A Winnipeg man has been sentenced to 20 months of house arrest and fined $50,000 after pleading guilty to employing unauthorized foreign workers.
Gurwinder Singh Ahluwalia entered the guilty plea on April 2 to one count of unauthorized employment of foreign nationals, contrary to Section 124 of the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act.
The Canada Border Services Agency said its criminal investigations unit launched a probe in August 2023 after receiving a tip about unauthorized workers being employed and mistreated at a local construction site.
Investigators linked documentation and work permit applications to Ahluwalia, who was managing the site at the time.
In May 2024, CBSA officers executed search warrants and seized multiple electronic devices and documents.
The materials indicated Ahluwalia had recruited foreign nationals to work in Canada without proper authorization and also underpaid workers who did hold valid permits.
Charges were formally laid against him in November 2024.
Janalee Bell-Boychuk, a regional director for CBSA, said of the sentencing:
“The Canada Border Services Agency Criminal Investigations Section in Winnipeg worked diligently to investigate this case and provide evidence for conviction. We will continue to pursue prosecution for individuals who abuse our immigration system while safeguarding workers from exploitation.”
The sentencing of Ahluwalia comes on the heels of CBSA strengthening its border and immigration system with $1.3 billion in new funding, largely in response to tariff threats from incoming U.S. President Donald Trump.