Charges Laid Against Regina Employer Under Provincial Immigration Legislation

CANADA, September 16 - Released on September 16, 2026

Charges have been laid against an employer for three offences under The Foreign Worker Recruitment and Immigration Services Act, 2013.

Escalade Transportation Inc. and Hafiz Tariq Ayub are each charged with three offences under Sections 22 of The Foreign Worker Recruitment and Immigration Services Act. The alleged offences took place between November 2022 and August 2023 at Escalade Transportation Inc. in Regina, Saskatchewan.

The accused are charged with: 

• Producing or distributing false or misleading information, as prohibited by section 22(a) of The Foreign Worker Recruitment and Immigration Services Act.
• Misrepresenting employment opportunities, including misrepresentations respecting position, duties, length of employment, wages and benefits or other terms of employment, as prohibited by section 22(c) of The Foreign Worker Recruitment and Immigration Services Act.
• Taking unfair advantage of a foreign national's fear or lack of experience or knowledge, as prohibited by section 22(g) of The Foreign Worker Recruitment and Immigration Services Act.

The accused will appear in Regina provincial court on September 17, 2026.

Saskatchewan proclaimed The Immigration Services Act on July 1, 2024, which replaced The Foreign Worker Recruitment and Immigration Services Act. The Immigration Services Act is the most comprehensive program integrity framework in the nation, including the highest fines for violation in the country. As the offences above occurred prior to the implementation of The Immigration Services Act, charges were laid under the former Act.

The Program Compliance Branch of the Ministry of Immigration and Career Training works to protect immigrants and foreign workers in Saskatchewan. Contact the Program Compliance Branch at [email protected] or call 1-833-613-0485 if you have questions about the legislative protections for newcomers, believe your rights have been violated, or want to file a complaint about the immigration or recruitment process. You do not need permission from anyone to contact the Program Compliance Branch, and all your information will be kept confidential.

While The Immigration Services Act and The Foreign Worker Recruitment and Immigration Services Act. specifically protect against the unique situations that immigrants and foreign workers may find themselves in, all employees whether Canadian citizens or permanent and temporary residents are protected by employment standards and occupational health and safety provisions within The Saskatchewan Employment Act.

-30-