New Brunswick Processor Fined $1M for Violating Worker Standards

A seafood processing company in New Brunswick has been fined $1 million and barred from hiring foreign workers for ten years due to significant violations of employment standards. Bolero Shellfish Processing Inc. received this penalty under the federal Temporary Foreign Worker Program (TFWP) after federal inspectors identified failures in providing appropriate wages and working conditions.

According to Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC), this fine is the largest ever imposed by the department for issues related to the treatment of temporary foreign workers. In a statement, ESDC emphasized, “Any mistreatment of workers or misuse of the program will not be tolerated.”

Company’s Response and Wider Context

In response to the ruling, Bolero announced plans to challenge the decision in court. The company argued that the findings do not accurately reflect its practices or its commitment to the welfare of its employees engaged through the TFWP.

Between April 2024 and March 2025, the Canadian government conducted 1,435 inspections related to the TFWP, resulting in a total of $4.8 million in penalties, which is more than double the $2.06 million imposed the previous year. During this period, thirty-six employers were banned from participating in the program, although Bolero’s fine was assessed separately in September.

Patty Hajdu, Canada’s Minister of Employment, highlighted that the TFWP is intended as a last resort to address labour shortages when suitable Canadian workers are unavailable. She stated, “The Temporary Foreign Worker Program is a last resort measure for businesses — it is no substitute for Canadian talent, and its misuse will never be permitted.”

Increased Scrutiny on the Program

The TFWP has recently faced heightened scrutiny, with critics, including Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre, arguing that it contributes to wage suppression. Meanwhile, Prime Minister Mark Carney has expressed a desire to refocus the system to better serve its intended purpose.

In an effort to improve oversight, ESDC has implemented measures to reduce the number of temporary workers allowed in certain sectors. The department reported a 50 percent decrease in employer reliance on the program since September 2024.

Other penalties in the last fiscal year include a $212,000 fine and a two-year ban for an agricultural firm, as well as a $161,000 fine and a five-year ban for a real estate company, both for failing to meet wage and condition standards.

Looking ahead, the federal government aims to decrease the proportion of temporary residents in Canada to five percent of the total population by 2027, down from approximately seven percent today. The recent actions against Bolero Shellfish Processing Inc. serve as a significant reminder of the ongoing efforts to uphold labor standards within the TFWP.

For additional insights, reference materials from Postmedia News have been utilized in this report.