[VIDÉO] Sale of heat pumps: duped by this fake construction contractor on Facebook

The heat pump company of a young entrepreneur from Repentigny is now on the blacklist of the Régie du logement du Québec (RBQ) for having falsified invoices, illegally awarded contracts and increased false advertising on its social networks.

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“The evidence shows that [sa compagnie] offers installation services for air conditioning and heating systems, on its website, on Facebook and on Instagram since 2021, despite the fact that the latter does not hold an RBQ license. […] This is an illegal act,” deplores the Régie, in a recent decision.

Emmanuel Richer Charbonneau is the owner of the company at number 9434-6517 Québec inc., better known under the names Soumission Climatisation and Charbonneau CVC. The 29-year-old Quebecer recently requested a construction contractor's license from the manager. The RBQ instead refused his request last week due to numerous “serious mistakes committed repeatedly” in the past.

“He falsely represented himself as a contractor using the license number of another contractor. […] Use of a license by a third party is illegal. This license belongs to the Régie. Its holder cannot in any way transfer or rent it,” criticizes the RBQ.

Video of the twenty-something with a client:

Bogus invoices

Emmanuel Richer Charbonneau also multiplied the lies on the social networks of his heat pump company, notes the Régie investigator.

“For example, we can read that the company has been offering services since 2015, or that it describes itself as a family business with three generations of experience,” he reveals, while specifying that the company was registered in… 2020.

Still according to the manager's decision, the twenty-year-old sent falsified invoices to the authorities to cover up his blunders. He tried, in vain, to obtain his construction contractor's license.

“Mr. Charbonneau is not credible. […] But in addition, these customers risked losing the government subsidy offered for the installation of their heat pump, which is subject to the obligation to award the contract to a contractor in good standing,” underlines the RBQ.

Drug problems

Emmanuel Richer Charbonneau explained to Journal that the majority of his problems with his business came from quarrels with his former business partner.

“I realized he had drug problems and I couldn't help him. The chicane blew and my partner became a burden for the company,” says Mr. Charbonneau, an electrician by training, vaguely.

The owner of Soumission Climatisation, who describes himself as “the champion of freshness” on his website, claims to have “made mistakes and learned his lesson” for the future. He admits to owing money to several clients, without specifying the number, for contracts never completed.

According to the Consumer Protection Office (OPC), at least one person has filed a complaint against this merchant. “The contractor would not have completed the work, even though it would have been fully paid, and would not have returned the client's calls,” we specify.