Amid increasing scrutiny on the use of Canada’s temporary foreign worker program, the total dollar amount of fines imposed on employers who are found to violate the terms of the program has risen dramatically. Catherine Connelly is a professor of human resources and management at McMaster University in Hamilton, Ont., who has studied the temporary foreign worker program. But she says large fines may catch the attention of companies that are using the program. Meanwhile, the number of employers applying to use the temporary foreign worker program has dropped in the last two years, according to recent numbers released by the federal government. Other Atlantic Canadian companies that received large fines in 2025 included Cape John Crabs and Seafoods of River John, N.S., which received a $257,000 fine and 10-year program ban.

Source: CBC News February 19, 2026 16:03 UTC