Advocacy group calls for worker trust fund after N.B. company’s $1M fine

By Canadian Press on October 8, 2025.

A migrant workers advocacy group says the employees of a New Brunswick shellfish company that was fined $1 million should be entitled to part of the money.

Bolero Shellfish Processing Inc. was issued the fine on Sept. 17 for failing to comply with rules of the temporary foreign worker program and banned from using the program for 10 years.

The federal government says Bolero broke hiring laws, paid less than the listed offer, and did not do enough to ensure the workplace was free of abuse.

An organizer with the Migrant Workers Alliance for Change says the fines levied against companies like Bolero aren’t helping the workers who experience mistreatment.

Niger Saravia says what workers at Bolero experienced wasn’t unique, adding that the employees were given fewer hours than promised.

The group is calling on the federal government to use the fines it collects from employers to create a trust fund to compensate employees who have been unfairly treated.

It also wants Ottawa to grant permanent resident status to migrant workers.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Oct. 8, 2025.

The Canadian Press