Canada Work Permit / July 22, 2025

14 Canadians & Firms Charged Over Work Permit Abuse Scandal

Authorities in P.E.I. have charged 14 individuals and businesses for wrongly using the Temporary Foreign Worker Program.

Fourteen people and businesses in Prince Edward Island now face charges over the mistreatment of migrant workers. Authorities say the accused took advantage of the Temporary Foreign Worker Program to gain money and power.

Two major companies—Canadian Nectar Products and Island Gold Honey—are at the center of the scandal.

How It All Began

The story began in November 2021. A local group raised concerns about how some workers were being treated on P.E.I. farms.

That tip led the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) to launch a full investigation. The agency spent years collecting texts, records, and witness statements.

In April 2025, they laid charges against eight individuals and six companies.

Charges Include Fraud, Abuse, and Money Laundering

The accused face multiple serious charges:

  • Lying to immigration officials to bring in foreign workers
  • Hiring people illegally without proper permits
  • Filing fake documents to get government approval
  • Forcing workers to pay cash for fake paycheques
  • Laundering money from these activities

The court hasn’t tested these claims yet. The case will return to court in August 2025.

Who Are the Main People Involved?

Two names appear often in the court records.

Kamalpreet Khaira owns Canadian Nectar Products. He’s accused of creating fake jobs to bring in more workers.

Roger O’Neill runs Island Gold Honey. He’s also accused of filing false job offers and shifting workers between businesses.

Thomas Walker, a former accountant kicked out of his profession, also faces charges. His firm, Walker and Associates, is involved.

What Happened to the Workers?

The real heart of the story is the workers.

They came from countries like India and Mexico, hoping for better lives in Canada. Many borrowed large amounts to pay immigration agents.

But instead of stable jobs, they found fake job sites, poor housing, and no work.

Some had to pay hundreds of dollars to get paycheques that showed less than what they gave in cash.

One man paid $600 to get a cheque for $499.70, just so he could prove he worked.

Big Problems in the System

This case has exposed deep flaws in Canada’s Temporary Foreign Worker Program.

The program helps fill jobs when no Canadians are available. But it ties workers to one employer. If problems arise, they can’t easily switch jobs.

This power imbalance leaves many open to abuse.

The P.E.I. case shows how easy it is for bad actors to exploit the system.

What Happens Next?

The court will look at the case again in August.

The federal government says it may review the worker program. But many groups want stronger protections now.

Some suggest giving workers open permits, better housing rules, and more surprise inspections.

For now, the case shines a light on a hidden issue. And for the workers affected, it offers a glimmer of hope for justice.

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