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Saskatchewan has taken steps to protect newcomers to the province — including protecting them from fraud.
The provincial government on Monday introduced the Immigration Services Act, which includes among its goals the offer of help to newcomers and employers.
“Immigration is critical to Saskatchewan’s economic growth,” Immigration and Career Training Minister Jeremy Harrison said in a release. “This strengthened legislation will support and protect newcomers and employers, and ensure Saskatchewan is able to attract and retain the labour force we need to support our growing economy and communities.
“This new legislation will enhance Saskatchewan’s ability to support newcomers as they arrive in the province, improve the process for employers looking to hire foreign workers, and ensure Saskatchewan has the most robust program integrity framework in Canada.”
According to the release, the act will offer stronger protection to foreign workers against exploitation and provide oversight of recruiters, immigration consultants, and non-compliant employers.
It also will give the province increased investigative authority and enforcement measures to tackle immigration fraud, including increased maximum fine amounts for offences and authorizing administrative monetary penalties for non-compliance.
“With the most aggressive foreign worker protection legislation and the most robust program integrity framework in the country, the new legislation provides concrete consequences for those who attempt to misuse immigration programs in the province,” the government release said.
As well, the legislation will allow the government to provide more settlement services, from pre-arrival support to longer-term retention assistance.
The hope is that the new law will help employers in the province who need to use immigration to address their labour situation. The immigration legislation dovetails with the new Labour Market Strategy.
“The province already has one of the most effective credential recognition systems in Canada, and with the introduction of this new legislation, Saskatchewan will be better positioned to attract and retain the skilled workforce it needs to fill critical job vacancies in the province,” the release said.
In 2022, the Saskatchewan government proposed the Saskatchewan Immigration Accord, which would give the province more autonomy over immigration. The province believes the new act will help it reach that goal.