Ottawa : Regulation of Canada’s immigration consultant profession is changing significantly with the launch of the College of Immigration and Citizenship Consultants (the College).
This new regulatory college has enhanced powers for licensing, oversight, investigation and enforcement of immigration and citizenships consultants in Canada and abroad.
Sean Fraser, Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship, marked the official opening of the College on November 24 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. The College regulates immigration and citizenship consultants under the College of Immigration and Citizenship Consultants Act. It has new powers and tools to investigate misconduct and to discipline consultants.
The College can also protect the public from unlicensed consultants by
• 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. “It is the dawn of a new era in regulation of the immigration consulting profession,” said John Murray, President & CEO of the College.
“This is the culmination of months of research, consultation and preparation in addition to an Act of Parliament.”
The new College 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. Existing RCICs and RISIAs will immediately become licensees of the new College.
College licensees will be required to complete annual Continuing Professional Development (CPD) requirements and an annual practice assessment.
Sean Fraser said: “We have an obligation to protect those who wish to come to our country—and we’re fulfilling it. The new College of Immigration and Citizenship Consultants will ensure that aspiring Canadians get the professional and honest advice they deserve, and strengthen our immigration system so it can continue building the Canada of the future.”
“Canada has a higher immigration rate per population than most other countries and the College will play an important role in protecting immigrants,” said the Honourable Sean Fraser, Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship. “The College will also support the renewal of Canada’s population and workforce as an important participant in the immigration and refugee system,” he added.
• The opening date of the College was established in a Ministerial Order, which was published on August 14, 2021. The College is an arm’s-length institution, regulating the profession and protecting both the public and consultants in good standing.
• College entry-to-practice requirements include the successful completion of a new Graduate Diploma Program being offered by the Faculties of Law at Queen’s University and the Université de Montréal.