Federal officials detain dozens of foreign workers at mountain hotels

Bill Kaufmann -

Dozens of foreign workers at Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise and other Rocky Mountain hotels have been detained and deported by federal border officials who are investigating how they illegally came to the iconic resorts.


© Peter Brosseauofficials with CBSA found dozens of foreign workers without the proper paperwork working at the Chateau Lake Louise, pictured here.

Last Tuesday, Canada Border Services Agency personnel rounded up more than 30 staffers at the iconic Lake Louise hotel, who one of their co-workers said hail from Mexico, working under potentially improper immigration documentation.

“We can confirm that CBSA officers were in Lake Louise on July 12 as part of an ongoing Immigration and Refugee Protection Act and Criminal Code of Canada investigation,” border services spokeswoman Rebecca Purdy said in an email.

“If an individual is found to be working in Canada without a valid work permit, the CBSA will consider appropriate enforcement action, which may include issuance of a removal order. The Agency has a legal obligation to remove all foreign nationals found to be inadmissible to Canada under the IRPA.”

One of their co-workers at Chateau Lake Louise said the CBSA operation came as a shock to both the detained staff members and their colleagues.

“The workers were given a knock-on-the-door notice, lined up, and prepared to be deported,” said the employee, who wished to remain anonymous.

“It’s obviously pretty traumatic for them.”

It comes at a time when the Bow Valley hospitality industry and those who help hire staff have said there’s an especially acute labour shortage to handle this year’s busy summer season.

A spokesperson with the Fairmont Hotels and Resorts said their hiring was done as a result of those pressures and could affect a total of 105 of its staffers at Lake Louise, as well as the Fairmont Banff Springs Hotel and Jasper Park Lodge.

“Hotels use third-party staffing agencies to assist with challenges related to labour shortages,” said Anastasia Martin-Stilwell.

In this case, the third-party staffing provider had facilitated the workers’ arrival and pay at all three hotels, she said, adding the resort chain has severed its partnership with the firm.

“(The third-party company) was contracted to be responsible for guaranteeing all appropriate documentation for individuals, complying with all applicable laws and representing that all workers provided to the hotels would be properly hired and have the ability to legally work in Canada,” she said in an email.

“We are very disappointed in (their) operations and their negligence in their hiring practices. The decisions made by (the contractor) have real, consequential effects on their contract workers.”

The 31 contract employees who worked in the stewarding, culinary, housekeeping and residence divisions at Lake Louise have been deported, she added.

Fairmont Hotel and Resorts has offered free accommodation and food for up to 10 days and transportation to Calgary and Edmonton for other affected contract workers and is also seeking ways of employing those whose documentation is in order, said Martin-Stilwell.

“We are working diligently to identify opportunities to support the impacted contract workers to the best of our ability,” she said, adding that assistance has its limits.

“Upon guidance provided by CBSA, the RCMP, and our internal counsel, we have learned that we are not legally allowed to provide financial compensation to (these) contract workers.”

The foreign employees’ co-worker said the loss of so many staff members at the Chateau Lake Louise has negatively impacted a range of services there.

“The hotel already had staffing issues so it’s had an immediate impact on the hotel and its ability to attract tourists,” said the worker.

For instance, restaurants at the hotel are only able to accommodate diners with prior reservations and not walk-ins, said the employee.

Hotel chain spokesperson Martin-Stilwell said they’re “working diligently to minimize any impact to the guest experience and will continue to provide high-quality hospitality offerings to our guests and maintain regular operations.”

The issue facing Fairmont Hotels and Resorts is a “one-off situation” in a hospitality sector that’s serious about observing ethical hiring practices, said Wanda Bogdane, executive director of the Banff & Lake Louise Hospitality Association.

“While it is incredibly rare to encounter a circumstance like the one that recently unfolded, organizations contracting services in good faith can also be a casualty within a negligent process,” she said in an email.

“Employers remain vigilant in meeting and exceeding labour standards identified by the provincial and federal government.”

Late last month, a recruiting agency operating in Banff-Canmore said the area, significantly dependent on foreign workers, was short between 1,000 and 2,000 employees due to pandemic travel uncertainties and other employment options.

Bogdane said the hospitality sector in the region is “adequately staffed and will be delivering the same great experience that Banff National Park is known for. They will continue managing customer intake against their staffing levels to ensure that standards remain high.”

BKaufmann@postmedia.com
Twitter: @BillKaufmannjrn