‘August 8’ will stay alcohol-free after a provincial tribunal decided that the owners did not adequately supervise their staff in light of serious criminal allegations.
OAKVILLE – An Ontario tribunal has confirmed the permanent suspension of a liquor licence for an Oakville restaurant, ruling that human trafficking accusations against its employees made it unsafe to restore the licence.
The Licence Appeal Tribunal denied an appeal from sushi spot August 8 Oakville, stating that it was in the public interest to keep the restaurant’s liquor licence suspended.
The Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO) issued an immediate suspension order on Oct. 10, 2025, after police investigated alleged human trafficking at the establishment.
Two senior kitchen workers, Rong Xi Yu and Wenjun Li, were arrested in June and charged with human trafficking, profiting from crime, and related offences. Li also faces charges of sexual assault.
Read more here: Sushi restaurant investigation leads to labour trafficking charges
All charges are still pending in court.
Adjudicator Rebecca Hines stated that the restaurant’s owners, Jie Ning Rong, Jie Hua Rong, and Yu Tang, failed to maintain proper control over their business and staff as required by Ontario’s liquor licensing regulations.
“The respondent has proven on a balance of probabilities that it is necessary in the public interest to uphold the suspension,” Hines noted in her decision.
During the hearing held in November 2025, Toronto Police Detective Constable Paul Cavan testified that three Mexican nationals were recruited via a Facebook ad and worked at August 8 Oakville as kitchen staff. The workers supposedly agreed to pay (between $14 to $16 per hour, with $18 for overtime), three meals daily, and accommodation.
Allegedly paid under-the-table cash payments forced them “to work long hours-sometimes up to 18 days straight without time for meals.”
Cavan also indicated that these workers lived in cramped quarters described as a room split into three sections made of plywood with holes in it; they had just a mattress on the floor and no locks on their door.
Testimony revealed claims of physical and emotional abuse endured by these workers. One individual reportedly suffered sexual assault. Their vulnerability stemmed from lacking legal work status in Canada along with limited financial means, according to Cavan’s statements.
Investigators discovered $62,254 cash at the restaurant alongside $37,900 found at Rong Xi Yu’s home.
Even though criminal proceedings are ongoing and there’s no evidence tying owners directly to human trafficking found by police, the tribunal recognized that such serious allegations raised significant public safety concerns.
<p datend=2334″I find that the owner of appellant [August 8 Oakville] should have known what was happening on their premises,” Hines wrote. “I find that owner had an obligation to ensure their management operated within legal parameters.”
The restaurant argued against what they deemed disproportionate measures by highlighting its clean record since acquiring its liquor license back in 2013. They also mentioned dismissing accused employees while introducing mandatory training on workplace safety along with anti-violence/harassment protocols for all staff members.
data_end=2603, data_start=2357>The owner Jie Ning Rong claimed he now visits his establishment much more frequently-around four times weekly instead of two or three times annually. p >
data_end=2816, data_start=2605>However, the tribunal identified issues within this response. Hines pointed out evidence indicating one accused employee continued working at another August 8 location despite owners publicly announcing his termination.” p >
data_end=2816, data_start =2605>”I find RXY’s [Rong Xi Yu] maintenance tasks irrelevant compared with what was stated publicly regarding his termination,” Hines added.”To me, RXY’s ongoing presence illustrates how seriously this establishment took allegations surrounding him.” p >
data_end =2816, data_start =2605>Moreover, Hines remarked upon pre-existing mandatory training prior arrests which lacked updates addressing workplace safety afterwards.”When reviewing policies, it became unclear who employees ought report incidents involving harassment or violence,”she said.
data_end =2816, data_start =2605>”Mr. Rong seemed unaware concerning these policies showing little real concern over ensuring future safety among employees,”Hines commented.
data_end =2970, data_start =2818>The adjudicator expressed worries about illegal employment practices, such as hiring undocumented individuals while making cash payments below minimum wage which resulted benefiting company financially yet leaving workers vulnerable exploitation.
data_end =3080, data_start =2972>In response, A lawyer representing Augst8, Sabatina Vassali shared disappointment toward ruling explaining “despite running successfully without infractions related liquour license throughout twelve years business operation.”
Vassali asserted “Individuals facing charges aren’t ownership figures but rather employees. The adjudicator acknowledged foreign hires applied via Facebook being hired believed was managed owned.”Vassali insisted those charged aren’t connected ownership alongside law enforcement discovering no implicating evidence proving otherwise concerning human trafficking.“August Eight regrets alleged mistreatment faced by laborers having particular empathy toward newcomers themselves once experiencing same circumstances. Now employing over three hundred people across eight restaurants,”she concluded.“On corporate front already implementing measures improving oversight enhancing HR policies employee training programs making rights protections clear,” she added further clarifying determination collaborating AGCO until reinstatement becomes feasible.” мп >Source link а >
