According to testimonies from workers and organizations, campground officials defrauded Mexican workers and violated the rules on hiring temporary foreign workers. The employees reportedly worked six days a week, were paid less than minimum wage and were never granted work permits promised by employers. The latter, however, vigorously deny the allegations.
The consulate did not want to grant an interview to Radio-Canada because of the ongoing process and deems it inappropriate to make a public statement at this time. However, he explains in his email that he is working with the relevant provincial authorities to find the best solution for those affected and that he is confident that the provincial and Canadian authorities will make efforts to clarify the situation and may take steps to prevent similar situations from recurring in the future.
The consulate also mentions that it is extremely concerned about the situation.
Allegations worry MPs
The practices reported in the article are disturbing, unacceptable and, quite simply, illegal. With these words, Quebec Labor Minister Jean Boulet responded to the allegations of “human trafficking”.
According to Minister Boulet, an investigation into this issue is underway at the Commission on Standards, Equal Opportunities, Health and Safety at Work (CNESST). Do you know that CNESST runs various initiatives to ensure fair and safe working conditions for all workers in Quebec, he wrote in an email.
“I am very sensitive to the vulnerability of foreign temporary workers in Quebec who are entitled to fair working conditions that respect our laws. »
— A quote from Jean Boulet, Labor Minister
The Labor Minister Jean Boulet
Photo: Radio Canada / Sylvain Roy Roussel
Madwa-Nika Cadet, Liberal MNA for Bourassa-Sauvé and Labor critic of the official opposition, says the allegations are extremely worrying.
We are talking about a situation, on a human level, that is absolutely distressing, she laments. It shakes us. I don’t think that sends a positive signal, either to the general population or to foreign temporary workers.
The MNA claims the government needs to do more to ensure the protection of foreign temporary workers, particularly given the observed increase in complaints to CNESST. It’s her job, she says. She also reminds that the number of foreign temporary workers is only increasing due to labor shortages and companies may not always use the right resources.
“Obviously, CNESST will need much more funding and resources to conduct investigations. What we are asking of the government is that CNESST has all the resources necessary to conduct any necessary screening. »
– A quote from Madwa-Nika Cadet, liberal MNA for Bourassa-Sauvé
Also Andrés Fontecilla, MNA of Solidarity for Laurier-Dorion and critic of the second opposition group for Immigration, Frankization and Integration, claims that the situation is unacceptable and that the government must tighten menstruation and monitor it more closely.
He regrets that these are people who were completely screwed and then exploited. Unfortunately, such messages are piling up. I think we’re at the tip of the iceberg. Especially in a context where more and more foreign temporary workers are coming to Quebec. Abuse situations are likely to increase, he emphasizes.
The bloc member for riding Shefford, which covers Maricourt in particular, said she was shocked by the allegations.
You cannot defend the untenable. Some speak of cases of human trafficking. You see, I’m a member of the multi-party Human Trafficking and Modern Slavery Group in Ottawa, and we’re in an example that could come very close. […] Behind it are faces and people who need to be treated as they should be. This is an opportunity to remember that all workers who are here have the same rights and that all employers must treat them fairly and respect the rules, stresses Andréanne Larouche.
A new reality TV season in January?
Since last winter, Havana QC, a reality show about the Havana Resort campsite, is available on the non-scripted content platform Vrai. A second season of this show is scheduled to air on January 3rd.
At the request of Radio-Canada, Groupe TVA spokesman Sébastien Pilon informed via email that following certain allegations related to practices related to the working conditions of certain workers at Camping Havana Resort in Estrie, the management of the Vrai platform is currently Carry out reviews to shed light on the situation.
The trailer for the second season shared in a press release on Tuesday was no longer available on the Internet on Wednesday.
Radio-Canada also contacted Camping Quebec on Wednesday. The association, which represents the campsite operators in the province, declined to be questioned. However, she confirms that as of August 31, Camping Havana Resort is not a member of Camping Québec. In fact, to be part of the organization you must be properly registered with the Ministry of Tourism and pay your dues, and those obligations have not been met, according to the association.
Camping Québec President and CEO Simon Tessier also pointed out that the tourism industry urgently needs workers to fill its vacancies, claiming that this type of file does not help operators who want to facilitate the arrival of foreigners workers.
With information from Thomas Deshaies and Marie-Hélène Rousseau