Three people have been charged under The Foreign Worker Recruitment and Immigration Services Act, 2013 (FWRISA). It’s the first time such charges have been laid in the province.

The Saskatchewan government says the alleged offences took place between August 2023 and February 2024 at Guac Mexi Grill in Moose Jaw.

The co-accused are charged with take action against, or threaten to take action against a foreign worker for participating in an investigation or proceeding by any government or law enforcement agency or for making a complaint to any government or law enforcement agency; take unfair advantage of a foreign national’s trust or exploit a foreign national’s fear or lack of experience or knowledge; and being an employer charge a foreign worker a fee or expense for employment.

Kartikkumar Prakashkumar Patel, Rutvik Hasmukhbhai Patel and Piyushkumar Mafatbhai Patel are each charged with three offences and will appear in Moose Jaw Provincial Court on November 25th.

Saskatchewan proclaimed The Immigration Services Act, 2024 on July 1, 2024, which replaced FWRISA. The government says the new Act is the most comprehensive program integrity framework in the nation, including the highest fines for violation in the country. However, the alleged offences occurred prior to the implementation of the ISA so charges were laid under the former Act.