Evidence of meeting #53 for Citizenship and Immigration in the 42nd Parliament, 1st session. (The original version is on Parliament’s site, as are the minutes.) The winning word was iccrc.
A recording is available from Parliament.
Liberal
Gary Anandasangaree Liberal Scarborough—Rouge Park, ON
Yes, but they've also said that if you're not qualified to be appearing in front of the IRB, don't do it. You need to get special training before you take on that challenge.
Liberal
Gary Anandasangaree Liberal Scarborough—Rouge Park, ON
The principle, however, is that with the licence you're entitled to represent clients.
As an Individual
You could, but you'd have to brush up on your education before you go and take on that challenge.
Liberal
Gary Anandasangaree Liberal Scarborough—Rouge Park, ON
Do you feel that the current education program prepares you to be advocates in front of the IRB?
As an Individual
With respect to external education, it does. There are some very good programs on the external portion. The internal is different. That's the regulatory regime and how to walk within the regulatory framework.
Chair, Canadian Migration Institute
I want to add that under our code of conduct if you're not competent to do the job, but you go ahead and do it, you can be disciplined. Somebody can make a complaint.
Liberal
Gary Anandasangaree Liberal Scarborough—Rouge Park, ON
Notwithstanding that, all of your 3,400 members.... Is it 34,000? We were told 3,400 at the last meeting. Anyway, around 4,000 members are entitled to appear before the IRB.
At this point the competency is an individual assessment. The need for regulation is...we have a basic set of guidelines that governs everyone. Do you feel this is a function that should require an addition to your current licence as opposed to giving all licensees carte blanche to go in front of the IRB?
As an Individual
I'll finish with that. We discussed getting different levels of licensing at the board level recently. We're considering that. It has been tabled recently—exactly that, yes.
Liberal
Gary Anandasangaree Liberal Scarborough—Rouge Park, ON
With respect to complaints, I know you've both practised law; all three of you I think have some experience in immigration. Have you filed any complaints against members with the ICCRC?
Liberal
Gary Anandasangaree Liberal Scarborough—Rouge Park, ON
You, in particular, Ms. Fang, have identified a number of clients whom you are representing, whom you're assisting with misrepresentation. Why have you not filed any complaints? For example, you mentioned the situation of the lawyer. Did you file a complaint with the Law Society of British Columbia?
Chair, Canadian Migration Institute
I am in the process of filing a complaint with the Law Society, but I found the complaint procedures very complicated. First, I need to read their code of conduct and figure out which section I'm complaining under. Second, I need to collect evidence. I have to have my client collect original documents from the provincial government and then have them verified. It's a lengthy process.
Liberal
Gary Anandasangaree Liberal Scarborough—Rouge Park, ON
My understanding is that the Federation of Law Societies has basic guidelines so anyone can make a complaint over the phone. It's a five-minute process and the rest of it is undertaken by the Law Society. My concern is that you have issues and yet you haven't undertaken any steps to rectify them.
Chair, Canadian Migration Institute
I didn't know you could call them. I went to their website and I checked their complaint procedures online. I was doing an online assessment.
If I can phone them, that's faster. I probably will phone them.
Liberal
Gary Anandasangaree Liberal Scarborough—Rouge Park, ON
With respect to complaints of other members of ICCRC, you said you had two complaints and you have withdrawn them. Apart from internal squabbling are there legitimate issues of competency or ethics with their representation of clients that you have complained about?
As an Individual
Mine are internal squabbling. I think that's an easier way of saying it.
Liberal
Gary Anandasangaree Liberal Scarborough—Rouge Park, ON
How complicated is it for someone to file a complaint with the ICCRC?
As an Individual
It's not very complicated, but the question is how fast are they going to get a reply. I have a client who filed a complaint and didn't get a response for three years.
Liberal
Gary Anandasangaree Liberal Scarborough—Rouge Park, ON
Mr. Dhillon, in your experience with individual clients, you mentioned a number of cases. What is their remedy? How do you help them; what do you advise them?
Liberal
Gary Anandasangaree Liberal Scarborough—Rouge Park, ON
Thank you.
I'd like to yield my time to my colleague Gagan.