Regina company, man charged under foreign worker Act

Escalade Transportation Inc. and Hafiz Tariq Ayub have each been charged with three offences under The Foreign Worker Recruitment and Immigration Services Act, 2013, a provincial statute, not the Criminal Code. The alleged conduct took place at the company in Regina between November 2022 and August 2023.

According to a Saskatchewan government news release, the three charges fall under Section 22 of the Act. The charge under Section 22(a) alleges “producing or distributing false or misleading information.” The charge under Section 22(c) alleges misrepresenting employment opportunities, covering the job itself, its duties, how long it lasts, and pay and benefits. The charge under Section 22(g) alleges what the Act calls “taking unfair advantage of a foreign national’s fear or lack of experience or knowledge.”

The release does not describe any relationship between the company and Ayub.

The alleged conduct predates a legislative change. Saskatchewan replaced the 2013 Act with The Immigration Services Act on July 1, 2024. Because the alleged conduct happened before that law took effect, the charges were laid under the earlier Act. The province’s Program Compliance Branch, which handles complaints about immigration and foreign worker legislation, can be reached at 1-833-613-0485.

The accused are scheduled to appear in Regina provincial court on September 17. The charges are allegations only. Nothing has been proven in court.