N.B. seafood company takes feds to court after $1M fine over foreign worker treatment

October 16, 2025

N.B. seafood company takes feds to court after $1M fine over foreign worker treatment

A New Brunswick seafood processing company is taking the federal government to court over what it calls an “unjust and disproportionate” penalty related to its treatment of temporary foreign workers.

Bolero Shellfish Processing Inc., based in Saint-Simon, is challenging the Federal Court after being fined $1 million and receiving a 10-year ban from Canada’s temporary foreign worker program — the biggest penalty ever issued by Employment and Social Development Canada.

In the judicial review application, the company denies allegations raised by a former employee and advocacy groups.

In court documents obtained by Global News, Bolero argues the government’s four-year investigation was filled with delays, flawed procedures and assumptions of guilt.

It says the ruling imposed “true penal consequences” without a fair trial or opportunity to properly respond, and that the government’s public announcement has caused “profound” reputational damage.

The initial fine came after worker complaints resulted in an investigation that found Bolero in violation of several temporary foreign worker regulations, including failing to provide workers with the hours and pay guaranteed in their contracts, improper deductions and health insurance gaps.

Officials also said the company failed to maintain adequate protection against abuse and mistreatment in the workplace.

In a statement, Bolero “categorically rejects” the federal government’s findings, saying they “do not reflect the reality of its practices nor its commitment to the well-being of employees.”