Maple News reports that Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has introduced a proposal to establish a compensation fund aimed at supporting individuals harmed by dishonest immigration consultants.
The announcement is included in a series of draft regulatory changes published in the Canada Gazette, focusing on strengthening the oversight and governance of the College of Immigration and Citizenship Consultants. Created in 2021, the College acts as the official regulatory body for immigration and citizenship consultants in Canada, with a core mission to protect public interest.
The proposed fund would enable clients who have suffered financial losses due to fraudulent actions by licensed consultants to receive compensation. According to IRCC estimates, the fund could issue 146 payments in its first operational period, averaging approximately $4,652 per case. Over the first ten periods, the total disbursement could reach up to $5.76 million.
Under current rules, if the College’s Discipline Committee confirms that a consultant’s dishonest conduct caused financial harm, the affected client is entitled to direct compensation without needing to apply. The proposed updates would broaden eligibility and also clarify when an application is required. For instance, compensation applications would be necessary if the financial loss was not determined by the committee or if a consultant’s license was revoked before the case could proceed to review.
Additionally, the draft regulations outline plans for comprehensive management and financial oversight of the fund, ensuring accountability and sustainable operation.
This move signals Canada’s commitment to reinforcing trust and transparency in its immigration advisory system, especially as demand for immigration services continues to grow. By offering financial redress to victims, the IRCC is aiming to deter fraudulent consultants and provide relief to individuals who trusted the wrong advisors in their immigration journey.
Maple News will continue monitoring these developments as they progress toward implementation.