Immigration Fraud In Canada Has A New Twist

Keep trying Steve, you may yet get in.  My husband almost got kicked out because of an old DWI in the states (he's american) and then had trouble finding work for awhile.  We found an immigration lawyer who was not dishonest and did not charge unreasonable fees nor expect instant payment for everything.  She didn't even expect a retainer.  She helped us navigate the complex web of documents to legally import my husband so he could work legally and stay.  You should keep trying to find that work sponsor.  

To Yankee Jim, that was a pointless reactionary comment having very little to do with the issue and not particularily relevant.  This was not about people getting into the country too easily, but rather the opposite.  Canada never was a source of problems for the USA, it was just a way to tighten borders so that one day when YOU want out because the govt. finally has reached it's tyrannical goals, there will be too much border security to leave.

Fortunately democracy means you can elect other people who may help tear down the foundations laid by the tyrannical and corrupt people who get elected periodically.

It is not the government or the judicial system at fault. If there was a crime, and it was reported, decisive action against the fraud would have been carried out and charges laid. Innocent people who report crimes committed against them are not deported. This story should have had an opinion tag.

I agree with thirty-aught-six, this is not the fault of the government or judicial system. Moreover, while there are serious problems with the provincial government in BC, immigration is a federal issue, and due to increased scrutany in recent years, and particularly after the scandals of Fall 2009, they are very much on the strait and narrow. If this "lawyer" is commiting fraud, it should be reported. Also, there are lawyers, usually those fresh out of law-school, who are willing to take on cases like this at little or no cost to their client, simply to make a name for themselves, or because it is a hot-button issue. And lawyers who commit fraud should not be practicing law... though maybe that is naive of me, and if all the lawyers who commited crimes gave up practicing, perhaps there would be none left.... As for Yankee Jim, here in Canada, we will stop the sending of pot south if you stop the sending of coke and firearms north

I didn't suggest it's fault of the government or the judicial system, but as long as the judicial system is kept as an inaccessible monopoly for the benefit of the few, exploitation of the system will continue.

I have advised this person to go to the police, but I frankly doubt if he'll be able to get past the receptionist on his own to speak to an officer. That, unfortunately, is a reality.

Thanks for your comments.

In Vancouver there are several groups who help immigrants, free of charge, and provide translators and legal advice. Put him in touch with Mosaic on Comercial Drive, or the Immigrant Services Society, on Drake Street.

Also, though not directly able to help with the issue, he can try the Service Canada Multi-Lingual Extension Service, in New West, to get more information on his rights while working here in Canada. The best though, would definately be to contact the ISS. Their website, www.issbc.org has contact information, and I have heard great things about them from various sources.

Also, depending on the language, the VPD have translators, as do the RCMP, who are available, and should be free of charge. Hopefully you can convince this individual to look into the issue, as this sort of activity, though all to common, is a disgrace to the legal profession, and also a smear on Canada's reputation... And neither lawyers, nor our country, need any further blights on their reputation.

Thank you, that's very helpful.

As for the VPD and RCMP having translators, that's another issue. RCMP closed down the Multilingual Services Dept in Vancouver about 8 years ago, and the police may or may not use the services of a competent interpreter. I know that depositions have been obtained from people with little or no English comprehension without the use of a professional interpreter. BC Solicitor General's Office has no guidelines for the police, and doesn't care. I wrote to Kash Heed last year, and a Thank You John letter was all I got.

Ah but Kash Heed is the biggest crook of them all. And the BC government's lack of concern about anyone with less than a six figure net income is a matter of common knowledge. I find, the best way to deal with the provincial government is go through the municipal or federal government, make them think that it is a hot-button issue, and let them pressure the provincial government into dealing with it. Realistically, if there is no media circus following the issue, lighting a fire under a politician is like trying to stop the tides. I hope the info was helpful, and hopefully

I couldn't agree more... that is one of the main downsides of party politics. If the party says jump, the MPs say how high, if the constituents say jump, the MPs say that, looking back over the party's history, you can see that they truly put the needs of hte constituents first, and here is a list of times in past where they have jumped, however the need to jump a this time is not deemed pressing. It seems the only thing to make them actually do their jobs is a media circus, wherein the threat of a change of government is present. The problems that catch media attention get fixed immediately, no matter how triffling; the problems that do not, even the most urgent issues, are ignored until it is too late. Also, our confederation leads to a weak federal government which does not have the authority to force provinces to comply with federal or international law, under most circumstances. Judges, appointed, rather than elected, have the sole authority to determine what laws will be instituted, and in what ways. A benevolent dictator, a leviathon, with sole authority to make such decisions, would solve this problem. But then we run the risk of giving up our freedoms in exchange for fleeting convenience. It is an unfortunate state of affairs, but the alternatives are even more bleak. Use of media seems to remain the most effective way to get issues resolved, the key is to find a way to make the media smell blood. Once the hounds are released, the political apathy seems to melt away.