BRAMPTON — The Ontario government is moving forward with legislation aimed at cracking down on fraudulent immigration representatives who exploit newcomers. If passed, the bill would enforce strict standards for those assisting individuals or employers with Ontario’s Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP) applications, introducing significant penalties for violations, including fines and multi-year or lifetime bans.
David Piccini, Ontario’s Minister of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development, emphasized the importance of protecting vulnerable newcomers. “Immigrants come to Ontario to work hard, support their families, and contribute to a stronger province. Unfortunately, a few bad actors prey on their vulnerability, jeopardizing their immigration status and scamming them out of thousands of dollars. We will soon introduce legislation to enforce standards for immigration representatives and crack down on fraud,” said Piccini.
Under the proposed legislation, immigration representatives will be required to meet clear standards, including providing written contracts with applicants, proof of their registration or licensing, and ensuring applicants have access to their application files. The bill will introduce tougher penalties for fraud-related offences, including a minimum three-year ban for representatives engaging in fraudulent practices, with a lifetime ban for serious offences such as human trafficking or withholding passports.
The legislation also proposes new compliance measures, such as fines for misrepresentations to the OINP, even if no payment was made for services. The province has already increased penalties for dishonest representatives and employers, raising fines from $2,000 to $10,000.
This move is part of a broader effort to tackle immigration fraud and build on the government’s previous “Working for Workers Acts” aimed at protecting Ontarians from exploitation. The government continues to take steps to ensure Ontario remains a safe, welcoming place for those seeking to build a future.
