The owner of a Canadian Tire store in Toronto is currently being investigated. This is being done by the provincial and federal governments for allegedly mistreating and financially exploiting employees. These employees were hired through Ottawa’s Temporary Foreign Worker Program.
At least 13 of those employees resigned. They were also fired by the store late last year. This was according to documents reviewed by The Globe and Mail and conversations with several of the workers regarding the Canadian tire. The employees alleged that their wages were arbitrarily reduced by the owner. They also added how they were forced to do jobs in the Canadian tire for which they were not hired. They also claim the owner threatened to fire them on multiple occasions when they brought up their concerns about the working conditions.
Canadian Tire: What Does The Federal Government Dictate?
Federal government rules dictate thoroughly that employers cannot arbitrarily decrease the wages of temporary foreign workers. It also dictates that any employer even the Canadian tire cannot materially change their job duties. If it is not done, they will have to apply for a new labour market impact assessment (LMIA). Plus, a document is needed to hire foreign workers. This is required even for Canadian tire.
What More Has Come About The Canadian Tire Investigation?
A spokesperson with Ontario’s Ministry of Labour, Training, Immigration and Skills Development confirmed that the province is investigating Ezhil Natarajan. This is the person who owns and operates a Canadian Tire store in Etobicoke. This is which comprises Toronto’s west end.
Meanwhile, a federal investigation is being conducted by an officer of Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC). Plus, the ministry in charge of the Temporary Foreign Worker (TFW) Program. The ESDC would not confirm if it was still investigating Mr. Natarajan. However, an e-mail exchange as recent as August 14 revealed that one of its officers was in contact with one of the workers regarding the wages allegedly owed to him by Mr. Natarajan.
Plus, the employers who have been found non-compliant of the rules set out in the TFW program. This could be fined and banned from hiring foreign workers. Plus, on top of that, Mr. Natarajan has denied all the allegations levelled against him. On top of that, his lawyer, Arthur Tarasuk, confirmed that his client is being investigated by the government. He also said that Mr. Natarajan “intends to disprove” the allegations.
The Canadian Tire Response
Canadian Tire Corporation Ltd. CTC-A-T -0.33% decrease calls its franchise owners “dealers” and regularly uses social media to promote them. Late last year, a LinkedIn post on Canadian Tire’s corporate page featured Mr. Natarajan: “Ezhil enjoys the ability to combine his entrepreneurship skills with impactful social contributions, making a positive difference in the lives of others,” it read.
In a statement to The Globe, the company said it had no knowledge of the situation involving Mr. Natarajan but was investigating the “details and validity of the allegations.”
“We are deeply concerned by the allegations that have been raised,” the statement said. “It is important to note that each Canadian Tire store is independently owned and operated by a dealer, who is responsible for their own hiring, staffing and HR practices.”
Documents viewed by The Globe show that Mr. Natarajan worked with an Alberta-based immigration consultant, Allison Jones Consulting Services Inc., to hire some of the foreign workers. Allison Jones charged the workers more than $10,000 each to process their applications for the TFW program, according to records reviewed by The Globe. It is illegal, under federal immigration law and Ontario’s Employment Standards Act, for an employer to knowingly use a recruiter who has charged a fee to a foreign worker to bring them to Canada.
Canadian Tire: What Do The Documents Say?
The documents thoroughly show that Mr. Natarajan worked with an Alberta-based immigration consultant. This was the Allison Jones Consulting Services Inc., to hire some of the foreign workers. Allison Jones charged the workers more than $10,000 each. This was done to process their applications for the TFW program, according to the records reviewed. This is known to be extremely illegal. Especially, under federal immigration law and Ontario’s Employment Standards Act. Especially, for an employer to knowingly use a recruiter who has charged a fee to a foreign worker to bring them to Canada.