Behind every strong organization is a story of steady leadership, vision, and commitment, and at ION Facility Services, that story begins with our owner, Cristina Basco-Lain.
Long before the business officially began, Cristina’s path was already taking shape. In the late 1980s, she and her husband Peter worked overnight cleaning at Caravel, a facility that produced beef patties for McDonald's. The cleaning contract was held by Cristina’s father, giving her an early, hands-on introduction to the discipline, standards, and work ethic required in professional cleaning environments. Those overnight hours were more than just work, they were the foundation of what would eventually become their own business.
Cristina co-founded our sister company print shop (ImageOn Print) with Peter in 1990, starting with little more than determination, more long hours, and a belief in doing great work for good people. Over the years, she helped grow the business from a small local operation in Vaughan into a trusted name across the GTA. In 2008, they launched what would become our facility services division, extending that same care, quality, and reliability into a whole new industry. ION Facility Services now operates across Canada and the United States and has grown into a highly successful, trusted name in facility services.
As an immigrant to Canada, born in the Philippines, Cristina built her career from the ground up. She studied at Humber College and has brought that knowledge to every aspect of the business. Her journey reflects not just entrepreneurial spirit, but adaptability and a deep respect for community. She understands what it means to work hard for every opportunity, and that perspective continues to shape how our company treats clients, partners, and team members alike.
Although Cristina is often behind the scenes, she brings a people-first approach to leadership; quietly guiding decisions that support not just the bottom line, but also sustainability, inclusiveness, and a respectful work culture. In industries where female ownership is still rare, her presence is meaningful, not because it’s loudly announced, but because it’s lived every day through the values our company upholds.
Cristina leads with integrity, focus and care. She believes in building businesses that last, relationships that matter, and teams that feel supported and seen.
We’re very proud of our history, but even more proud of the leadership behind it. And while Cristina may not seek the spotlight, her impact continues to guide our path forward.
