Salmon Arm worker alleges abuse under Rural and Northern Immigration Pilot

Key Takeaways

• Anil Khurana alleges exploitation under RNIP in Salmon Arm, including unpaid wages, harassment, and retaliation after injury reports.
• BC Employment Standards Branch ruled in Khurana’s favor, awarding $17,838 plus interest and fining employer $1,500.
• RNIP ties workers to closed permits, increasing vulnerability and limiting job mobility amid policy changes and oversight gaps.

On May 23, 2025, news broke from Salmon Arm, a small city in British Columbia, about a former worker’s allegations of serious exploitation while participating in Canada’s Rural and Northern Immigration Pilot (RNIP). Anil Khurana, who came to Salmon Arm under the RNIP, claims he was denied basic employment rights, faced harassment, and suffered retaliation after reporting workplace injuries and abuses. His ongoing case with the British Columbia Human Rights Tribunal has already resulted in favourable rulings from both WorkSafeBC and the BC Employment Standards Branch (ESB), shining a spotlight on the vulnerabilities faced by migrant workers in rural Canada.

What Happened in Salmon Arm?

Anil Khurana began working for an RNIP-approved employer in Salmon Arm in 2022. The RNIP is a federal program designed to help rural communities attract and keep skilled foreign workers by offering a pathway to permanent residency. For Khurana, this opportunity quickly turned into a struggle for basic rights and safety.

In February 2024, Khurana suffered a workplace injury. Despite his doctor’s advice to take time off, his employer refused to allow it. When Khurana reported his injury and other workplace abuses to WorkSafeBC and the ESB, he alleges his employer retaliated by revoking both his job offer and his RNIP recommendation. This move put his immigration status—and his future in Canada—in jeopardy.

By July 25, 2024, the RNIP team informed Khurana that without a renewed job offer, his recommendation would be revoked. This meant his application for permanent residency could be denied, leaving him in a precarious position.

Key Allegations and Legal Actions

Khurana’s case includes several serious allegations:

• Unpaid overtime and statutory holiday work: Khurana claims he was not paid for extra hours or for working on holidays, both of which are protected under Canadian employment law.
• Harassment and threats: He describes repeated harassment, including threats of deportation if he complained.
• Retaliation: After reporting his injury and other abuses, Khurana says his employer revoked his job offer and RNIP recommendation, directly threatening his immigration status.

Khurana took his complaints to several authorities:

• WorkSafeBC: Supported his claim regarding the workplace injury.
• BC Employment Standards Branch (ESB): Ruled in his favour on March 31, 2025, awarding him $17,838 in wages and interest, and fining the employer $1,500.
• British Columbia Human Rights Tribunal: Currently reviewing his complaint about discrimination and harassment.

The Rural and Northern Immigration Pilot (RNIP) in Context

The RNIP was launched in the North Okanagan in 2020 and expanded to the Shuswap region, including Salmon Arm, in 2022. It’s managed locally by Community Futures North Okanagan/Shuswap, which is responsible for overseeing employers and making sure they follow program rules.

The RNIP offers a pathway to permanent residency for skilled foreign workers who have a permanent job offer in a participating community. In February 2025, Community Futures North Okanagan received a three-year extension to continue the pilot, making it one of only 11 English-speaking RNIP programs in Canada.

How the RNIP Works:
– Foreign workers must secure a permanent, full-time job offer from a designated employer in a participating community.
– The community reviews the application and, if approved, recommends the worker for permanent residency.
– The worker then applies for permanent residency through Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC).

For more information about the RNIP and how to apply, visit the official IRCC RNIP page.

Policy Changes and Increased Oversight

In recent years, the federal government has increased scrutiny and penalties for employers who break the rules of temporary foreign worker programs. This is especially true in British Columbia, which has the highest proportion of temporary migrants in Canada.

