The Ontario government is set to introduce legislation aimed at combating fraudulent practices by immigration representatives who exploit newcomers. If passed, the bill will enforce strict standards for representatives assisting with Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP) ) applications, including penalties like fines, multi-year bans, and lifetime bans for severe offenses.
Proposed measures include requiring written contracts between representatives and applicants, proof of registration or licensing, and transparent updates on application statuses. Penalties under the Ontario Immigration Act could include a three- to ten-year ban for fraud and lifetime bans for serious offenses like human trafficking. The government also plans to increase fines for misrepresentation, even if no payment was involved.
These efforts build on previous actions under the Working for Workers Acts, aiming to protect vulnerable immigrants, improve accountability, and maintain Ontario as an attractive destination for newcomers.
For more information, visit: Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development.