Dutchie’s accused of 14 new Employment Standards Act violations

Dutchie’s Fresh Market and its business director, Michael Renkema, are facing more violations. CTV’s Jeff Pickel reports.

A Kitchener, Ont. grocer is facing new Employment Standard Act (ESA) orders.

According to a document from the Ontario Labour Relations Board (OLRB), 14 new ESA violations were filed by former employees of Dutchies Fresh market.

CTV News previously reported that Dutchie’s and its business director, Michael Renkema, racked up more than 70 ESA violations and orders to pay employees and contractors since 2018.

In December 2024, Renkema pleaded guilty to 13 offences for failing to comply with an order or direction from the Ministry of Labour.

Almost one year later, in November 2025, several employees named in the OLRB decision told CTV News about allegedly difficult working conditions at the store. Some people said they were still owed several thousand dollars in backpay. Dutchie’s closed its last store on Nov. 1, 2025.

Included in the OLRB decision were two numbered companies operated by Ken Renkema. He’s the brother of Michael Renkema and current owner of JR’s Country Fresh Market, a grocery store at 352 Governors Road East north of Brantford.

A business entity called “1001115733 Ontario Inc.” purchased a property at 352 Governors Road East in March 2025 for $1.48 million. Public records show “1001115733 Ontario Inc.” is operated by Ken Renkema.

He’s also listed as the business director of “1001101649 Ontario Inc.,” for a company named SQUIRRELY WHIRLIE. Public records show SQUIRRELY WHIRLIE is a fruit and vegetable market located at 352 Governors Road East in Brantford.

JR’s Country Fresh Market first opened its doors on Aug. 28, 2025.

The OLRB decision did not say why the corporations operated by Ken Renkema were included in the latest orders.

CTV News reached out to the Ministry of Labour, but they did not share any additional information.

Asking for a review

A document, dated March 27, 2026, asked for a review of the 14 new ESA orders. For the review to proceed, the applicant must transfer funds which are then placed in a trust.

According to the decision, the applicant was unable to pay despite being granted several extensions by the OLRB.

“The applicant asks for a further extension of time in which to pay the required funds into trust,” it said. “Specifically, it asks for an extension until April 25, 2026, in which to pay the first installment of ‘at least $25,000.00,’ and until May 16, 2026, to pay $35,000.00 due to ‘several’ unspecified ‘financial limitations.’”

It continued: “The balance of the submissions dated March 25 and 26, 2026 purport to outline what the applicant says are the ‘lies’ in the various claims and certain allegations about the conduct of the investigation, which it says require investigation by the board.”

The application was then abandoned or dismissed.

CTV News reached out to both Michael and Ken Renkema for comment but did not receive a response on record.

Three of the former employees named in the OLRB decision were also contacted. All three said they have not received the money owed to them by Dutchie’s.