Under new labour laws introduced on March 20, Ontario employers convicted of withholding foreign workers’ passports or work permits could face the highest maximum fines in Canada.
“My message to those scumbags out there abusing migrant workers is this: you can run, but you can’t hide. We will find you, fine you, and put you behind bars,” Ontario Labour Minister Monte McNaughton said during a March 20 press conference.
Under the proposed Working for Workers Act, 2023 legislation, individuals convicted of taking possession of or retaining a foreign national’s passport or work permit could face either a fine of up to $500,000, up to 12 months’ imprisonment, or both. Corporations convicted could be fined up to $1 million….