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ARTICLE · 17 DECEMBER 2025

Year-End Immigration Compliance Checklist For Employers

McMillan LLP
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The year 2025 highlighted that immigration non-compliance is no longer a minor risk; it can lead to significant financial consequences for employers.

CanadaEmployment and HR
Jae-Yeon Lim*
Jae-Yeon Lim*
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The year 2025 highlighted that immigration non-compliance is no longer a minor risk; it can lead to significant financial consequences for employers. Businesses must remain vigilant as both federal and provincial authorities continue to tighten oversight.

Compliance Is Under the Spotlight

Ottawa recently imposed its largest fine under the Temporary Foreign Worker Program, signaling a strong stance on employer accountability. Penalties for violations—such as failing to meet program conditions—are cumulative and can quickly escalate into hundreds of thousands of dollars and bans from hiring foreign workers. A recent example was a New Brunswick-based seafood business which was fined $1 million and banned from using the temporary foreign worker program for ten years, for failing to provide proper wages and working conditions and not complying with the federal and provincial labour laws.1 Similarly, Ontario's Immigrant Nominee Program ("OINP") has prioritized

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The foregoing provides only an overview and does not constitute legal advice. Readers are cautioned against making any decisions based on this material alone. Rather, specific legal advice should be obtained.

© McMillan LLP 2025

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