OTTAWA - The federal government has opened a new college to regulate immigration consultants and armed it with stronger authorities than the past regulator.
Potential immigrants and refugees often rely on consultants to help them navigate Canada's systems.
The College of Immigration and Citizenship Consultants officially opened on Nov. 23, and replaces the previous regulator, the Immigration Consultants of Canada Regulatory Council.
The government says the college is intended to root out the few unscrupulous actors that exploit the system and take advantage of people.
It has been offered several new powers the previous regulator did not have to investigate professional misconduct and discipline licensees, and is subject to government oversight.
The college will have the ability to request court injunctions to address unlicensed actors providing immigration or citizenship advice without authorization, enter offices to gather evidence, and compel witnesses to testify before the discipline committee.
