PRESS RELEASE

May 25, 2012, 11:10 a.m. EDT

TORONTO, ONTARIO, May 25, 2012 (MARKETWIRE via COMTEX) -- New rules making it easier to investigate the professional or ethical misconduct of an immigration representative are now in effect, Minister of Citizenship, Immigration and Multiculturalism Jason Kenney announced today.

Until recently, when Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC) became aware of misconduct by an immigration representative-either an immigration consultant, a lawyer, a paralegal or a notary-the Department did not have the authority to share this information with the appropriate governing body.

"Sharing information on the misconduct of an immigration representative with the regulatory body will help protect the integrity of our immigration system, and immigrants themselves," said the Minister.

These regulatory provisions allow officials from CIC, the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) and the Immigration and Refugee Board (IRB) to provide information regarding an immigration representative's professional or ethical conduct to people governing or investigating that conduct.

When CIC, CBSA or the IRB believes that immigration representatives have contravened their professional or ethical obligations, it can share this information with the governing body, in a manner consistent with the Privacy Act.

The information-sharing provisions were published in the Canada Gazette (Part II) and came into force on April 10, 2012. Recently, CIC officials shared with the Immigration Consultants of Canada Regulatory Council (ICCRC)-the governing body for immigration consultants-credible information that the Department received on one of its members.

Phil Mooney, Chief Executive Officer of the ICCRC, joined Minister Kenney at today's announcement. Earlier in the day, the Minister and Mr. Mooney met to discuss how cooperation on information sharing will help the ICCRC and other governing bodies better regulate their membership.

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