CAPIC Seeks to Address Problems Posed by Unauthorized Immigration Practitioners via Strengthened Regulator

TORONTO, Oct. 23, 2017 /CNW/ - The Canadian Association of Professional Immigration Consultants (CAPIC) is eager to work closely with Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) to safeguard consumer protection within the immigration consulting industry, following Citizenship and Immigration Minister Ahmed Hussen's vow to address unauthorized practitioners and their threat to the integrity of the immigration system. 

On October 16, the Minister officially responded to the Standing Committee on Citizenship and Immigration's Report entitled Starting Again: Improving Government Oversight of Immigration Consultants, articulating the necessity for a strong system of oversight of authorized immigration and citizenship consultants, the importance of public confidence, and the need to provide more information to clients of authorized representatives so that they do not confuse them with unauthorized representatives.

CAPIC believes that self-regulation under federal statute will allow for appropriate actions to be taken when unauthorized practitioners threaten consumer confidence or operate outside the law. CAPIC will continue to collaborate with the Government of Canada on this issue and will work diligently to inform prospective immigrants of the threat posed by unauthorized representatives, ensuring public confidence is maintained.

"As always, CAPIC will continue to work very closely with both IRCC and the minister to strengthen current regulation of the profession and protect consumers. As president, I call upon all Regulated Canadian Immigration Consultants (RCICs) to volunteer in any capacity, so that we may safeguard our profession against the practices of unscrupulous individuals and organizations and maintain the high ethical standards set by our industry predecessors" – Donald Igbokwe, president of CAPIC.

About CAPIC
Created in December 2004, the Canadian Association of Professional Immigration Consultants (CAPIC) is the national advocacy group for Regulated Canadian Immigration Consultants (RCICs), founded on the pillars of Education, Information, Lobbying and Recognition. Its mission is to lead, connect, protect, and develop the profession, serving the best interest of its members.

SOURCE Canadian Association of Professional Immigration Consultants