Canada’s federal government has permanently banned a winery in BC’s Okanagan region from hiring temporary foreign workers over its treatment of employees.
Immigration and Citizenship Canada shared the discipline action online in December. Toor Vineyards faces a $118,000 fine and a permanent prohibition on using the TFW program again.
The vineyard did not put enough effort into making sure the workplace was free of sexual, psychological, physical, and financial abuse, the federal government noted. It also said the migrant workers’ pay and the job conditions didn’t match what was listed on their offer of employment. As well, the winery didn’t give an inspector documents they had asked for.
The address of the Oliver, BC, vineyard matches the contact information of Desert Hills Estate Winery, which shared on its Instagram in 2023 that owner Randy Toor would be retiring from its operations.
According to Okanagan media reports, Toor was named in connection with an investigation into alleged migrant worker sexual assaults. The allegations have not been proven in court.
BC RCMP addressed the situation in January 2024. The force didn’t name the winery or the suspect, but Cpl. James Grandy said a “prominent member” of the South Okanagan wine industry was being investigated in connection with the sexual assault of a migrant worker from Mexico.
At the time, investigators believed there may have been additional victims or witnesses yet to come forward.
“If you have been a victim, or have any information, we’re encouraging you to speak with us,” Grandy said at the time, noting Spanish-speaking officers would be available to assist.
Daily Hive has asked police for an update on the case.
In 2022, Toor was found guilty on charges of misrepresentation in connection with an immigration fraud network.
Daily Hive reached out to Desert Hills Estate Winery for comment, but the business has not yet replied.