Ontario Manager Fired Over Alleged Marriage-for-Residency Offer to Teen

A manager in Ontario has been terminated after allegedly offering a 17-year-old employee approximately Rs 13 lakh (CAD 15,000–20,000) to marry her Indian brother, reportedly to help him gain permanent residency in Canada.

The alleged proposal, made through text messages, was revealed when the teen’s uncle, Matt Monroe, shared the incident on social media and reported it to the Ontario Provincial Police. The texts reportedly included the manager asking, "Do you want Indian bf?" and, after learning the teen’s brother was 25, offering payment to facilitate a marriage for immigration purposes.

Investigation and Police Response

The teen reportedly felt “devastated” by the incident and resigned from her positions at local stores following the messages. Authorities are investigating potential marriage fraud and are seeking to speak with both the manager and the individual identified as her brother. No charges have been filed at this stage.

Company Statement

The company clarified that franchisees independently manage their staff and confirmed the manager was immediately terminated:

"The restaurant owner terminated the manager involved soon after becoming aware of the completely unacceptable situation on the team," a spokesperson said.

Legal Implications

Under Section 292 of Canada’s Criminal Code, procuring or aiding in a feigned marriage is an indictable offense, punishable by up to five years in prison. The law states:

"Every person who procures or knowingly aids in procuring a feigned marriage between themselves and another person is guilty of (a) an indictable offence and liable to imprisonment for a term of not more than five years; or (b) an offence punishable on summary conviction."