A recruitment agency charged fees of about $8,000 to temporary foreign workers, split into two payments: around $2,000 before introduction to the employer and around $6,000 after job acceptance.
The agency maintained these payments were for immigration and settlement services, not job placement.
Under Canada’s Temporary Foreign Worker Program (TFWP), employers needed a labour market opinion from Service Canada confirming they couldn’t find local workers.
Employers had to cover recruitment costs, return airfare, assist with accommodation, provide medical coverage, and enrol workers in compensation insurance.
When submitting labour market opinions, the employer acknowledged through signed forms: “I declare that all recruitment done or that will be done on my behalf by a third party was or will be done in compliance with federal/provincial/territorial laws governing recruitment. I am aware that I will be held responsible for the actions of any person recruiting temporary foreign workers on my behalf.”
