This amendment would allow students-at-law to represent or provide advice on their own, without the supervision of a member in good standing of the law society, as long as they are authorized by the law society to do so.
The government does not support this amendment, because it would go beyond the intent of the bill, which is to align the Citizenship Act with the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act. With respect to those who can make representation or provide advice under the Citizenship Act, the intent of the bill is to ensure that those who are representing or advising are accountable for their actions. Because students-at-law are not members of a bar, to ensure the protection of the public the students are held accountable under the supervision of a member in good standing. Hence, a member of the provincial bar or the Chambre des notaires du Québec is ultimately responsible for the actions of the students under his or her tutelage.
We will not be supporting the amendment.