A restaurant company in Moose Jaw has become the first to face conviction under Saskatchewan’s legislation protecting foreign workers. Dyan Jeny Enterprises, which operates as Guac Mexi Grill, admitted guilt in Moose Jaw provincial court for unlawfully charging a foreign worker employment-related fees between August 2023 and February 2024. The Ministry of Immigration and Career Training disclosed this development in a press release. These violations were prosecuted under the prior Foreign Worker Recruitment and Immigration Services Act since they occurred before July 1, 2024, when the act was replaced by the Immigration Services Act.

The introduction of the new legislation has bolstered the province’s oversight and enforcement mechanisms, as highlighted in the official statement. The charges against Dyan Jeny Enterprises stemmed from a ministry inquiry into allegations that the company had compelled a foreign worker to pay $12,000 to retain their job, crucial for the worker’s pursuit of permanent residency in Canada.

In response to the case, a judge mandated the company to pay a $5,000 fine, a $2,000 victim fine surcharge, and $12,000 in restitution to the impacted worker. The revamped Immigration Services Act, effective as of 2024, imposes penalties of up to $750,000 for individuals and $1.25 million for corporations, with the possibility of a two-year imprisonment term upon conviction.

According to the ministry, the Immigration Services Act furnishes Saskatchewan with enhanced tools to probe immigration-related transgressions and impose accountability on non-compliant employers, recruiters, and consultants. Workers who feel their rights have been infringed upon can discreetly reach out to the ministry’s compliance branch via email at pcb@gov.sk.ca or by calling 306-798-1350.