Maple News reports that Canada is preparing sweeping reforms to crack down on fraudulent immigration consultants and enhance protections for newcomers and employers. The federal government is introducing new regulations to boost oversight, enforce accountability, and ensure fair treatment for clients harmed by unethical or criminal practices in the immigration advisory sector.
Immigration Minister Lena Metlege Diab is spearheading draft regulations aimed at strengthening the authority of the College of Immigration and Citizenship Consultants (CICC). The proposed measures aim to streamline the College’s ability to investigate misconduct, enforce disciplinary action, and provide financial compensation to victims of fraud.
According to a policy draft published for consultation and scheduled for implementation in 2025, the CICC would gain enhanced powers to investigate consultants, discipline wrongdoers, and issue compensation from a new client protection fund. These changes come in response to repeated incidents of job-selling schemes, falsified documents, and fake job offers tied to consultant misconduct.
Under the proposed framework, licensed consultants could face College fines of up to $50,000 per violation. Meanwhile, the federal government intends to enforce additional administrative monetary penalties under Canada’s Immigration and Refugee Protection Act (IRPA), targeting both authorized and unauthorized paid representatives. In serious cases of misrepresentation, penalties could reach up to $1.5 million, including public disclosures of violators’ identities.
Enforcement efforts have intensified in recent months. In May 2025, the CICC revoked the license of Hossein Amirahmadi for orchestrating a job-selling operation and fabricating payroll records. He was ordered to pay $32,200 in restitution, a $50,000 fine, and $49,100 in legal costs — a landmark case that underscored the need for clearer investigative and compensation mechanisms.
Criminal prosecutions are also underway. The Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) has secured convictions in cities such as Winnipeg and Edmonton in the past year, involving consultants charged with producing forged documents, fake job offers, and advising on misrepresentation — offences that carry serious immigration and legal consequences.
The proposed changes emphasize preventive action for clients and employers. Maple News recommends verifying a consultant’s licensing status through the CICC public register, avoiding any promises of guaranteed results, and keeping a record of contracts, receipts, and communication. This paper trail could become vital when seeking redress under the forthcoming compensation fund.
When asked why the regulations are being introduced now, officials pointed to repeated findings of misconduct and gaps in restitution systems exposed during recent legal proceedings. The new rules are designed to protect vulnerable applicants while holding bad actors accountable.
Clients who fall victim to consultant fraud will be eligible for compensation under the revised framework. The operation of the compensation fund, including eligibility and payment criteria, will be governed by detailed regulatory guidelines to ensure quicker and more transparent resolutions.
Maple News will continue to monitor the rollout of these regulatory changes and provide updates as the government finalizes the rules in 2025.