Rémi Lhomme expressed optimism about his prospects when he joined a travel startup in Calgary in the spring of 2024. Initially, he saw it as a promising opportunity to build his career from scratch alongside the company. Kanopii, positioning itself as a disruptive force in the global online travel agency sector, gradually turned sour for Lhomme and his colleagues as their paychecks became irregular and eventually ceased by the end of the year.
Unbeknownst to Lhomme, Kanopii was not the first venture founded by its CEO, Ifeanyi Daniels-Akunekwe, that left employees grappling with financial instability. A government order in Alberta indicates that Kanopii owes Lhomme a sum of $14,001.56. CBC News uncovered multiple ex-employees who claim they are collectively owed tens of thousands of dollars by Kanopii. The public registry of employers in Alberta shows that Kanopii has outstanding payments exceeding $152,000.
Daniels-Akunekwe, the company’s founder and CEO, declined an interview but defended Kanopii’s intentions in an email response, denying any fraudulent activities. He attributed the company’s struggles to unforeseen banking hurdles and delays in investor funding, leading to disruptions in meeting financial obligations.
Prior to the turmoil at Kanopii, 3volution Homes Group Inc., another business by Daniels-Akunekwe, left homebuyers in northeast Edmonton burdened with mortgages for unbuilt homes. A CBC News investigation from 2023 revealed canceled building permits and outstanding debts totaling over $180,000. Currently, 3volution is listed as owing more than $80,000 in various payments.
Despite the controversies surrounding his previous ventures, Daniels-Akunekwe has ventured into new business endeavors. Legal experts like Calgary employment lawyer Sarah Coderre explain the challenges of holding individuals accountable for company failures due to the concept of the corporate veil. This legal doctrine separates a corporation’s liabilities from its owners, making it complex to attribute personal responsibility for business failures.
Numerous legal actions have been initiated against Kanopii and 3volution, with ongoing efforts to seek justice and recover outstanding dues. Alberta’s Ministry of Jobs, Economy, Trade and Immigration emphasized the importance of enforcing employment standards to ensure fair working conditions and urged individuals to pursue collection of owed funds, either independently or through government assistance. The process involves intricate legal mechanisms, including demands for payment from third parties, to aid in recovering lost wages.
The ministry acknowledged the frustration faced by employees when payments are not received and reiterated its commitment to facilitating the recovery of funds through available legislative tools. Despite the complexities involved, every effort is made to assist individuals in recouping their earnings.