newsletter ICCRC is the national regulatory body designated by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada to regulate the immigration and citizenship consulting as well as the international student advising professions. Monday, September 5, 2016 – Edition 15

INSIDE THIS ISSUE Important Notice to RCICs who provide recruitment services in Nova Scotia AGM Reminder John McCallum wants to ‘substantially increase’ immigration to fill Canada’s labour needs Canada’s Immigration Detention Program to get $138M makeover Minister Goodale introduces new initiatives for a better, fairer immigration detention system Montréal Board of Trade wants 10,000 more immigrants a year by 2020 Ontario enhancing services for Refugees Ontario helping internationally trained immigrants find jobs Disciplinary Notices

IMPORTANT DATES September 5 October 14 November 6 November 12

Labour Day – All ICCRC offices closed Deadline to submit all required documents for next FSE/EPE exam FSE and EPE exams Annual General Meeting, Toronto

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Regulating Immigration Professionals. Protecting the Public.

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ICCRC NEWS IMPORTANT NOTICE TO RCICs WHO PROVIDE RECRUITMENT SERVICES IN NOVA SCOTIA The Nova Scotia department of Labour and Advanced Education may request detailed information about past business practices relating to recruitment as well as immigration services from RCICs who seek to renew their recruiter licence: As outlined in the Nova Scotia Labour Standards Code: Inquiries by Director 89K (1) The Director may make inquiries into and investigate the character, financial history and competence of (a) an applicant for a licence or a licence renewal; or (b) any person, including a corporation, partnership or other entity, associated with the business of the applicant, as necessary, to determine whether the applicant meets the requirements of this Act and the regulations. (2) Where a person who is the subject of an inquiry or investigation by the Director in subsection (1) is a corporation, partnership or other entity, the Director may inquire into or investigate the conduct of the officers, directors or partners of the corporation, partnership or other entity. (3) The Director may (a) require information or material from any person who is the subject of the inquiry or investigation; and (b) request information or material from any person who the Director has reason to believe can provide information or material relevant to the inquiry or investigation. (4) The Director may require that any information provided under subsection (3) be verified by statutory declaration. 2011, c. 19, s. 21. Refusal of licence 89P The Director may refuse to issue a licence or renew a licence to an applicant if (a) the applicant provides incomplete, false, misleading or inaccurate information in support of the application; (b) the applicant fails to meet any qualification or satisfy any requirement of this Act or the regulations; (c) having regard to the past conduct of the applicant, or of any person associated with the business of the applicant, there are reasonable grounds to believe that the applicant will not act in accordance with law, or with integrity, honesty or in the public interest, while carrying out the activities for which the licence is required;

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ICCRC NEWS (d) the applicant for a licence, or any person associated with the business of the applicant, is carrying on activities that are in contravention of this Act or the regulations, or will be in contravention if the licence is granted; (e) the applicant for a licence renewal, or any person associated with the business of the applicant, is carrying on activities that are in contravention of this Act, the regulations or the terms of the licence, or will be in contravention if the licence is renewed. 2011, c. 19, s. 21. This request from the provincial government is permissible according to ICCRC’s Code of Professional Ethics: ARTICLE 8. DUTY TO MAINTAIN CONFIDENTIALITY 8.1 Maintenance of Confidentiality 8.1.1 A Member shall hold in strict confidence, at all times, all information concerning the personal and business affairs of a Client, and shall not disclose such information unless: (A) the disclosure is: (i) expressly or impliedly authorized by the Client; (ii) required by a Canadian court; or (iii) required by a statute or regulation of Canada; or (B) the Member has a bona fide belief that the disclosure is required by a provincial law. For more information please refer to: Nova Scotia Labour Standards Code ICCRC Code of Professional Ethics

