Licence Appeal Tribunal File Number: 17911/LLCA
In the matter of an appeal under Section 13(2) of the Liquor Licence and Control Act, 2019, S.O. 2019, c. 15, Sch. 22 (the “Act”) from an immediate suspension order of a licence.
Between:
1849428 Ontario Inc. o/a August 8 Oakville
Appellants
And
Registrar, Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario Act, 2019
Respondent
DECISION
ADJUDICATOR:
Rebecca Hines
APPEARANCES:
For the Appellant:
Sabatina Vassali, Counsel
Junjun Xia, Counsel
For the Respondent:
Tim Edwards, Counsel
Adam West, Counsel
Interpreter:
Wing Tang, Cantonese Language
Heard by videoconference:
November 19 and 20, 2025
OVERVIEW
11849428 Ontario Inc. o/a August 8 Oakville (“August 8”) (the “appellant”) appeals the Immediate Suspension Order (“ISO”) of its liquor licence, issued by the Registrar, Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario Act, 2019, (the “respondent”) under the Liquor Licence and Control Act, 2019, S.O. 2019, c. 15, Sch. 22 (the “Act”), on October 10, 2025. The ISO suspended the appellant’s liquor licence indefinitely.
2Jie Ning Rong, Jie Hua Rong and Yu Tang are equal owners and directors of the appellant. These individuals own and operate eight August 8 franchises in the greater Toronto area, which employs approximately three hundred people.
3The appellant has held a liquor licence since February 6, 2013.
4On June 11, 2025, two employees WL, Head Chef, and RXY, Kitchen Manager of August 8 were arrested and charged by police with human trafficking of three Mexican nationals (the alleged “victims”) who were employed as kitchen staff with the appellant. There were numerous additional criminal charges flowing from this including benefiting financially from the proceeds of crime. WL was also charged with sexual assault. These charges are still pending before the court.
5On October 10, 2025, following an Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO) investigation, the respondent issued the ISO.
6This matter proceeded to a one and a half-day videoconference hearing. The following people testified on behalf of the respondent: Detective Constable Paul Cavan, Stana Gavric and Taylor Small, Inspectors with the AGCO and Rebecca Castillo, AGCO Senior Manager Liquor Licence Eligibility. Jie Ning