Canada Failing to Crack Down on Fake Immigration Consultants

Canada’s Federal Government Failing To Crack Down on Fake Immigration Consultants

Ottawa gave itself the authority through an omnibus budget bill to implement a compliance regime to crack down on fraudulent immigration consultants five years ago. However, the Trudeau government is now under fire for having failed to deliver any substantive results during that time. This news came to the forefront after it was recently revealed the regime in question is not yet in force.

🕵️‍♂️ The Student Visa Scandal
Last year, dozens of international students applying for Canadian PR faced the possibility of deportation when it was revealed that the acceptance letters to post-secondary institutions submitted with their study permit applications were faked by a single unlicensed “ghost” immigration consultant. Intervention by former Immigration Minister Sean Fraser granted them temporary residence permits instead.

💼💰 The Jobs-For-Sale Scam and Other Frauds
Both licensed and unlicensed immigration consultants have been implicated in a jobs-for-sale scam, wherein people wishing to move to Canada to work have been illegally charged thousands of dollars for a job reserved for an immigrant because no Canadian could be found for that position. This and the student visa scandal are part of a broader pattern of fraudulent immigration consultant-related offences, with 153 individuals having been charged between May 1, 2019, and April 9, 2024.

🛡️ A Call to Action
The parliamentary secretary to Immigration Minister Marc Miller, Paul Chiang, said in a reply to critics that delays in implementing the regime were partly due to the pandemic. In the meantime, a Government of Canada  fact sheet on this matter reads that if someone hires a consultant to represent them for immigration to Canada, they must be licensed by the College of Immigration and Citizenship Consultants or (lawyers licensed by a province). IRCC does not accept applications submitted by unlicensed consultants, as they are not held to the same ethical standards as licensed lawyers or consultants.

🤔 Why it Matters
It is important to remain cautious about this fact, as the risks of engaging with unlicensed consultants are dire: financial loss, application denial, and even bans from entering Canada. These could risk applicants’ chances of coming to Canada both for the present and the future.

TRENDING NEWS

• The escalating cost of living in Canada finds its roots in labour shortages that are prompting wage hikes and price increases across industries, and which could be alleviated in part by more immigration. Tradespeople are in particular demand across the country, with provinces like British Columbia reporting a 9% uptick in the construction sector in parallel to a 7% fall in the number of tradespeople to get that work done. Ottawa’s decision to hold immigration levels at 500,000 for both 2025 and 2026, along with its cutback on temporary resident numbers, is receiving fierce criticism. As the nation grapples with demographic shifts and housing challenges, the need for transparent data on temporary migration becomes imperative for informed decision-making and sustainable growth. Read more

• Recent data from Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada reveals a decline in spousal sponsorship immigration compared to last year. January 2024 saw 30.8% fewer spouses immigrating compared to January 2023, with the change from January to February of this year being a 21.7% fall in numbers. Despite Ontario leading in arrivals in the first two months of 2024, it witnessed a 25.9% lower arrival number compared to the same time last year - a trend that is in line with all other Canadian provinces. Understanding these shifts is crucial for sponsors and partners navigating immigration to Canada. As trends evolve, staying informed ensures smoother transitions for families reuniting in their new Canadian homes. Read more

• Immigration Minister Marc Miller emphasizes the need for accountability from post-secondary institutions in managing international student cohorts. Citing the recent cap of 606,250 on study permits, he underscored the government's commitment to strengthening the system. Provincial allocations have been introduced to regulate applications, with exemptions for specific student categories. Concerns from educational institutions highlight potential drawbacks of the cap, such as sending an unfavourable message to prospective international students. As Canada navigates housing challenges, collaboration between stakeholders remains vital for fostering a welcoming environment for international students. Read more

• Nova Scotia enacted an indefinite pause on immigration applications for the food services and accommodation sector. Despite doubled applications, federal approval limits remained fixed at 3,500 per year. While applications submitted by a specified deadline continued as usual, employers are encouraged to explore alternative programs for essential skilled labour. Options include the Atlantic Immigration Program and Federal Skilled Worker Program. The Nova Scotia Nominee Program offers various streams targeting occupations in high demand, providing avenues for skilled immigrants to contribute to the province's workforce. Read more

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NUMBERS TO KNOW

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