Recent policy changes include:
– Refusal of low-wage worker applications when local unemployment is above 6%.
– Lower cap on migrant workers per company: Now only 10% of a company’s workforce can be temporary foreign workers, except in agriculture, construction, and healthcare.
– Stricter penalties: Employers found in violation can be removed from the program and lose the right to hire foreign workers.

Despite these changes, enforcement remains inconsistent. According to analysis from VisaVerge.com, while penalties against companies have increased, experts believe these only represent a small portion of actual violations.

The Problem with Closed Work Permits

Most migrant workers in Canada, including those in the RNIP, are tied to a single employer through what’s called a “closed work permit.” This means they can only work for the employer who sponsored them. If they lose their job, they risk losing their immigration status and being forced to leave the country.

Why is this a problem?
– Vulnerability to abuse: Workers may be afraid to speak up about poor treatment or unsafe conditions because they fear losing their job and their chance to stay in Canada.
– Retaliation: Employers can threaten to fire workers or withdraw their support for permanent residency, as Khurana alleges happened to him.
– Limited mobility: Workers can’t easily change jobs if they face problems, making it hard to escape bad situations.

Mitch Ward from the Shuswap Immigrant Services Society has criticized closed work permits, saying they create “structured vulnerability for the benefit of the employer.”

Complaint Mechanisms and Worker Protections

Workers who face abuse or unsafe conditions have several options for seeking help, but the process can be complex and intimidating, especially for those who don’t speak English well.

Step-by-step process for affected workers:

1. Report abuse or injury: Contact WorkSafeBC for workplace injuries. File complaints with the ESB for wage or employment violations.
2. Document everything: Keep records of hours worked, pay received, communications with employers, and any medical advice.
3. File a human rights complaint: If there is discrimination or harassment, submit a complaint to the British Columbia Human Rights Tribunal.
4. Seek support: Reach out to local immigrant services, legal aid, or advocacy groups for help.
5. RNIP recommendation: If the job offer is revoked, the RNIP recommendation may be withdrawn unless the employer reinstates the offer.
6. Appeal decisions: If not satisfied with the outcome, appeal through the appropriate tribunal or court.

For more information on worker rights and complaint processes, visit the BC Employment Standards Branch.

Quantitative Data: The Bigger Picture

• In 2021, over 70,000 temporary foreign workers entered Canada on closed work permits.
• Nearly 12,000 of these workers were employed on farms in British Columbia alone.
• The BC Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) Skills Immigration stream has a strict cap of 1,100 new applications for 2025, down from previous years.
• Nationally, PNP admissions have been reduced from 110,000 in 2024 to 55,000 in 2025.

Despite these numbers, enforcement actions against employers remain rare compared to the scale of the problem. Many violations go unreported due to fear of retaliation or lack of knowledge about complaint mechanisms.

Stakeholder Perspectives

Workers and Advocates

Worker advocates argue that closed work permits and lack of language support make migrant workers easy targets for exploitation. They say that even with complaint mechanisms in place, the risk of losing their job and immigration status keeps many workers silent.

Employers

Some employers claim they follow all legal requirements and provide fair treatment. However, enforcement actions and worker testimonies, like Khurana’s, suggest that abuses still occur.

Government Officials

Federal and provincial governments have acknowledged ongoing abuses and have made some reforms, such as lowering caps and increasing oversight. Critics, however, say these steps are not enough to address the root causes of exploitation.

International Perspective

A recent United Nations report described Canada’s temporary foreign worker program as a “breeding ground for contemporary forms of slavery,” pointing to widespread underpayment, hazardous conditions, and abuse.

The Role of the British Columbia Human Rights Tribunal

The British Columbia Human Rights Tribunal is a key body for workers like Khurana who face discrimination or harassment. The Tribunal reviews complaints and can order remedies, such as compensation or changes in workplace practices.

Khurana’s ongoing case with the Tribunal could set an important precedent for other migrant workers in Salmon Arm and across British Columbia. If the Tribunal rules in his favour, it may encourage more workers to come forward and push for stronger protections.

