Syed Khan – 11 August 2021,
Today, the Honourable Marco E. L. Mendicino, Minister of Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship, announced that the College of Immigration and Citizenship Consultants will officially be opened on November 23, 2021.
The College will become the official regulator of immigration and citizenship consultants across the country, improving oversight and rooting out scamming criminals. It is described to be “an arm’s-length institution”, regulating the profession by protecting both the public and consultants in good standing from those who take advantage of vulnerable people. The creation of the College is a significant part of the government’s efforts to fight fraud in our immigration system. It builds on progressive action over the previous years, including an investment of $50 million to fight fraud and new educational tools to help applicants identify fraudulent activity.
Canada is one of the best countries to settle in and travel to in the world, with millions of people from over +70 countries hoping to come here and visit, work or build a life for themselves. To navigate the immigration system and get your application processed efficiently, many people turn to agents or agencies who offer consultant services for help.
While most of these consultants operate without dishonesty or fraudulent practices, sometimes unscrupulous actors can exploit this system and take advantage of innocent, unknowing people. These people trust and spend a lot of time, energy, and money to come to Canada. This is why the Government of Canada is taking meaningful action to put an end to immigration fraud and protect those who wish to come here.
What will be the objective of The College?
- The College will regulate immigration and citizenship consultants under a statutory framework put in place by the College of Immigration and Citizenship Consultants Act.
- It will have significant new powers and tools to investigate professional misconduct and to discipline its licensees.
- It will be subject to appropriate government oversight.
- It fulfills a mandate commitment to strengthen oversight, uphold the integrity of Canada’s immigration system and protect all those who wish to come here.
- The College will have the ability to request court injunctions to address unlicensed actors providing immigration or citizenship advice without authorization.
- The College will have the authorities necessary for the regulation of consultants, in particular tools to investigate professional misconduct and discipline its licensees. This includes the power to enter the premises of a consultant or service for the purpose of gathering information to support an investigation and the power to compel witnesses to appear and testify before its Discipline Committee.
Quotes from the Government officials
“Those who wish to come to Canada deserve honest, professional and ethical advice—and we have a responsibility to ensure they’re getting it. Our new College of Immigration and Citizenship Consultants is a major milestone in these efforts. The creation of the new College delivers on our promise to better protect newcomers and bolsters Canada’s immigration system so it can continue to be the envy of the world.”
– The Honourable Marco E. L. Mendicino, P.C., M.P., Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship
The College’s initial board of directors will be comprised of 5 public interest directors and 4 members of the College (consultants). Public interest directors will be appointed by the Minister of Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship prior to the College opening.
A code of professional conduct for the College is currently in development as part of the regulatory process. The code will play a major role in establishing and maintaining strong ethical and professional standards that all licensees must abide by. Obtaining the statutory authority to regulate itself under the College Act marks a key milestone in the development of this growing profession.
All these changes undertaken by the Government of Canada will support better protection of Canadians, newcomers, and licensed immigration consultants of good standing.
If you are looking to Study, Work, Visit or Migrate to Canada, talk to I Can Help Immigration Services, Canada’s No.1 Immigration & Visa Company to get the best help you need
