New Federal Regulations for Immigration Representatives at http://www.csic-scci.ca

Attention
MPNP has introduced a 
Code of Conduct for Immigration Representatives
(Click here for more information)

What is a "representative"?

A representative can be a lawyer, a consultant or any other person, including a friend, who you hire, or ask for help, in preparing your application for the Manitoba Provincial Nominee Program (MPNP). It is someone you authorize to inquire about and follow up on the status of your immigration application.

Do you need a representative to apply to the Manitoba Provincial Nominee Program?

No. The MPNP does not require you to have a representative. The application forms are designed to make them easy for applicants to understand and to complete on their own. You are welcome to contact our office with any questions about the application forms.

Be aware that:

• All applicants are treated equally. Applicants with representatives will not receive preferential service, or be handled differently from other applicants.
• Representatives cannot guarantee that you will get a nomination certificate, visa, obtain your citizenship or benefit from special treatment if you use their services.
• Applications are free of charge and can be obtained at the address below. You do not have to pay a representative to obtain the required forms.
• The MPNP is not associated with any representatives. If anyone tells you they are representing the Province of Manitoba, contact us immediately and we will give you the correct information.
  Contact us at:

Manitoba Labour and Immigration
Manitoba Provincial Nominee Program
9th floor, 213 Notre Dame Avenue
Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada R3B 1N3
Telephone: (Canada 001) 204-945-2806
Fax: (Canada 001) 204-948-2256
E-mail: immigratemanitoba@gov.mb.ca

Who can act as a representative?

Anyone can act as a representative for the purpose of completing the MPNP application whether or not they charge a fee. If you choose someone to represent you, you must fill out #8 of the Manitoba Supplementary Information Form (MBSUP) and specify the name of your representative so that we may give them information on your behalf.

Be aware that:

• The MPNP can provide information on your file to representatives who are either 1) Canadian citizens or 2) permanent residents of Canada. Representatives who live outside Canada, and are neither Canadian citizens nor permanent residents, might be unable to gain access to information on your MPNP file.

If you choose to pay for representation, how do you select a representative?

It is your responsibility to make sure that the representative you choose is ethical and competent to perform the services required. You should not be afraid to ask the representative for references or other proof that he or she has the necessary skills.

Lawyers:
Provincial regulatory bodies regulate lawyers practising in Canada. Only a lawyer who is a member in good standing of a provincial or territorial law society may practice law. The law societies can investigate complaints against members, impose discipline and provide financial compensation to clients who are victims of negligence or misconduct. Many lawyers will meet with you free of charge for a short consultation, after which you can decide if you want to hire them.

Immigration consultants:
Immigration consultants are not regulated or controlled by the federal or provincial governments of Canada. Therefore, it is your responsibility to ensure that the consultant you choose is qualified to represent your best interests. You can:

• Contact a local Better Business Bureau to find out if the consultant has a satisfactory rating or;
• Ask if the consultant belongs to a professional association. Professional associations may have a code of conduct, entry requirements, training for members, and compensation – financial or otherwise – for dissatisfied clients. This information may assist you in making a decision.

Things you should know:

• Be cautious when dealing with foreign-based representatives. Such companies or individuals may be outside the reach of Canadian law, and there may be no protection or remedy available in Canada to satisfy a client, should a problem occur.
• Lawyers and immigration consultants charge for their services. These fees are determined by each representative and can vary significantly. The services outlined in your contract may also vary.
• It is a good idea to ask lawyers, consultants or any representative how much experience they have handling successful immigration cases before engaging their services.
• If you are successful in obtaining permanent resident status, there are services available at no cost to new immigrants. Examples of these services include obtaining a health card or finding a place to live.
• If you have a representative, all correspondence, including requests for information and additional documents, will be sent to the representative.
• Even if you have indicated the name of the representative you wish us to contact, you should give your own mailing address and the address of your representative. It is important that we have your mailing address as well because we will copy you on some correspondence, such as the final decision on your application.
• If you change representatives, or stop using his or her services, you must notify the MPNP office immediately. We will then send you a form to sign, confirming your decision. Without your signed form, information may continue to be sent to the representative indicated on your application. Please telephone, fax or e-mail us for the required form at:
  
  Telephone: (Canada 001) 204-945-2806
  Fax: (Canada 001) 204-948-2256
  E-mail: immigratemanitoba@gov.mb.ca
• Note: We will only communicate with one representative at any given time.
• You are responsible for any documents you or your representative submits to our office. Supporting documents are very important to your application and must always be truthful and verifiable.
  
  Note: Submitting false or misleading information can lead to the refusal of your application, the cancellation of your visa, the revocation of your citizenship, your deportation from Canada, and even possible criminal charges against you. It can also limit your ability to reapply for a number of years.

What to do if things go wrong with your representative

Most representatives provide competent, honest services. However, there are some that do not. The MPNP cannot help you if you have a disagreement with your representative, as it is a private matter between the two of you.

Note: If you experience difficulties with your representative, you should file a complaint with the appropriate authorities as soon as possible. There may be time limits for filing a complaint.

What to do if you want to file a complaint against your representative

Find out if your representative is a Canadian citizen, a permanent resident of Canada or has a place of business in Canada. When the answer is "yes" to any one of these questions, you have these options:

• If your representative is a lawyer, you can send your complaint to the law society of the province or territory where your lawyer practices. Law societies impose a code of conduct on their members to try to protect the public interest. They have rules for disciplining lawyers and compensating clients.
• If your representative is a consultant and is a member of a professional association in Canada, you can file a complaint with that association. If your consultant is not a member of any association, you can ask the consumer protection office in the province or territory where your consultant works for advice. Some consumer protection offices may offer to contact the consultant to seek a solution to your problem.
• If you believe your representative has committed an offence in the course of representing you, you can contact the Royal Canadian Mounted Police.
• If you wish to recover money you paid for services you did not receive, you can file a lawsuit in small claims court. You do not need a lawyer for this, however a fee will be charged and there is no guarantee that you will win your case.
• You can report your problem to the Better Business Bureau in the province or territory where your representative works. They may offer to contact your representative to seek a solution to your problem.

If your representative is not a Canadian citizen, a permanent resident of Canada or does not have a place of business in Canada, you may:

• Send your complaint to the appropriate authorities in the country where the consultant has a place of business or is a resident. The Government of Canada and the Government of Manitoba cannot get involved in the matter.

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Contacting Citizenship and Immigration Canada

CIC cannot help you if you have a dispute with your representative as it is a private matter between the two of you.
However, you may write to the CIC office dealing with your case or to the following address to inform CIC of the situation.

Contacting Professional Associations:

If the representative belongs to a professional association, ask them to provide you with the appropriate contacts.

For more information please contact:

Manitoba Labour and Immigration
Manitoba Provincial Nominee Program
9th floor, 213 Notre Dame Avenue
Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada R3B 1N3
Telephone: (204) 945-2806
Fax: (204) 948-2256
E-mail: immigratemanitoba@gov.mb.ca
Web Site: www.immigratemanitoba.com

January 1, 2002

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