Federal government to regulate and root out immigration fraud

OTTAWA — The federal government is establishing a college for immigration and citizenship consultants to become the official regulator of the profession across the country.

The federal Immigration Department says the college will open in November and will have the needed legal tools to investigate professional misconduct and discipline its licensees to root out immigration fraud and protect people wishing to come to Canada.

Immigration Minister Marco Mendicino says immigrants should receive professional and honest advice as they look for information about Canada’s immigration system.

He says the new college will protect newcomers and those seeking to immigrate and will help uphold the integrity of Canada’s immigration system.

The federal government had passed a new law in Parliament last year to regulate the work of citizenship and immigration consultants.

The law gives the college the power to enter the premises of a consultant for the purpose of gathering information to support an investigation, and compelling witnesses to appear and testify before its discipline committee.

The college will also be able to request court injunctions to address unlicensed actors providing immigration or citizenship advice without authorization.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Aug. 10, 2021.

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This story was produced with the financial assistance of the Facebook and Canadian Press News Fellowship.

The Canadian Press

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