Statement — Minister Kenney Commends CBSA on Charges Laid in Halifax Fraud Case

Ottawa, May 6, 2013 — The Honourable Jason Kenney, Minister of Citizenship, Immigration and Multiculturalism, made the following statement upon learning that a Canadian permanent resident pleaded guilty of misrepresentation and was handed a $25,000 fine following a Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) investigation.

“I applaud the CBSA for their thorough investigation of this case and for helping protect the integrity of Canada’s immigration system.

“This case sends a clear message to those who commit fraud that they will be caught and face real consequences.

“Our government is committed to strengthening the value of Canadian citizenship and is cracking down on citizenship and residency fraud.

I urge anyone who has information regarding residency fraud to call Citizenship and Immigration Canada’s (CIC) tip line to report it and help us protect the value of Canadian citizenship.”

The Government of Canada offers a tip line through the CIC Call Centre where tips on suspected residency fraud cases may be reported.

Cases involving false representation, fraud or knowingly concealing material circumstances in the citizenship process – for example, pretending to be present in Canada to meet the residence requirements for obtaining citizenship – should be referred to the citizenship fraud tip line at CIC’s Call Centre at 1-888-242-2100 (in Canada only, 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. local time, Monday through Friday).

Tips may also be reported by e-mail at Citizenship-fraud-tips@cic.gc.ca.

All other types of immigration fraud tips should be reported to the CBSA Border Watch Tip Line at 1-888-502-9060. The CBSA is responsible for enforcing the provisions of the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act. Tips accepted by the Border Watch Tip Line include, but are not limited to, suspicious cross-border activity, marriages of convenience, misrepresentation in any temporary or permanent immigration application, or the whereabouts of any person wanted on an immigration warrant.

For further information (media only), please contact:

Alexis Pavlich
Minister’s Office
Citizenship and Immigration Canada
613-954-1064

Media Relations
Communications Branch
Citizenship and Immigration Canada
613-952-1650
CIC-Media-Relations@cic.gc.ca

Building a stronger Canada: Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC) strengthens Canada’s economic, social and cultural prosperity, helping ensure Canadian safety and security while managing one of the largest and most generous immigration programs in the world.