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ICCRC NEWS AGM REMINDER

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GOVERNMENT POLICY/IMMIGRATION NEWS JOHN MCCALLUM WANTS TO ‘SUBSTANTIALLY INCREASE’ IMMIGRATION TO FILL CANADA’S LABOUR NEEDS Canada’s immigration minister points to an aging population and looming labour shortages If Immigration Minister John McCallum gets his way, Canada will significantly increase immigration beyond its current record level as a way to fill the country’s labour needs. Pointing to an aging population and looming labour shortages, McCallum made the pitch in Manila during a speech to the Canadian Chamber of Commerce in the Philippines on Friday. "So why not substantially increase the number of immigrants coming to Canada? And that is, I think, I hope, what we are about to do," McCallum said, according to a transcript of his remarks obtained by CBC News. Earlier in the week, McCallum was in Beijing, where he sought to open more offices where Chinese can apply for visas, in the hope of attracting more high-skilled workers. The Trudeau government is already seeking to admit between 280,000 and 305,000 new permanent residents in 2016 — a record increase from the 260,000 to 285,000 newcomers the previous Conservative government had planned to welcome by the end of 2015. Key to the Liberal government’s larger plan to promote innovation and grow the economy is McCallum’s three-year immigration plan, which he intends to unveil this fall. McCallum said no final decision on immigration has been made and that he has to get his cabinet colleagues on board with his new plan and convince Canadians it’s the right thing to do. "But the direction in which I would like to go is to increase substantially the number of immigrants," McCallum said Friday. Reducing ‘barriers’ to immigration The express entry system launched under the previous Conservative government promised transformative changes to Canada’s economic immigration policy. McCallum will ease some of the rules to make it easier for international students to come to Canada and become permanent residents. He is also reviewing what is known as a Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) — a document all employers need to hire foreign nationals over Canadian workers — and could do away with it in some instances. Businesses have said it is the biggest flaw with express entry, a requirement the previous government borrowed from the temporary foreign worker program. "So we’re going to make it easier for international students, we’re going to reduce some of the barriers in our immigration system … we don’t think that every immigrant needs to go through what we call a labour market impact assessment process. We think it can be simplified. We think there are some rules which are no longer necessary," McCallum said. "Now, we have to convince Canadians of this. But I think it’s a good idea."

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GOVERNMENT POLICY/IMMIGRATION NEWS Review to come on TFW program The Liberal government also tasked a parliamentary committee with a review of the controversial foreign worker program, but Parliament adjourned before the report was tabled. It will now be made public in the fall. McCallum, who worked as a chief economist at one of Canada’s Big Five banks and a professor of economics before he entered politics, also acknowledged he has his work cut out for him. "Not every Canadian will agree. But I think with our mindset of welcoming newcomers in the beginning, with the facts of the labour shortages, aging population, we have a good case to make, and I think we will be able to convince a higher proportion of Canadians that this is the right way for Canada to go." The Philippines is currently the top source country for permanent residents in Canada, according to data published by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada as of May 31. The immigration minister also said that processing times for reuniting families from the Philippines has dropped "dramatically" to 12 months, "cut in half in just a year." The Liberal government promised during last fall’s federal election campaign to reduce processing wait times in all categories.

Source: Susan Mas, CBC.CA

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GOVERNMENT POLICY/IMMIGRATION NEWS CANADA'S IMMIGRATION DETENTION PROGRAM TO GET $138M MAKEOVER Public safety minister says goal is to find alternatives, make detention a last resort The Canadian government is committing millions to upgrade immigration detention centres across Canada. Immigration detention facilities in Vancouver and Laval, Québec, are also set to be replaced. Canada's Public Safety Minister Ralph Goodale made the $138-million announcement Monday morning at the Laval Immigration Holding Centre. He said the objective is to make detention a last resort. "In my first few months as minister responsible for Canada Border Services Agency, I have certainly heard the concerns about immigration detention, and I've studied those concerns with great care," Goodale said. "The government is anxious to address the weaknesses that exist and to do better." Samer Muscati, the director of the University of Toronto's International Human Rights Program, said it was reassuring to hear Goodale address concerns about excessive use of detention in his remarks today. "He's saying the right things and it's a positive development that he's saying these things, but of course we'll need to see what happens in terms of actions that follow," he said. "The proof will be in the pudding." The government will soon begin consultations with stakeholders with the aim of finding alternatives and ways to minimize the number of minors in detention. According to the Canada Border Services Agency, there are, on average, 450 to 500 people who are detained at any given time under the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act. The End Immigration Detention Network says 15 people have died in detention while in CBSA custody since 2000. It says reforms are welcome, but the system is inherently unfair. "Immigration detention including in immigration holding centres is imprisonment without charges or trial. It should end, not be expanded by throwing over a hundred million dollars at it," said the Network's spokesperson Tings Chak. A Red Cross investigation in 2014 found numerous shortcomings at facilities for immigrant detainees, including overcrowding and inadequate mental health care. Newcomers are often held in provincial jails or police facilities alongside suspected gang members and violent offenders. The government's reform objectives include:      

