A company in Moose Jaw has become the first to receive a conviction under Saskatchewan’s foreign worker protection laws, which have been recently strengthened with tougher penalties. Dyan Jeny Enterprises, known as Guac Mexi Grill, admitted guilt in Moose Jaw provincial court for unlawfully charging a foreign worker for employment expenses between August 2023 and February 2024, as announced by the Ministry of Immigration and Career Training.
The company’s actions fell under the former Foreign Worker Recruitment and Immigration Services Act since the offenses occurred before July 1, 2024, before it was replaced by the Immigration Services Act. The updated legislation has bolstered the province’s mechanisms for ensuring compliance and enforcement, as highlighted in the official statement.
The charges against Dyan Jeny Enterprises stemmed from an investigation into claims that the company demanded $12,000 from a foreign worker to keep their job, crucial for their Canadian permanent residency application. As part of the legal repercussions, the company was mandated to pay a $5,000 fine, a $2,000 victim fine surcharge, and $12,000 in restitution to the impacted employee.
The new Immigration Services Act, effective from 2024, introduces harsh penalties of up to $750,000 for individuals and $1.25 million for corporations, with the possibility of imprisonment for up to two years upon conviction. The ministry underscored that under the ISA, Saskatchewan has expanded its authority to probe immigration-related misconduct and hold non-compliant employers, recruiters, and consultants responsible.
Workers who feel their rights have been infringed upon can securely reach out to the ministry’s compliance branch via email at pcb@gov.sk.ca or by phone at 306-798-1350.