Restaurant has liquor license suspended: 'I am not satisfied that the appellant has taken the proper steps to protect the safety of its employees in the future'
An Ontario tribunal has upheld the indefinite suspension of an Oakville restaurant’s liquor licence after finding the business knowingly tolerated illegal employment practices that exploited vulnerable migrant workers and failed to ensure a safe workplace.
In a Dec. 19, 2025 decision — 1849428 Ontario Inc. o/a August 8 Oakville v. Registrar under the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario Act — Licence Appeal Tribunal adjudicator Rebecca Hines ruled it was “necessary in the public interest” to maintain the Immediate Suspension Order (ISO) imposed on the employer.
The restaurant is one of eight August 8 franchises in the Greater Toronto Area, employing about 300 people, and has held a liquor licence since 2013.
Hines’ ruling followed the arrest on June 11, 2025 of two senior kitchen employees — WL, the head chef, and RXY, the kitchen manager — who were charged with human trafficking involving three Mexican nationals employed as kitchen staff. They also face related charges, including benefiting from the proceeds of crime, while WL was additionally charged with sexual assault. Those criminal matters remain before the courts.
Although no criminal charges were laid against the owners, Hines emphasised that, from a regulatory and employment‑control standpoint,...
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