Increasing the availability of alternatives to detention. Reducing the use of provincial jails for immigration detention to prevent the interaction of immigration and criminal detainees. Avoiding the detention of minors in the facilities as much as possible. Improving physical and mental health care offered to those detained. Maintaining ready access to facilities for agencies such as the Red Cross, United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees as well as legal and spiritual advisers. Increasing transparency. Source: cbc.ca

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GOVERNMENT POLICY/IMMIGRATION NEWS MINISTER GOODALE INTRODUCES NEW INITIATIVES FOR A BETTER, FAIRER IMMIGRATION DETENTION SYSTEM New funding will transform Canada’s immigration detention system LAVAL, QC, August 15, 2016 – The Government of Canada is committed to creating a better, fairer immigration detention system for the humane and dignified treatment of individuals while upholding public safety. Today, the Honourable Ralph Goodale, Minister of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness, announced an investment of up to $138 million to transform the immigration detention system in Canada. The new National Immigration Detention Framework will enhance alternatives to detention and include key investments in federal detention infrastructure. “The Government of Canada is committed to exercising its responsibility for detentions to the highest possible standards, with physical and mental health and well-being of detainees, as well as the safety and security of Canadians as the primary considerations”, said Minister Goodale. In keeping with the objective to ensure that detention is truly a last resort, the Government of Canada is expanding the availability of alternatives to detention. A community supervision program will also be developed, in partnership with stakeholders, to provide tailored risk management for released detainees. Beginning this summer and continuing into fall 2016, a series of stakeholder engagement consultations will be held to expand the range of available alternatives to detention and reduce the number of minors in detention to the greatest extent possible. In addition, new infrastructure projects will replace the immigration holding centres in British Columbia and Québec to dramatically reduce the need for the use of provincial correctional facilities for immigration detention. The funding will also be used to enhance mental and medical health services and support for individuals in immigration holding centres. There is an average of 450 to 500 individuals detained under the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act at any given time. These make up less than 0.02% of travellers to Canada per year. Source: canada.ca

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GOVERNMENT POLICY/IMMIGRATION NEWS MONTRÉAL BOARD OF TRADE WANTS 10,000 MORE IMMIGRANTS A YEAR BY 2020 QUÉBEC — The Board of Trade of Metropolitan Montréal will argue before a National Assembly committee Tuesday that Québec should increase the number of immigrants it welcomes annually to 60,000 by 2020, up from the current 50,000. Immigration Minister Kathleen Weil has advocated that Québec adopt a go-slow approach and gradually accept about 2,500 more immigrants a year by 2019, to give the government time to implement the reform it launched in the spring. The reform, also known as Law 77, aims to streamline the immigration process and better match immigrants to Québec’s labour market needs. Board of Trade president Michel Leblanc said he agrees with the changes, but argued in an interview with the Montréal Gazette that Québec cannot afford to keep its immigration numbers low, especially as Montréal grapples with an aging population. “When we ask businesses ‘What are the criteria or factors that would induce investment’, the first that comes to mind is always availability of talent in the future,” Leblanc said. “If you’re to create 500 jobs in the IT sector over five years, you want to make sure that in five years’ time you can get those 500 individuals.” In the brief it will present at the National Assembly on Tuesday, the Board notes Québec’s population is stagnating compared with Ontario’s and British Columbia’s since Québec receives proportionally fewer immigrants. This will eventually have an impact on the province’s political weight and influence inside the country, the Board warns. Québec receives about 16 per cent of people who immigrate to Canada, while it represents 23 per cent of the Canadian population. The Board argues the two should be proportionate. Under Law 77, people interested in immigrating to Québec must fill out a declaration of interest so that the government can assemble a bank of candidates in line with qualifications and labour market requirements. “What we’re saying is that the Québec government could go a bit faster,” Leblanc said. “For instance, the government this year has decided to reduce the number of economic immigrants to make sure we have enough capacity to welcome refugees. What we said is ‘We understand’ but maybe we could have added on the number of refugees to the target of economic immigrants.” Weil is proposing welcoming 51,000 immigrants in 2017 and 2018, and 52,500 in 2019. She is facing resistance from opposition parties, who are in favour of welcoming fewer immigrants who can integrate more easily. The unemployment rate among newcomers, the Parti Québécois and Coalition Avenir Québec have argued, is around 11 per cent, about four percentage points higher than that of the rest of the population. “Right now, we still have challenges to make sure the 50,000 immigrants we receive every year have a better integration,” CAQ Leader François Legault has said. In addition to immigration volumes, eight government orientations are being debated in parliamentary committee this month, including a proposal to increase the number of French speakers Québec welcomes annually. Under the government proposal, a minimum of 85 per cent of qualified workers applying for immigration would need to already possess a solid knowledge of French. Source: Montréal Gazette 9 Regulating Immigration Professionals. Protecting the Public.

