Canada is one of the top destinations in the world, with millions of people from across the globe hoping to come here every year to settle, visit or work. To navigate the immigration system, many people turn to consultants or other services for help. While nearly all operate honestly, unscrupulous actors can exploit the system and take advantage of people. That’s why the Government of Canada is strengthening the regulation of immigration consultants to protect those who wish to come here.
Yesterday, the Honourable Sean Fraser, Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship, marked the official opening of the College of Immigration and Citizenship Consultants. The College is now the official regulator of immigration and citizenship consultants across the country. All paid consultants must be licensed by the College to work with Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada.
Immigration consultants celebrate the Opening of the College of Immigration and Citizenship as a new federal approved regulatory on 23, November, 2021
The opening of the College marks the culmination of a years-long advocacy effort by CAPIC to achieve federal statute and self-regulation for the consultancy profession. With the advent of the College, the protection of the public will be enhanced with improved safeguards.
CAPIC president said on behalf of all authorized Immigration consultant he would like to thank the Government of Canada and Minister Fraser and his predecessors for their work bringing the College to fruition. he also stated that we would also like to thank the many volunteers who worked tirelessly to achieve this objective, without whom we could not celebrate this achieve today.”
The new College has a mandate to protect the public and strengthen Canada’s immigration system. The College is authorized and has given full investigation power to investigate professional misconduct and discipline licensees ensuring greater accountability and increasing public confidence.
The Canadian Association of Professional Immigration Consultants (CAPIC) is the professional organization representing the interests of Canadian Immigration Consultants. The organization advocates for competency, ethical conduct, and consumer protection in the immigration consulting industry.
CAPIC’s mission is to lead, connect, protect, and develop the profession, serving the best interests of its members. It is the only association recognized by the Government of Canada as the voice of Canadian immigration and citizenship consultants.
The College regulates immigration and citizenship consultants under the College of Immigration and Citizenship Consultants Act. It has new powers and tools to investigate professional misconduct and to discipline consultants. The College can also protect the public from unlicensed consultants by
• entering a consultant’s premises to gather information for an investigation
• compelling witnesses to appear and testify before its Discipline Committee
• requesting court injunctions to address unlicensed actors providing immigration or citizenship advice without authorization
New, higher standards for consultants have also been introduced. Going forward, completing the new competency-based graduate diploma program will be the only way for aspiring consultants, who must already hold a bachelor’s degree, to enter the profession. College licensees must also complete annual continuing professional development requirements and an annual practice assessment.
The new College is a key part of the government’s efforts to fight fraud in Canada’s immigration system.
It builds on significant action over the past few years, including an investment of $50 million to fight fraud and new educational tools to help applicants identify fraudulent activity. It also fulfills a mandate commitment to strengthen oversight, uphold the integrity of Canada’s immigration system and protect all those who wish to come here.
New, higher standards for consultants have also been introduced. Going forward, completing the new competency-based graduate diploma program will be the only way for aspiring consultants, who must already hold a bachelor’s degree, to enter the profession. College licensees must also complete annual continuing professional development requirements and an annual practice assessment.
