Abusive Employers in Canada: Stop the Lies and Know Your Rights
The Reality No One Wants to Talk About
For many immigrants arriving in Canada—whether with an open work permit, a closed work permit, or a job offer—there’s a truth that rarely gets spoken out loud. Some have bought their job offers. Others have accepted much lower wages just to set foot in the country. And in some cases, the employer has even worked hand-in-hand with an immigration consultant to “create” a position that fits the applicant’s profile, to get them here.
The Harsh Truth: You Pay the Price
If you arrive with a contract showing a $33/hour wage but you’re actually paid $20/hour, it won’t take long before you realize that $20 an hour, for 40 hours a week—or maybe less—won’t even cover your rent, regardless of the province you’re in.
And that’s just the start. Many discover that the job described in their paperwork is not the job they’re doing. You might have come as a “store supervisor,” but end up working as a butcher. This mismatch works against you in two ways:
- You’re not gaining the experience you’ll need to qualify for permanent residency under skilled programs.
- Your paperwork says one thing, your reality says another—and that inconsistency will catch up with you.
When Lies Follow You to Permanent Residency
If your initial work permit application contains misleading information, those same discrepancies can haunt you when you apply for permanent residency. Immigration programs look for consistency in your work history, and if your actual job duties don’t match your declared position, your application can be rejected.
Language ability is another overlooked factor. While some programs—like Ontario’s Job Offer Stream—don’t require proof of language for submission, the immigration system is still points-based. Without language points, you could easily spend five years in the pool without a single invitation, unless demand drops to its lowest point and they start picking candidates simply because no one else is left.
A Message to Abusive Employers
If you’re an employer promising job offers to foreign workers, understand that there are strict eligibility criteria for making those offers. If your business or the position doesn’t meet them, stop misleading people. When your offer is refused, don’t turn around and claim you “did everything you could” when you never qualified to begin with.
A Message to Employees: Stop Being Naïve
Do your homework. Don’t just take your employer’s word for it. If their intentions are genuine, both of you should take the time to learn the correct process, the eligibility requirements, and the long-term implications. Your future in Canada depends on more than simply arriving—it depends on arriving prepared, informed, and with a plan that can work. Understanding your rights and legal requirements is key to taking control of your situation and ensuring a fair and honest employment experience.
At K-IZEN, we believe that honesty is the only way forward. We encourage all employers and employees to uphold this value in their interactions, as it not only fosters trust but also ensures a fair and transparent employment process.
Stop believing everything you hear. Stop spreading misinformation. Get informed before you sign, before you accept, and before you move. Information is power—and it can save your future in Canada. By being responsible and ensuring you have accurate information, you can contribute to a more transparent and fair employment landscape for all.