GOVERNMENT POLICY/IMMIGRATION NEWS ONTARIO ENHANCING SERVICES FOR REFUGEES Provincial support helping refugees integrate into local communities Ontario is continuing to support refugees across the province by investing more than $3.8 million to help them settle and integrate successfully. The funding will help communities that have generously welcomed large numbers of refugees, and includes: 

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$3.3 million to help 26 agencies across the province deliver settlement services in refugees' first language, such as special programming for refugee women, children and youth; and to work with other community partners to address refugee needs in areas such as adult training and employment assistance, and health and mental health. Up to $200,000 to train front-line settlement workers to better identify mental health concerns and ensure proper referrals and supports. Up to $70,000 in additional support for student mental health and well-being through the School Mental Health ASSIST, which is a provincial support team that is helping district school boards promote mental health and respond to the social and emotional needs of newcomer students and families from the Syrian conflict. Up to $280,000 to support summer programming for refugee students that has helped them improve their literacy and numeracy skills, catch-up on missed education and promote integration.

The investments announced today represent $1.55 million in addition to government's commitment of $10.5 million in September 2015, which included $2 million for immediate overseas relief and $8.5 million over 2.5 years for refugee resettlement and integration supports in Ontario. Investing in refugee settlement and integration supports for newcomers is part of the government's economic plan to build Ontario up and deliver on its number-one priority to grow the economy and create jobs. The four-part plan includes helping more people get and create the jobs of the future by expanding access to high-quality college and university education. The plan is making the largest infrastructure investment in hospitals, schools, roads, bridges and transit in Ontario's history and is investing in a lowcarbon economy driven by innovative, high-growth, export-oriented businesses. The plan is also helping working Ontarians achieve a more secure retirement.

Source: news.ontario.ca

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GOVERNMENT POLICY/IMMIGRATION NEWS ONTARIO HELPING INTERNATIONALLY TRAINED IMMIGRANTS FIND JOBS Province Supporting 11 New Bridge Training Projects Toronto, ON, August 9, 2016 – The province is investing $3.35 million over two years through the Ontario Bridge Training Program to help internationally trained professionals find jobs that match their skills and experience. The investment will support 11 new bridge training projects that will:   

Improve access to career assistance services for internationally trained immigrants, for example career mentoring, employment events, language skills-training and a micro-loan program. Help employers recruit, hire and retain internationally trained immigrants, with networking events, an online recruiting service and employer workshops. Identify newcomers’ transferrable skills and alternate career pathways through, for example, mentoring events and the promotion of entrepreneurship.

Every year, Ontario’s Bridge Training Program helps over 6,000 internationally trained professionals get the help they need to find jobs that match their skills and experience. Increasing immigrant employment rates is key to growing the province’s globally connected economy. Investing in supports for internationally trained professionals is part of the government’s economic plan to build Ontario up and deliver on its number-one priority to grow the economy and create jobs. The four-part plan includes helping more people get and create the jobs of the future by expanding access to high-quality college and university education. The plan is making the largest infrastructure investment in hospitals, schools, roads, bridges and transit in Ontario’s history and is investing in a low-carbon economy driven by innovative, high-growth, export-oriented businesses. The plan is also helping working Ontarians achieve a more secure retirement. Ontario’s Bridge Training Program provides training and support for immigrants to become registered to work in regulated professions and other high-skilled jobs. The program also works with employers to develop resources to help them hire, retain and integrate internationally trained immigrants into the workplace. The program aligns with recommendations from the Premier’s Highly Skilled Workforce Expert Panel to position all Ontarians to meet the needs of the province’s dynamic economy. Nearly three out of four working-age immigrants to Ontario have a postsecondary education. Each year, over 6,000 skilled immigrants access Bridge Training projects in more than 100 professions including such as nursing, medical technology and the skilled trades. Source: news.ontario.ca

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