CANADA, August 14 - Released on August 13, 2026

Following an investigation by Saskatchewan's Ministry of Immigration and Career Training, an employer has been convicted under The Foreign Worker Recruitment and Immigration Services Act, 2013 (FWRISA), marking the first conviction under Saskatchewan's former foreign worker protection legislation.

Dyan Jeny Enterprises, operating as Guac Mexi Grill in Moose Jaw, pleaded guilty at Provincial Court in Moose Jaw in relation to offences committed between August 2023 and February 2024.

The employer was convicted of charging a foreign worker a fee or expense for employment, contrary to section 23(5) of FWRISA. The court imposed a $5,000 fine, a $2,000 victim fine surcharge, and ordered $12,000 in restitution to the affected foreign worker.

The charges resulted from an investigation into allegations that a foreign worker was required to pay $12,000 to maintain employment, with continued employment being a condition of their pathway to permanent residence. Following a complaint to Saskatchewan's Ministry of Immigration and Career Training, an investigation was conducted that led to charges under FWRISA. The employer subsequently pleaded guilty to charging a foreign worker an employment-related fee.

The offences were prosecuted under FWRISA because they occurred before July 1, 2024. The Immigration Services Act, 2024, which repealed and replaced FWRISA significantly strengthened the province's compliance and enforcement framework. The new legislation now carries penalties of up to $750,000 for individuals and $1.25 million for corporations, as well as potential imprisonment of up to two years upon conviction.

The Ministry of Immigration and Career Training continues to work to protect foreign workers from exploitation through compliance activities, investigations, enforcement, and collaboration with partner agencies. Under the ISA, Saskatchewan has enhanced authorities to investigate immigration-related misconduct and hold non-compliant employers, recruiters, and consultants accountable.

Anyone with questions about the Immigration Services Act, concerns about their rights, or information regarding potential violations can contact the Ministry's Program Compliance Branch at [email protected] or 833-613-0485. Individuals do not require permission from an employer, recruiter, or consultant to contact the branch, and all information is kept confidential.

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