Community Oversight: Community Futures North Okanagan/Shuswap

Community Futures North Okanagan/Shuswap is responsible for administering the RNIP locally. This includes reviewing employer applications, monitoring compliance, and supporting both workers and employers.

The organization received a three-year extension in February 2025 to continue the pilot, reflecting the federal government’s commitment to rural immigration. However, cases like Khurana’s highlight the need for stronger oversight and better support for vulnerable workers.

Broader Implications and Systemic Issues

Khurana’s case is not unique. Temporary foreign worker programs in Canada have long been criticized for creating conditions that allow for exploitation. Closed work permits, lack of mobility, and inconsistent enforcement all contribute to the problem.

Recent class action lawsuits by migrant farmworkers allege systemic denial of rights and benefits, seeking hundreds of millions of dollars in damages from the federal government. These legal challenges, along with ongoing advocacy, may drive broader reforms in the future.

What’s Next? Future Outlook

The outcome of Khurana’s case with the British Columbia Human Rights Tribunal could have far-reaching effects. If the Tribunal rules in his favour, it may set a precedent for similar complaints and push for stronger protections for migrant workers.

The federal government is considering further reforms, including:
– Tightening employer eligibility requirements
– Increasing fees for employers who hire foreign workers
– Enhancing oversight and enforcement

Advocacy groups and ongoing lawsuits will likely continue to push for changes to temporary foreign worker and rural immigration programs.

Practical Guidance for Migrant Workers

If you are a migrant worker in Salmon Arm or elsewhere in Canada and face similar issues, here are some practical steps you can take:

• Know your rights: Learn about your rights as a worker in Canada. The BC Employment Standards Branch provides information in multiple languages.
• Keep records: Document your hours, pay, and any communications with your employer.
• Report problems: Don’t hesitate to contact WorkSafeBC or the ESB if you face unsafe conditions or wage violations.
• Seek support: Reach out to local organizations like the Shuswap Immigrant Services Society for help and advice.
• Consider legal action: If you experience discrimination or harassment, you can file a complaint with the British Columbia Human Rights Tribunal.

Official Resources

• Community Futures North Okanagan/Shuswap (RNIP): Program details and contacts
• BC Employment Standards Branch: Worker rights and complaint process
• WorkSafeBC: Workplace injury claims
• British Columbia Human Rights Tribunal: Discrimination and harassment complaints
• Shuswap Immigrant Services Society: Local support and advocacy

Conclusion

The case of Anil Khurana in Salmon Arm highlights the ongoing risks and challenges faced by migrant workers in Canada’s rural immigration programs. Despite recent policy changes and increased oversight, enforcement gaps and the structure of closed work permits continue to leave workers vulnerable to exploitation and retaliation. The outcome of Khurana’s case, along with ongoing legal challenges and advocacy efforts, may help shape future reforms and improve protections for migrant workers across Canada. As reported by VisaVerge.com, these developments are being closely watched by stakeholders nationwide, and the need for stronger, more consistent protections has never been clearer.

Learn Today

Rural and Northern Immigration Pilot (RNIP) → A Canadian federal program allowing skilled workers permanent residency through permanent jobs in rural communities.
Closed Work Permit → A work visa restricting migrant workers to one employer, limiting job mobility and increasing abuse risk.
WorkSafeBC → British Columbia agency supporting workplace injury claims and enforcing occupational health and safety laws.
Employment Standards Branch (ESB) → Provincial agency enforcing wage, hour, and employment rights in British Columbia workplaces.
British Columbia Human Rights Tribunal → Provincial body reviewing discrimination and harassment complaints, issuing remedies to protect workers’ rights.

This Article in a Nutshell

Anil Khurana’s experience reveals serious abuses faced by migrant workers under Canada’s RNIP. Despite oversight, closed permits trap workers, risking exploitation and retaliation, with legal battles highlighting a need for stronger protections in rural immigration programs nationwide.
— By VisaVerge.com