More than 40 Mexican “modern day slaves” who were allegedly forced to work as cleaners at vacation properties in Canada for as little as $50 a month have been freed and offered legitimate employment, police said Monday.
The Ontario Provincial Police and the Barrie, Ontario, force said they launched an investigation last year after receiving multiple tips from the public. They alleged that the Mexicans were lured to Canada believing they would be offered jobs and educational opportunities.
“The 43 victims were transported to Canada, coached on what to say as they entered the country but then made to live in squalid conditions at locations in Barrie and Wasaga Beach,” OPP Deputy Commissioner Rick Barnum said. “From there, their situation only became worse.”
Authorities said no arrests have been made but added that they expect to file charges.
The operation targeting the alleged human trafficking ring took place Feb. 5 and also involved the Canada Border Services Agency, police said.
The Mexican workers have since been offered accommodations and legitimate employment at a local resort, Barrie police Chief Kimberley Greenwood said. He added that the individuals are communicating with Immigration and Refugees Canada about their status in the country.
“We have to acknowledge that this is the first time that we have seen a labor human trafficking operation of this nature and size in our area,” Greenwood said.
The workers, whose hometowns were not released, arrived in Canada by plane, police said.
