Government of Canada seeks candidates for regulator of immigration consultants

Ottawa, August 30, 2010 — Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC) has launched a process to identify a governing body to regulate immigration consultants, as part of a broader strategy to protect vulnerable would-be immigrants from fraud and crack down on crooked immigration consultants.

“We’re looking for a regulator who can support Canada’s long-term immigration objectives while working toward maintaining and building confidence in our immigration system,” said Jason Kenney, Minister of Citizenship, Immigration and Multiculturalism.

A call for submissions from interested candidates was published in the Canada Gazette on August 28, 2010, and posted on its website. Interested parties have until December 29, 2010, to deliver their submissions. Information on the selection factors being used to evaluate applications can be found in the attached backgrounder.

“On one hand, the successful candidate must show it can effectively investigate the conduct of its members and sanction those who don’t play by the rules,” added Minister Kenney. “On the other hand, it will need to show they understand how vulnerable people using the services of an immigration consultant can be. It will also need to understand the importance of ensuring that consultants respect Canada’s immigration laws.”

This selection process follows a notice of intent published on June 12, 2010, in the Canada Gazette, announcing CIC’s intention to launch a public process to identify a governing body to regulate immigration consultants. The notice solicited comments from the public before July 2. Selection factors were then developed taking into consideration the comments received.

Improved regulation of immigration consultants is part of a broader strategy announced at the introduction of Bill C-35, the Cracking Down on Crooked Consultants Act, in the House of Commons on June 8. The Bill proposes to strengthen the rules governing those who charge a fee for immigration advice; close immigration system loopholes currently exploited by crooked consultants; and improve the way in which immigration consultants are regulated. The Canadian Society of Immigration Consultants currently regulates immigration consultants across Canada.