
Winnipeg
-
Rain, snow hit parts of southern Manitoba as system moves north from the U.S.
Parts of southern Manitoba have been hit by a lot of rain, and even snow, as a low-pressure system moves in from the United States.
-
Scott Arniel promoted from associate to head coach of the Winnipeg Jets
Scott Arniel came to Winnipeg in 2022 to join the staff of new head coach Rick Bowness. Two years later, he is replacing his former boss as the Jets' leader behind the bench.
-
Manitoba RCMP shoot and kill man allegedly assaulting woman in car
A 51-year-old man was fatally shot by RCMP on a Manitoba highway Friday morning.
Calgary
-
MRU prof calls out institution for lack of action against anti-Semitism on campus
Months after a troubling encounter on the Mount Royal University campus, which ended in a criminal charge against a protester, a professor is calling out the institution for not doing more to provide a safe environment for Jewish faculty and students.
-
Humboldt Broncos crash victims and families react to decision to deport truck driver
The family of one of the victims of the Humboldt Broncos bus crash in 2018 says they are 'thankful' for a decision by a Calgary immigration board to deport the driver of the truck involved.
-
Anti-UCP protests planned across Alberta this weekend
Rallies are planned in eight cities and towns across Alberta on Saturday to protest the United Conservative Party.
Edmonton
-
Edmonton teen murder victim was fatally stabbed, autopsy shows
A 15-year-old boy who was killed in Edmonton earlier this week was fatally stabbed, an autopsy has confirmed, and his death has been deemed a homicide.
-
Statutory release revoked for man guilty in Thorsby gas owner's death
Mitchell Sydlowski is back in prison after being accused of assaulting his girlfriend while intoxicated while on parole.
-
Humboldt Broncos crash victims and families react to decision to deport truck driver
The family of one of the victims of the Humboldt Broncos bus crash in 2018 says they are 'thankful' for a decision by a Calgary immigration board to deport the driver of the truck involved.
Regina
-
Human remains found in Canora, Sask.
An investigation us underway after RCMP say human remains were found in the town of Canora about 50 kilometres north of Yorkton.
-
Jeremy Harrison resigns as Sask. Gov't House Leader over allegations he brought gun to legislature
Sask. Party member Jeremy Harrison says he will resign as Government House Leader, revealing he brought a gun into the legislative building a decade ago.
-
Board orders deportation for trucker in horrific Humboldt Broncos crash
The truck driver who caused the horrific bus crash involving the Humboldt Broncos junior hockey team has been ordered to be deported.
Saskatoon
-
Board orders deportation for trucker in horrific Humboldt Broncos crash
The truck driver who caused the horrific bus crash involving the Humboldt Broncos junior hockey team has been ordered to be deported.
-
Saskatoon police investigating after two people stabbed on city bus
Saskatoon police are investigating after a 20-year-old man and a 15-year-old girl were stabbed on a city bus Thursday night.
-
Human remains found in Canora, Sask.
An investigation us underway after RCMP say human remains were found in the town of Canora about 50 kilometres north of Yorkton.
Vancouver
-
Opening dates for new Pattullo Bridge, Broadway Subway delayed again
Two major infrastructure projects in Metro Vancouver have fallen further behind schedule, the provincial government announced Friday.
-
IIO investigating after police vehicle hits cyclist on Vancouver Island
British Columbia's police oversight agency is investigating after a police vehicle struck a cyclist on Vancouver Island earlier this week.
-
No Lionel Messi at BC Place, but lots of other things to see and do in Vancouver this weekend
Soccer fans won't have a chance to see arguably the greatest player of all time at BC Place this weekend, after all, but there's still lots happening in Vancouver as May comes to a close.
Vancouver Island
-
IIO investigating after police vehicle hits cyclist on Vancouver Island
British Columbia's police oversight agency is investigating after a police vehicle struck a cyclist on Vancouver Island earlier this week.
-
Video shows pepper spray attack in Victoria as youth suspects sought
The Victoria Police Department is looking for help identifying three youths involved in an attack on two individuals on the 600-block of Yates Street in downtown Victoria.
-
Michael Stipe photo of Kurt Cobain sets personal record at Vancouver auction
Before Michael Stipe was known the world over as the lead singer and lyricist for the multimillion-selling rock band R.E.M., he was taking pictures. And while his outsized music career has since overshadowed his visual pursuits, the 64-year-old set a personal sales record earlier this month at a private art auction in Vancouver.
