Swift Current authorities have laid a series of charges against a numbered company that operates the Husky Travel Centre and the owner who runs it, alleging they required two foreign workers to pay fees in order to work.
Charges, timeframe and court appearance
Provincial immigration officials say each entity — the numbered company and the owner — faces eight charges stemming from alleged conduct between September 2023 and August 2025. The allegations include taking unfair advantage of a foreign national’s trust and charging a fee or expense for employment.
The owner is scheduled to appear in court in Swift Current on Wednesday, the ministry said. A lawyer who has been identified as representing the owner was contacted but did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
| Defendant | Number of charges | Alleged period |
|---|---|---|
| Numbered company (operator of Husky Travel Centre) | 8 | Sept. 2023–Aug. 2025 |
| Owner | 8 | Sept. 2023–Aug. 2025 |
New provincial law increases penalties
Half of the charges are being laid under Saskatchewan’s updated immigration legislation, which was passed in 2024. That legislation expanded the tools available to courts and allows for heavier penalties than were possible under the previous framework.
The charges come amid renewed scrutiny of how employers recruit and manage temporary foreign workers in the province. Last week, a separate Moose Jaw restaurant — Dhyan Jeny Enterprises, which operated as Guac Mexi Grill — pleaded guilty to charging a foreign worker an employment-related fee.
In that case, the court imposed $7,000 in fines and ordered the employer to repay the worker $12,000. The company indicated it plans not to hire foreign workers in future and will comply with franchisor restrictions, according to statements from its lawyer and franchisor.
"We are reviewing the matter in the context of our franchise agreement and will determine the appropriate actions available to us," the franchisor said in an emailed statement.
What the allegations mean for workers and employers
Provincial officials say charging a worker directly for access to employment is prohibited and can constitute taking unfair advantage of someone in a vulnerable position. The updated statute aims to protect temporary foreign workers and to deter employers from imposing recruitment or employment fees.
For workers, the protections are intended to prevent situations where someone arrives to work only to face unexpected debts tied to their employment. For employers, the legislation clarifies obligations and raises the stakes for violations.
Context and next steps
The ministry’s charges against the Swift Current business and owner begin a court process that will determine whether the allegations are proven. If convictions occur under the amended law, sentencing options include larger fines and potentially other sanctions than were previously available.
Investigations into improper fees for foreign workers have increased in Saskatchewan and across Canada as governments seek to ensure migrant workers are not exploited. Enforcement outcomes, like the recent Moose Jaw fine and repayment order, are intended to signal that charges will be pursued and penalties applied where warranted.
- Who is charged: A numbered company operating Husky Travel Centre and the owner who runs it.
- Allegations: Charging employment-related fees and taking unfair advantage of foreign nationals.
- Timeframe: Alleged offences between Sept. 2023 and Aug. 2025.
Anyone with information about potential violations can contact provincial immigration authorities. The court file for the Swift Current matter will be available through local court records once proceedings are under way.
The evolving legal framework and recent convictions underline the province’s focus on protecting temporary foreign workers. As prosecutions proceed, employers in the hospitality, service and agricultural sectors may face increased scrutiny over recruitment costs and payroll practices.
Coverage will continue as the case moves through the court and as officials provide further details.
