**Title: Police Investigate Alleged Marriage Fraud at Tim Hortons**
The Ontario Provincial Police are investigating a case in Picton, Ontario, involving a female manager at Tim Hortons who allegedly offered a 17-year-old employee between $15,000 and $20,000 to assist her brother in obtaining permanent residency in Canada. The manager has since been terminated following the revelation of this incident, which Tim Hortons described as "unacceptable."
Matt Monroe, the uncle of the alleged victim, expressed his outrage in a Facebook post, stating, "Picton and Wellington Tim Hortons have lost my respect and my business. I will never step foot in there again." He detailed that the manager had been pressuring his niece to marry her 25-year-old brother, despite her being underage. Monroe claimed that even after she rejected the proposal, the manager continued to push the idea, suggesting that the financial incentive could help her brother remain in Canada.
An OPP spokesperson confirmed that the Prince Edward OPP Detachment began a marriage fraud investigation on September 9, 2025. The spokesperson noted that the investigation is ongoing and that the Canada Border Services Agency has been notified.
In a related incident, a video shared on social media showed two OPP officers at the Tim Hortons location, where they addressed a situation involving an independent journalist. The officers clarified that the journalist was not trespassing and had the right to be present.
Under Canadian law, a "feigned marriage" is illegal and can result in a prison sentence of up to five years. Additionally, Ontario law requires individuals aged 16 or 17 to obtain consent from a parent or guardian or a court order to marry.
Monroe's Facebook post included screenshots of alleged messages exchanged between his niece and the manager. In these messages, the manager reportedly asked if the teenager wanted an "Indian boyfriend" and mentioned her brother's need for a girlfriend to help him secure permanent residency, offering financial compensation for her assistance.
Tim Hortons stated that their restaurants are independently owned and operated by franchisees, who manage their own staff. The franchise owner terminated the manager involved as soon as he learned of the situation. Calls to the Tim Hortons location for further comment went unanswered.