Saskatchewan has introduced new immigration legislation, the Immigration Services Act (ISA), aiming to provide Canada with the highest level of program integrity.
The ISA replaces the Foreign Worker Recruitment and Immigration Services Act on September 1, introducing stricter penalties and regulations to ensure compliance.
The legislation imposes significant administrative penalties for violations, with fines of up to $200,000 for individuals and $400,000 for corporations. Eligibility requirements have also been enhanced for immigration consultants, recruiters, and employers recruiting internationally. These measures are designed to strengthen worker protections and combat fraud.
One key element of the new law is the introduction of a code of conduct for registered employers and foreign worker recruiters. Licensing fees have also been updated, with a $300 fee for a new foreign worker recruiter or immigration consultant license and a $50 renewal fee required every two years.
The ISA introduced a new compliance branch that investigates complaints while ensuring complainants’ confidentiality. Employer groups have praised the legislation for giving Saskatchewan greater investigative authority and enforcement tools to address immigration fraud.
Saskatchewan has launched two new pathways for permanent residency through the Saskatchewan Immigrant Nominee Program (SINP). The Agriculture Talent Pathway addresses labor shortages in the agricultural sector, while the Health Talent Pathway streamlines healthcare recruitment, consolidating all healthcare recruitment under a single stream.
These efforts reflect the province’s commitment to attracting and retaining the labor force necessary for economic growth and community development, with some of Canada’s highest penalties for non-compliance.
The post Saskatchewan Introduces Immigration Services Act to Strengthen Program Integrity appeared first on CI News | Latest Canada Immigration News.
