Ottawa, August 18, 2010 — New rules to strengthen Canada’s Temporary Foreign Worker Program were announced today by the Minister of Citizenship, Immigration and Multiculturalism.
Changes that were initially published in the Canada Gazette Part 1 on October 9, 2009 are now being implemented.
“The government is taking action to protect temporary foreign workers, including live-in caregivers, from potential abuse and exploitation,” said Minister Jason Kenney. “We owe it to them, their employers and all Canadians to ensure that the program is fair and equitable. After all, they are an essential element of Canada’s economic success.”
“These changes represent an important step. Temporary foreign workers help the Canadian economy by filling labour needs in sectors where Canadians or permanent residents are not readily available,” said Diane Finley, Minister of Human Resources and Skills Development. “Our government is taking action to improve the integrity of the program while ensuring that these people are afforded the necessary protections.”
Highlights of the changes, which come into effect on April 1, 2011, include:
•a more rigorous assessment of the genuineness of the job offer;
•a two-year prohibition from hiring temporary foreign workers for employers who fail to meet their commitments to workers with respect to wages, working conditions and occupation; and
•a limit on the length of time a temporary foreign worker may work in Canada before returning home.
Employers seeking to hire temporary foreign workers, including live-in caregivers, will now be assessed against past compliance with program requirements before authorization can be granted. Employers found to have violated worker rights may be refused authorization to hire a foreign worker.
Canada’s Temporary Foreign Worker Program helps address temporary labour shortages by allowing employers to hire foreign workers when sufficient numbers of Canadian workers are not readily available. Without access to temporary foreign labour, many small businesses would not be able to function and would be forced into insolvency.
Wednesday, August 18, 2010
Tuesday, June 8, 2010
Kenney tables bill to crack down on crooked immigration consultants
OTTAWA - Immigration Minister Jason Kenney is tabling new legislation to crack down on unscrupulous consultants who exploit Canada's immigration system.
The bill targets consultants who charge a fee for immigration advice, but also encourage applicants to lie or make up stories about persecution in their home countries.
"While most immigration consultants working in Canada are legitimate and ethical, it is clear that immigration fraud remains a widespread threat to the integrity of Canada's immigration system," Kenney told reporters.
Kenney says the bill would make it a crime for unauthorized people to charge such fees. It would also amend existing immigration and refugee law so that only authorized consultants, lawyers and notaries in good standing could charge immigrant fees.
The minister said he also wants to set up a new body to regulate immigration consultants and possibly replace the existing Canadian Society of Immigration Consultants.
The bill would also close a loophole that for now prevents authorities from sharing information about immigration consultants.
"Crooked immigration consultants victimize people who dream of immigrating to Canada," Kenney said.
"Worse still, there is evidence that these individuals encourage prospective immigrants to lie on their immigration applications, to concoct bogus stories about persecution when making refugee claims, or to enter into sham marriages with Canadian citizens and permanent residents."
Such abuse undermines the integrity of Canada's immigration system, Kenney said.
The government is particularly concerned about so-called "ghost" consultants who charge huge fees and deceitfully promise immigrants high-paying jobs or fast-tracked visas.
New Democrat MP Olivia Chow called the legislation a step in the right direction, but only if there are resources to enforce the law.
"For too long the Conservatives have been soft on crimes committed by fake consultants who take advantage of innocent people wanting to make Canada their new home," said Chow.
"We need a regulatory body that has integrity and commands the public trust. We need to have the muscle to enforce the regulations and protect new immigrants from being ripped off."
The bill targets consultants who charge a fee for immigration advice, but also encourage applicants to lie or make up stories about persecution in their home countries.
"While most immigration consultants working in Canada are legitimate and ethical, it is clear that immigration fraud remains a widespread threat to the integrity of Canada's immigration system," Kenney told reporters.
Kenney says the bill would make it a crime for unauthorized people to charge such fees. It would also amend existing immigration and refugee law so that only authorized consultants, lawyers and notaries in good standing could charge immigrant fees.
The minister said he also wants to set up a new body to regulate immigration consultants and possibly replace the existing Canadian Society of Immigration Consultants.
The bill would also close a loophole that for now prevents authorities from sharing information about immigration consultants.
