Employers that break the rules of the Temporary Foreign Worker Program and the International Mobility Program face stiff new consequences, announced Canada’s Minister of Employment and Social Development Pierre Poilievre.

Metro reports the announcement follows claims by Quebec Labor Minister Sam Hamad that his federal counterpart agreed to talks aimed at easing frustration from some businesses that the program was excessively burdensome, a claim Poilievre quickly denied.

Employers that are found non-compliant with program conditions could be subject to financial penalties ranging from $500 to $100,000 per violation, and up to $1 million in a one-year period. In addition, the existing two-year ban from the programs will be replaced with bans of various lengths – including one, two, five and 10 years. Employers could face a permanent ban for the most serious violations.

The new consequences, are part of program changes made in June 2014 and will come into force on Dec. 1, 2015.

“The Harper government will not tolerate any abuse of the Temporary Foreign Worker Program or the International Mobility Program,” said Poilievre. “We are committed to protecting the Canadian labor market and economy as well as foreign workers. Employers who break the rules will face the full force of the law, including financial penalties up to $1 million and permanent bans from the programs.”

“Our government is committed to ensuring that Canadians are always considered first for available jobs,” said Chris Alexander, minister of citizenship and immigration. “Both the Temporary Foreign Worker Program and International Mobility Program are important avenues for international workers to come to Canada and gain experience in our labor market on a temporary basis. However, our government is dedicated to providing all Canadians with the tools and opportunities they need to become part of the competitive global workforce. We will not allow for abuses of our generous foreign worker programs, and we will ensure that those employers who do not respect the rules face the consequences.”