ARCHIVED - Ministers Toews and Kenney comment on immigration fraud charges

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June 19, 2012 – Ottawa, Ontario - The Honourable Vic Toews, Minister of Public Safety, and the Honourable Jason Kenney, Minister of Citizenship, Immigration and Multiculturalism, made the following statement today commending the Canada Border Services Agency for its work leading to charges against a number of individuals for immigration fraud in Montreal and Winnipeg. CBSA today announced that in Montreal, Carol Massoud appeared in court, charged with 61 offences under the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act (IRPA) and the Criminal Code, including inducing, aiding or abetting individuals to misrepresent themselves to the Government of Canada for immigration purposes, and with possessing property obtained by crime. In Winnipeg last week, two individuals, Bradley Jacobson and Kendall Schmidt, were charged with 23 counts and eight counts respectively under the IRPA and the Criminal Code.

"Immigration fraud creates a stain on our entire immigration service. Many people come to this country seeking legitimate representation to assist them in their immigration efforts – and I commend the Canada Border Services Agency for its efforts in preventing people from becoming victims of immigration fraud," stated Minister Toews.

"The CBSA is to be congratulated for its ongoing efforts to investigate immigration fraud cases such as this one," said Minister Kenney. "Canada has the world's most generous immigration system, but our generosity does not extend to fraudsters who intend to take advantage of our country. That is why our government is committed to catching and punishing fraudulent immigration consultants."

Bill C-35, which came into force last June, makes it an offence for anyone other than an accredited immigration representative to conduct business, for a fee or other consideration, at any stage of an immigration application or proceeding. It also increases penalties and fines for unauthorized representation and allows for more government oversight in order to improve the way in which immigration consultants are regulated.

For more information on the individuals charged, consult the following CBSA links:

For information on Bill C-35, consult the Citizenship and Immigration link: http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/department/media/backgrounders/2011/2011-06-28a.asp

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Information:
Media Relations
Public Safety Canada
613-991-0657

Media Relations
Citizenship and Immigration Canada
(613) 952-1650

Media Relations
Canada Border Services Agency
(613) 957-6500

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