"Crooked immigration consultants victimize people who dream of immigrating to Canada," Kenney said.
"Worse still, there is evidence that these individuals encourage prospective immigrants to lie on their immigration applications, to concoct bogus stories about persecution when making refugee claims, or to enter into sham marriages with Canadian citizens and permanent residents."
Such abuse undermines the integrity of Canada's immigration system, Kenney said.
The government is particularly concerned about so-called "ghost" consultants who charge huge fees and deceitfully promise immigrants high-paying jobs or fast-tracked visas.
New Democrat MP Olivia Chow called the legislation a step in the right direction, but only if there are resources to enforce the law.
"For too long the Conservatives have been soft on crimes committed by fake consultants who take advantage of innocent people wanting to make Canada their new home," said Chow.
"We need a regulatory body that has integrity and commands the public trust. We need to have the muscle to enforce the regulations and protect new immigrants from being ripped off."
Tuesday, February 9, 2010
Canadian Society of Immigration Consultants Announces New Initiatives to Combat Ghost Immigration Agents
Toronto – As part of National Immigration Protection Day the Canadian Society of Immigration Consultants (CSIC) announced new initiatives today to protect consumers from ghost immigration agents.
Ghost agents provide immigration services without holding the mandatory CSIC membership. They don’t have to prove their competence and they’re not accountable to anyone.
“Immigrants come to Canada because we have a reputation for protecting the vulnerable. And yet many immigrants arrive here only to be exploited by a ghost agent,” said John Ryan, CSIC Chair and Acting CEO. “Our mandate is to protect consumers of immigration consulting services through the accreditation of our members. Today we’re taking further action to protect consumers from these unscrupulous individuals.”
CSIC is taking ghost agents head-on with its national advertising campaign. The ads feature the image of a shark eating a seal, a startling reminder that ghost agents see consumers as their prey.
The ads promote CSIC’s new toll free referral line, which makes it easier than ever for immigrants to find a fully accredited Certified Canadian Immigration Consultant 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.
Unfortunately ghost agents have been able to thrive by exploiting legal loopholes. Today, CSIC released detailed recommendations for the Federal government that would help put ghost agents out of business.
“We’re doing our part to fight the ghost agent problem. We look forward to working with the government to put an end to the serious problem of ghost agents,” said Ryan.
The Canadian Society of Immigration Consultants is the professional regulatory body for immigration consultants in Canada. Established in 2004 it currently has more than 1600 members. CSIC’s mandate is to protect consumers of immigration consulting services. Consequently, it is responsible for ensuring the education, competency testing and the discipline of its members. CSIC also requires its members to carry errors and omissions insurance and to contribute to a compensation fund
Ghost agents provide immigration services without holding the mandatory CSIC membership. They don’t have to prove their competence and they’re not accountable to anyone.
“Immigrants come to Canada because we have a reputation for protecting the vulnerable. And yet many immigrants arrive here only to be exploited by a ghost agent,” said John Ryan, CSIC Chair and Acting CEO. “Our mandate is to protect consumers of immigration consulting services through the accreditation of our members. Today we’re taking further action to protect consumers from these unscrupulous individuals.”
CSIC is taking ghost agents head-on with its national advertising campaign. The ads feature the image of a shark eating a seal, a startling reminder that ghost agents see consumers as their prey.
The ads promote CSIC’s new toll free referral line, which makes it easier than ever for immigrants to find a fully accredited Certified Canadian Immigration Consultant 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.
Unfortunately ghost agents have been able to thrive by exploiting legal loopholes. Today, CSIC released detailed recommendations for the Federal government that would help put ghost agents out of business.
“We’re doing our part to fight the ghost agent problem. We look forward to working with the government to put an end to the serious problem of ghost agents,” said Ryan.
The Canadian Society of Immigration Consultants is the professional regulatory body for immigration consultants in Canada. Established in 2004 it currently has more than 1600 members. CSIC’s mandate is to protect consumers of immigration consulting services. Consequently, it is responsible for ensuring the education, competency testing and the discipline of its members. CSIC also requires its members to carry errors and omissions insurance and to contribute to a compensation fund
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