What Saskatchewan announced
On August 18, 2026 Saskatchewan announced that charges had been laid under The Foreign Worker Recruitment and Immigration Services Act, 2013 (FWRISA) and The Immigration Services Act (ISA). An individual and a numbered Saskatchewan company are each charged with eight offences, which the province says are alleged to have taken place at a Swift Current travel centre between September 2023 and August 2025.
The charges include, for each of the two laws, two counts of charging a foreign worker a fee or expense for employment and two counts of taking unfair advantage of a foreign national's trust, or exploiting a foreign national's fear or lack of experience or knowledge. The first court appearance was scheduled for August 19, 2026 at Provincial Court in Swift Current.
Charges are not a conviction
These are allegations. The announcement reports no finding of guilt, and the accused are presumed innocent unless the charges are proven in court. This case is separate from Saskatchewan's August 13 announcement about a different employer that pleaded guilty. The case does not change work permit or permanent residence eligibility.
What foreign workers should know
- Saskatchewan law prohibits charging a foreign worker a fee or expense for employment.
- It also prohibits taking unfair advantage of a foreign national's trust or exploiting their fear or lack of experience or knowledge.
- All workers in Saskatchewan, whether Canadian citizens or permanent or temporary residents, are protected by the employment standards and occupational health and safety provisions of The Saskatchewan Employment Act.
- You do not need anyone's permission to contact the province's Program Compliance Branch, and the province says all your information will be kept confidential.
Keeping evidence if you are asked to pay
- Keep the job offer, employment contract, pay statements and any immigration-support documents.
- Save messages, receipts, bank records and transfer records connected to any payment request.
- Write down dates, amounts, names and the exact promises or threats made.
- Do not alter or delete original messages, even if you prepare a translation or summary.
- If your safety is at risk or a crime may be involved, also contact the police or the appropriate emergency service.
How to report a concern in Saskatchewan
The Program Compliance Branch of the Ministry of Immigration and Career Training can be reached at 833-613-0485 (the number in the August 18 release) or through the contact link on the province's release if you have questions about the Immigration Services Act, believe your rights have been violated, or want to file a complaint about the immigration or recruitment process.
A complaint about an employer does not extend your immigration status or authorize continued work. If your permit may expire, your job has ended, or your permanent residence pathway depends on the job, review your federal status deadlines and options separately.