The most frustrating part is that even if we have the best laws and enforcement domestically, we are limited in how we can affect the operation of unscrupulous agents abroad, where perhaps most of the exploitation occurs. That is why I've made a very deliberate effort, as part of our broader crackdown on unscrupulous consultants, to use our diplomatic leverage with foreign governments that are major source countries for immigration to Canada, to encourage them to adopt and enforce laws regulating the profession.
As you know, in some of our source countries, such as India and China, there's a large industry of people who will facilitate applicants for visas or immigration to Canada. They often furnish them with counterfeit documents or really bad advice, and often the exploitation is done in a ham-fisted way.
I know of one case where an immigration consultant in Jalandhar, in the Punjab state of India, took at least a quarter of a million dollars from applicants for student visas. He submitted what clearly were ridiculously fraudulent applications on their behalf--like bad photocopies of bank statements--that he knew, presumably, our visa officers would detect. But he didn't care because he'd already taken the cash. So a rejection letter from CIC doesn't seem to hurt his business line. This is a real problem.
That's why I effectively lobbied the Indian government. I'm pleased to say they gave us a commitment that by the end of this year their cabinet will adopt and submit to the Lok Sabha, the Indian parliament, significant improvements to their emigration act for the regulation of consultants, with a specific focus on student recruiters.
I also raised the issue of enforcement. I have to say that some of the state police agencies, such as those in Maharashtra state and in the national capital region around Delhi, have been very helpful in working with our high commission officials in pursuing prosecutions.
I did raise this most forcefully with the first minister of Punjab. He committed to assign a director general of the state, together with the chief of police, to work directly with our consulate in enhancing cooperation on the prosecution of immigration violations.
I raised similar issues with and got similar positive responses from the Government of China.