Two unions related to the mining field sought to challenge the company’s right to hire foreign workers in court. They contended that the company was overlooking qualified Canadian workers in favor of foreign labour, something that is not allowed under Canadian law. They also sought to challenge the fact that the HD Mining had received government approval in the form of a Labour Market Opinion for the workers.

Ultimately, the case was dismissed because the federal court judge ruled that the government’s decision to award Labour Market Opinions for the workers was in fact valid. The case helped to spark a nationwide debate on the role of temporary foreign workers in the Canadian economy.

HD Mining has hired this specific group of foreign workers for a project on the Murray River. It is expected to be a $300-million undertaking.