Three Ontario businesses have been fined after a joint investigation between the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) and Canadian Border Services Agency (CBSA) identified more than 700 illegal workers who did not have permission to be in Canada.
The businesses—CDA Landscape Services, TDA Landscape Services, and SDA Services—pleaded guilty to hiring foreign nationals without authorization on Feb. 28, according to an April 4 Canadian Border Services Agency (CBSA) news release.
CDA Landscape Services faced 20 counts of hiring foreign nationals without authorization, while the other two companies each faced two counts, CBSA said.
Following the guilty plea, CDA Landscape Services was fined $400,000. The other two companies were each fined $25,000.
CBSA said the investigation stems from a 2019 incident where the OPP arrested one of the illegal workers for impaired driving.
OPP and CBSA said the joint investigation uncovered a “network of unauthorized workers” that spanned across southern and eastern Ontario and the GTA.
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Throughout Ontario, more than 700 foreign nationals were found to be employed by the companies despite not having proper work authorization, according to CBSA.
Several of those were deemed “inadmissible” because of criminal behaviour and were deported, the release said.
“The charges and the sentencing reflect a thorough investigation and our commitment to maintaining the integrity of Canada’s immigration system,” said Aaron McCrorie, vice president of CBSA’s intelligence and enforcement branch.
McCrorie said CBSA investigators worked with law enforcement partners to secure the border and to ensure that those who break the law are “held accountable.”
CBSA said it deported 16,470 foreign nationals from Canada in 2024, and it anticipates that number will increase to 20,000 for 2025–2026 and 2026–2027.
Immigration, Refugee and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) said while there are no accurate numbers on how many illegal immigrants live in Canada, estimates suggest it could be as high as 500,000.
In March, Immigration Minister Marc Miller announced government plans to allow up to 6,000 illegal immigrant workers to stay in Canada and work in the construction industry through a new immigration program.
He said that no one should stay in Canada longer than legally allowed, but that with the need for more housing in the county it “makes sense” to allow them to stay and help build homes.
The program will allow foreign workers to register for apprenticeships without a study permit, Miller said, adding that the workers will be able to enrol in trades, training, and apprenticeship programs.
