Ottawa, May 18, 2012 — Citizenship, Immigration and Multiculturalism Minister Jason Kenney offered his appreciation today to the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) for their ongoing efforts to investigate fraud in Canada’s immigration system.
The CBSA has issued two warrants for the arrest of a Halifax, Nova Scotia, immigration consultant and two of his employees for allegedly counselling people to commit residency fraud.
“I commend the CBSA for its great work in this major investigation,” said Minister Kenney. “Canadian citizenship is not for sale. I encourage anyone who has information regarding citizenship fraud to report it.”
The three individuals are being charged under the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act with counselling and assisting foreign nationals, through fraudulent means, in maintaining their Canadian permanent resident status or applying for Canadian citizenship. Warrants have been issued and although these individuals are currently outside of the country, they will be arrested upon their return.
“Unscrupulous consultants bring misery to their victims, so all levels of government and law enforcement must continue to work diligently to ensure that those who commit fraud are caught and punished,” added Minister Kenney. “Our Government introduced and passed Bill C-35, which cracks down on crooked consultants and increases the penalties and fines.”
Bill C-35, which came into force last June, makes it an offence for anyone other than an accredited immigration representative to conduct business, for a fee or other consideration, at any stage of an immigration application or proceeding. It also increases penalties and fines for unauthorized representation and allows for more government oversight in order to improve the way in which immigration consultants are regulated.
Cases involving false representation, fraud or knowingly concealing material circumstances in the citizenship process should be referred to the citizenship fraud tip line at CIC’s Call Centre at 1-888-242-2100 (in Canada only, 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. Eastern Time, Monday through Friday). People from overseas can contact the nearest Canadian visa office. Tips may also be reported by email at Citizenship-fraud-tips@cic.gc.ca.
All other types of fraud tips related to immigration should be reported to the CBSA Border Watch Tip Line at 1-888-502-9060. The CBSA is responsible for enforcing the provisions of the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act.
Photos of Minister Kenney are available online.
For further information (media only), please contact:
Ana Curic
Minister’s Office
Citizenship and Immigration Canada
613-954-1064
Media Relations
Communications Branch
Citizenship and Immigration Canada
613-952-1650
CIC-Media-Relations@cic.gc.ca
Building a stronger Canada: Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC) strengthens Canada’s economic, social and cultural prosperity, helping ensure Canadian safety and security while managing one of the largest and most generous immigration programs in the world.
