Prospective Immigrants Dept: This marks a significant shift from the previous system of self-regulation of the immigration consulting industry. The Canadian Society of Immigration Consultants CSIC , a professional body of roughly 1,600 members, has been independent of government since its creation by the Liberals in 2004. Often criticized by members unhappy with its leadership, CSIC is now on the verge of being sidelined, although the board chair said CSIC plans to apply for its old job under the public selection process, according to Globe And Mail. “The bill would make it a crime for unauthorized individuals to provide immigration advice for a fee and this criminal offence has teeth. It will impose serious penalties: up to two years in jail or a $50,000 fine or both,” Mr. Kenney told reporters in Ottawa. He added that he also intends to pressure foreign governments to pursue unscrupulous consultants working within their borders who counsel prospective immigrants to Canada to submit fraudulent applications. His moves were well-received by NDP MP Olivia Chow, a long-time campaigner on this issue. Ms. Chow told the Canadian Press she wants to ensure the proposed reforms will give police and border agencies a mandate to enforce the new laws and citizenship and Immigration Minister Jason Kenney said he will take immediate steps to address a “lack of public confidence” in the regulation of immigration consultants by launching a public process to select a new regulator. The new regulator will be subject to greater government oversight, will be obliged to share information with government and will be accountable for establishing effective disciplinary procedures, Mr. Kenney said. The announcement came as Mr. Kenney unveiled the Cracking Down on Crooked Consultants Act, which would make it a crime for a person who is not a lawyer, notary or member of a recognized immigration consultants body to accept a fee for providing immigration advice. The new provisions will close a loophole that had been exploited by unethical immigration consultants, Mr. Kenney said. Unethical consultants, known as “ghosts” because their names don’t appear on the documents their clients submit, are often accused of charging high fees for advice that leads prospective immigrants to submit fraudulent applications. As
reported in the news.
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