October 24, 2025
RED FM News Desk
Three individuals are facing criminal charges in what the Saskatchewan government has confirmed is the first prosecution under the province’s foreign worker protection legislation.
Kartikkumar Prakashkumar Patel, Rutvik Hasmukhbhai Patel, and Piyushkumar Mafatbhai Patel have each been charged with three counts under the former Foreign Worker Recruitment and Immigration Services Act.
The charges relate to alleged misconduct concerning foreign workers employed at a Guac Mexi Grill location in Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan, with the alleged offences taking place between August 2023 and February 2024.
The serious allegations levelled against the three accused include charging a fee for employment from foreign workers, exploiting their trust or fear by taking unfair advantage of a foreign national, and retaliating or threatening to take action against a foreign worker for participating in an investigation or making a complaint.
The three individuals are scheduled to appear in Moose Jaw provincial court on November 25. The charges were filed under the older Foreign Worker Recruitment and Immigration Services Act because the alleged offences predate the implementation of its replacement, the Immigration Services Act, which came into effect in July 2024.
Guac Mexi Grill, the franchisor, issued a statement acknowledging the charges. The Canadian company, established in 2016, stressed that it “does not tolerate or support any unlawful practices” and is currently reviewing the matter to ensure full compliance with its brand standards and Canadian law.
The company also clarified the relationship with its locations, stating that “Each Guac Mexi Grill restaurant is independently owned and operated,” and that franchisees are “solely responsible for complying with all applicable federal and provincial laws, including employment and immigration regulations.”
This landmark case signals the province’s commitment to enforcing its legislation aimed at protecting foreign nationals working within Saskatchewan.
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