Three Saskatchewan employers have been charged with violating immigration protection laws in a case that the province says is the first time charges were laid under provincial legislation.
Kartikkumar Prakashkumar Patel, Rutvik Hasmukhbhai Patel and Piyushkumar Mafatbhai Patel face three charges under the Foreign Worker Recruitment and Immigration Services Act.
They are accused of charging foreign workers a fee for employment, taking unfair advantage of a foreign national’s trust or exploiting their fear, and taking action or threatening to take action against a foreign worker for participating in an investigation or making a complaint.
The alleged offences took place between August 2023 and February 2024 at Guac Mexi Grill in Moose Jaw, Sask. The three accused are scheduled to appear in Moose Jaw provincial court on Nov. 25.
The province's foreign worker act has been replaced by the Immigration Services Act, which came into effect in July 2024, but because the alleged offences occurred before then, charges were filed under the older legislation.
Drew Wilby, deputy minister for Immigration and Career Training, said the prosecution is “the first of its kind in Canada under a provincial statute,” adding Saskatchewan’s new compliance model is built on education, intervention and enforcement.
He said the new act provides tougher penalties for employers or recruiters who exploit foreign workers and gives more authority to enforcement officers.
Wilby said the province’s program...
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