A restaurant company in Moose Jaw has become the first to face conviction under Saskatchewan’s foreign worker protection laws, which have been recently strengthened with harsher 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 confirmed by the Ministry of Immigration and Career Training. These violations, occurring prior to July 1, 2024, were prosecuted under the former Foreign Worker Recruitment and Immigration Services Act, which has now been replaced by the Immigration Services Act.
The revised legislation has bolstered the province’s mechanisms for ensuring compliance and enforcement, as stated in the official announcement. The charges against Dyan Jeny Enterprises emerged from a ministry investigation following claims that the company demanded $12,000 from a foreign worker to secure their job, essential for their pursuit of permanent residency in Canada.
In a court ruling, the company was mandated to pay a $5,000 fine, a $2,000 victim fine surcharge, and $12,000 in restitution to the impacted worker. The updated Immigration Services Act, in effect since 2024, imposes penalties of up to $750,000 for individuals and $1.25 million for corporations, with the potential for a two-year imprisonment upon conviction.
The ministry emphasized that the revised legislation empowers Saskatchewan to investigate immigration-related wrongdoings and hold non-compliant employers, recruiters, and consultants responsible. Workers who feel their rights have been violated are urged to contact the ministry’s compliance branch confidentially via email at pcb@gov.sk.ca or by phone at 306-798-1350.