A business proprietor is currently facing legal charges in connection with the suspected mistreatment of a foreign worker at the Swift Current Husky Travel Centre. Located in southwest Saskatchewan, Swift Current is approximately 225 kilometers west of Regina. According to a press release issued by the provincial Ministry of Immigration and Career Training on Tuesday, the alleged infractions transpired over a nearly two-year period, spanning from September 2023 to August 2025.
The employer and a numbered company have collectively faced eight charges under the foreign worker protection laws of the province. Both have been accused of soliciting payment for employment and exploiting the trust or fear of a foreign worker, taking advantage of their vulnerability or lack of information.
These charges were filed under the Foreign Worker Recruitment and Immigration Services Act, with additional allegations under the Immigration Services Act, which superseded the former legislation in 2024. The legislation is designed to safeguard immigrants and foreign workers from particular circumstances they may encounter, as highlighted in the news release.
To enhance protection for foreign workers, Saskatchewan enacted the Immigration Services Act, which permits fines of up to $750,000 for an individual employer and $1,250,000 for a corporation upon conviction. Among the prohibitions stipulated by the law are charging foreign workers for job opportunities, retaining their passports or work permits, concealing information relevant to their immigration applications, or making deportation threats.
The first court appearance for this case is slated for Wednesday in Swift Current.