MOOSE JAW — A Moose Jaw employer has been fined and ordered to repay $12,000 to a foreign worker in what the Saskatchewan government says is the province’s first conviction under its former foreign worker protection legislation.
Dyan Jeny Enterprises, which operates Guac Mexi Grill in Moose Jaw, pleaded guilty in provincial court on Aug. 11 to charging a foreign worker a fee or expense for employment, contrary to the Foreign Worker Recruitment and Immigration Services Act, 2013 (FWRISA).
The company was fined $5,000, along with a $2,000 victim fine surcharge, and was ordered to pay $12,000 in restitution to the affected worker.
According to the Ministry of Immigration and Career Training, the case stemmed from allegations that the foreign worker was required to pay $12,000 to maintain their employment, with continued employment being a condition of their pathway to permanent residence.
The worker filed a complaint with the ministry, prompting an investigation that ultimately resulted in charges.
The offences occurred between August 2023 and February 2024.
In October 2025, the provincial government announced that Kartikkumar Prakashkumar Patel, Rutvik Hasmukhbhai Patel and Piyushkumar Mafatbhai Patel had each been charged with three offences in connection with alleged conduct at the Moose Jaw restaurant.
At the time, the province said the accused faced three charges under FWRISA: taking or threatening action against a foreign worker for participating in a government or law enforcement investigation or proceeding, or for making a complaint, as prohibited by section 22(f); taking unfair advantage of a foreign national’s trust or exploiting their fear, lack of experience or knowledge, as prohibited by section 22(g); and, as an employer, charging a foreign worker a fee or expense for employment, as prohibited by section 23(5). Each charge was laid contrary to sections 40(1)(i) and 40(2) of the Act.
The province’s latest release identifies Dyan Jeny Enterprises as the employer convicted in the case but does not provide an update on the other charges announced in October 2025.
Guac Mexi Grill’s parent company previously issued a statement after the charges were announced in October 2025, saying it did not tolerate unlawful practices.
“Guac Mexi Grill does not tolerate or support any unlawful practices,” the company said at the time. “We take these allegations seriously and are reviewing the matter to ensure full compliance with our brand standards and Canadian law.
“Each Guac Mexi Grill restaurant is independently owned and operated. Franchisees are solely responsible for complying with all applicable federal and provincial laws, including employment and immigration regulations, as required under their franchise agreement.”
The offences were prosecuted under FWRISA because they occurred before July 1, 2024, when Saskatchewan’s new Immigration Services Act came into effect and replaced the former legislation.
The province says the new legislation significantly strengthened its compliance and enforcement framework. Had the conduct occurred after the new Act took effect, substantially greater penalties would have been available, including fines of up to $750,000 for individuals and $1.25 million for corporations, along with potential imprisonment of up to two years upon conviction.
The Ministry of Immigration and Career Training says its Program Compliance Branch continues to investigate potential immigration-related misconduct and enforce protections for foreign workers.
Anyone with questions about the Immigration Services Act, concerns about their rights, or information about potential violations can contact the branch at 833-613-0485 or PCB@gov.sk.ca.
The province says individuals do not need permission from an employer, recruiter or consultant to contact the branch and information provided is kept confidential.
