Before any digging can happen on an Ontario property, the owners have an important job to do, or they could face a fine. Under provincial law, anyone working on a project that includes digging into the ground, such as building a fence or deck, landscaping, planting a tree or larger excavation work, must first contact an entity that was formerly known as Ontario One Call to ensure all underground infrastructure is clearly marked out. That organization’s name has now changed to Ontario Dig Authority, but its mission remains the same: to serve as a communication link that protects people, property and essential underground infrastructure. Since May 2024, Ontario One Call has been able to fine businesses, homeowners and anyone else who decided to dig without following the proper process. Their new name better reflects their purpose. “If you want to dig in Ontario, you have to call us,” Ontario Dig Authority president and CEO Mitch Panciuk told CTV News on Wednesday at a ribbon cutting ceremony to mark the name change. “We make sure that anybody who owns underground infrastructure in the area you want to dig [in] comes out, identifies [the infrastructure], it might be with flags or with paint, and that way we can dig safely.” The process is known as a “public utility locate.” Penalties can range from a few hundred dollars for a failure to submit a request to thousands of dollars for starting an excavation or dig without a following the correct procedure, and those fines can increase with time. Both individuals and corporations can also face the hefty fines if they violate the law. “For example, if someone digs through a fibre optic cable and it shuts down a major commercial establishment, you may think it’s not a big deal, but they will be sued through our court process and they’ll be held liable for the damages,” Panciuk explained. While some homeowners’ insurance policies may cover the cost, not all of them will. More than one million calls were made to the Guelph-based authority last year. However, it also received 212 unsafe digging complaints from concerned bystanders in the Kitchener area alone. How does a public utility locate request work? To request a public utility locate from the Ontario Dig Authority, contractors, homeowners or companies that own underground infrastructure can either call 1-800-400-2255 or visit their website. Locates for a single address are typically completed within five days. Requests for projects that involve multiple properties can take 10 days or longer. Once the request is made, Ontario Dig Authority will reach out to anyone who owns buried infrastructure that could be impacted. Those infrastructure owners will then come to the property and clearly mark out where their lines are located. Once all the buried lines and cables have been safely outlined, owners can begin digging with the help of a complete locate package. The locates are valid for at least 60 days from the date the package is received. If the project changes, a new locate request must be submitted. The process is free. If a homeowner has hired a contractor to complete work on their property, Ontario Dig Authority suggests the contractor should make the request.
