Non-compliance with Ottawa’s TFW program could mean fines, bans on hiring such employees
A worker pushes carts back into a Canadian Tire store at 175 Vetiver Drive in Etobicoke, Toronto on Oct. 1.The owner of a Canadian Tire store in Toronto is being investigated by the provincial and federal governments for allegedly mistreating and financially exploiting employees hired through Ottawa ’s Temporary Foreign Worker Program .
A spokesperson with Ontario’s Ministry of Labour, Training, Immigration and Skills Development confirmed to The Globe that the province is investigating Ezhil Natarajan, who owns and operates a Canadian Tire store in Etobicoke, which comprises Toronto’s west end. “We are deeply concerned by the allegations that have been raised,” the statement said. “It is important to note that each Canadian Tire store is independently owned and operated by a dealer, who is responsible for their own hiring, staffing and HR practices.”
Deena Ladd, the executive director of the Workers Action Centre, a non-profit organization that helps predominantly low-wage immigrant workers, says the closed work permit structure of the program allows the employer to have significant control over the worker. “It creates the conditions for a range of bad behaviours,” she said.
Rowell Pailan arrived in Canada from Saudi Arabia in January, 2023. He is originally from the Philippines but worked for 16 years as a store supervisor in retail chains across Riyadh. He says a friend told him about Allison Jones, saying it would process his “I was never introduced as a supervisor. I was told to work in the hardware department of the store as a sales staff,” he said.
The Globe is not identifying him because he was not authorized by his current employer to speak with the media.$27 an hour. He, too, says he paid Allison Jones US$7,900 to process his temporary work permit. it, Mr. Natarajan tells the workers a story of another temporary foreign worker whom he had terminated within six days of hiring. “He fired himself because he did not do what he was supposed to do. I noticed some of you, at least two or three of you, have started slowing down,” he says. “If the trend continues … you might end up losing your job, which I don’t want to.”
“The illegality arises when the recruiter or the employer is charging the employee for the provision of services related to an LMIA,” she said.
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