OTTAWA, April 8, 2004 - Judy Sgro, Minister of
Citizenship and Immigration, and Anne McLellan, Deputy
Prime Minister and Minister of Public Safety and Emergency
Preparedness, today announced new regulations that will,
on April 13, 2004, stipulate that the Government of Canada
will only recognize an immigration representative who
is a member of a self-regulating association.
"It
is no secret that some individuals prey upon people
who wish to come to Canada, by providing bad information
and poor advice, and charging exorbitant fees,"
said Minister Sgro. "With these new regulations,
everyone will have access to accredited, qualified and
ethical representation."
The
regulations, to be published on April 14, 2004, in the
Canada Gazette, will define who may, for a fee,
represent, advise or consult with an individual who
is the subject of any application or proceeding related
to their immigration or refugee status. Under the new
regulations, only the following people may act as paid
representatives:
- Immigration
consultants who are members in good standing of the
Canadian Society of Immigration Consultants.
-
Lawyers who are members in good standing of a Canadian
law society and students-at-law under their supervision.
- Notaries
who are members in good standing of the Chambre
des notaires du Québec and students-at-law
under their supervision.
The
Government of Canada does not oblige anyone to have a
representative. Furthermore, the regulations do not apply
to friends, family members or organizations that do not
charge a fee for providing advice and services.
.The
regulations affect individuals who pay a representative
to provide advice and assistance on immigration and
refugee matters with Citizenship and Immigration Canada
and in proceedings before the Immigration and Refugee
Board and the Canada Border Services Agency.
"Incidences of fraud and other questionable practices
should be greatly reduced, while at the same time increasing
the Canada Border Services Agency's ability to meet
its immigration enforcement mandate," said Minister
McLellan.
Individuals with applications or proceedings already
under way as of April 13, 2004, may continue to use
the services of their paid representative until April
13, 2008. After this date, if their representative is
not a member of one of the organizations listed above,
the individual may choose to either continue unrepresented
or hire an authorized representative.
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