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| Subject: Regulation of Immigration Consulatants |
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Conflict charged in immigration dispute
Consultants angry that agency has set up institute with identical board to sell them training programs
Mar 06, 2008 04:30 AM
Nicholas Keung
Jim Rankin
STAFF REPORTERS
Immigration consultants are up in arms after learning the agency set up to regulate them is selling training programs at a profit through a side entity with an identical board.
It´s the latest complaint about the four-year-old Canadian Society of Immigration Consultants (CSIC), which has been criticized as a weak vehicle for regulating an industry riddled with incompetence and fraud. Many consultants operate outside the CSIC framework, either unable to pass the required exams or objecting to the fees charged, even though immigration officials will not work with non-members.
Now, members are worried they´ll be compelled to enrol in the for-profit programs offered by the new Canadian Migration Institute (CMI) to get the required professional development credits. Some criticize what they see as a conflict of interest for the CSIC board´s nine members who also serve on the CMI´s board.
Phil Mooney, who heads an industry advocacy group representing 680 consultants, worries the Canadian Migration Institute could serve as "a retirement fund for CSIC (board) members."
"We are concerned that CMI is for-profit and the directors on both boards are identical," said Mooney, president of the Canadian Association of Professional Immigration Consultants, which is among several groups that offer credits. "We have no worry of competition, but we want it to be fair."
Consultants who contacted the Star said they´ve been afraid to speak out since the CSIC amended its code of conduct last spring. The change means any member who "discredits" the regulator could be guilty of professional misconduct.
Last year, the Star investigated the immigration consulting industry and CSIC, revealing that little had changed since CSIC´s creation to protect migrants from incompetent or unscrupulous advisers.
Two Toronto-based consultants, recalling accusations two years ago about poor governance and high remuneration for board members at CSIC, said they wondered where the new institute´s profits would go.
"Are they going to get paid or not paid to sit on the (CMI) board?" noted one veteran, who asked not to be identified. "We have written letters and complained to (former immigration minister) Monte Solberg and (Immigration Minister) Diane Finley, but there´s no political will to look into it. None. Zero."
Dissent, he said, is growing within CSIC, which has tried and failed four times since June to hold a general meeting ? it couldn´t get a 20 per cent quorum of its 1,200 members together.
CSIC chair John Ryan said the society decided to deliver direct training through the CMI because of a lack of programs in French.
"CMI is just another provider. It´s not the only provider. The individuals will have a choice," he said. "For us, it´s not an issue of competition. It´s about ensuring there´s an adequate amount of CPD (continuing professional development) credits out in the marketplace to train certified immigration consultants."
Ryan said CMI board members aren´t paid as yet. In future, he said, the regulator will appoint the institute´s board based on skills and expertise, and profits will return to the regulatory body´s coffers.
The Toronto Star investigative series `Lost in Migration´, including undercover video, can be seen at thestar.com/immigration.
NOT ALLOWED TO COMMENT!
Roy
www.cvinmmigration.com
[08-03-2008,17:34]
[**.15.49.68]
Roy |
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(in reply to: Regulation of Immigration Consulatants)
you may not be allowed to comment - but I am.
THIS SMELLS.
[08-03-2008,19:37]
[**.155.160.37]
Sharon |
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