A Canadian trucking company and one of its representatives have been charged in Saskatchewan over allegations that foreign workers were misled about employment opportunities and unfairly taken advantage of during the recruitment process.
Escalade Transportation Inc. and Hafiz Tariq Ayub each face three charges under Saskatchewan’s former Foreign Worker Recruitment and Immigration Services Act, according to the provincial government. The charges were announced in a government news release.
The alleged offences took place between November 2022 and August 2023 at Escalade Transportation’s operation in Regina, Saskatchewan.
Provincial authorities allege that Escalade Transportation and Ayub produced or distributed false or misleading information and misrepresented employment opportunities. The allegations cover representations concerning positions, job duties, the length of employment, wages, benefits and other terms and conditions of employment.
Authorities also allege that the company and its representative took unfair advantage of a foreign national’s fear or their lack of experience or knowledge.
Escalade Transportation’s U.S. operating profile lists six power units and eight drivers. The carrier is identified as an interstate, authorized-for-hire operation, according to Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration data. As of Sept. 19, its U.S. DOT status was listed as active, while its FMCSA operating authority status was listed as “not authorized.”
The company reported hauling a broad range of commodities, including general freight, grain, feed and hay, dry bulk commodities, agricultural and farm supplies, as well as construction materials.
FMCSA records also show that Escalade Transportation underwent eight U.S. roadside inspections during the 24 months ending Sept. 19. Three of the five vehicle inspections resulted in vehicles being placed out of service, producing a 60% vehicle out-of-service rate. No drivers were placed out of service during the same period.
The FMCSA database showed no reportable crashes involving the carrier during those 24 months.
The Saskatchewan government has not disclosed how many foreign workers were allegedly affected by the conduct described in the charges. It has also not specified whether the workers involved were truck drivers or employees in other positions, nor has it provided details of the specific employment representations that led to the charges.
The case brings renewed attention to recruitment and employment practices involving foreign workers in the trucking sector. It comes as Canadian and U.S. regulators continue to increase scrutiny of the industry’s labor pipeline and the practices used to recruit workers from outside the country.
