Letter to the Editor

Yahoo Canada News – August 29, 2012

Re: RCMP uncover a massive marriage fraud scheme in Montreal

I would like to point out a serious error in the article "RCMP UNCOVER A MASSIVE MARRIAGE FRAUD SCHEME IN MONTREAL" of August 29, 2012. Citing a CBC story from last year, the article incorrectly states that an internal Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) document indicated a "lack of action" on marriage fraud. What the CBSA document actually said was that there was media coverage alleging a lack of action by the CBSA. This error harms the reputation of the CBSA on a key part of our work - our immigration enforcement mandate. The CBSA takes violations of Canada's immigration laws, including marriage fraud, very seriously and works closely with its partners, including Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC) and the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP), to identify, investigate and prosecute to the fullest extent of the law those who violate our immigration laws.

Currently, the CBSA has a number of criminal investigations under way into suspected marriage of convenience fraud and will continue to pursue cases as they come to the Agency's attention. As well, the Agency has removed sponsored partners from Canada for having misrepresented themselves (as per section 40(1) of the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act). In 2011, 104 people were removed from Canada for misrepresentation, which includes marriage fraud. Our efforts at detecting and stopping this type of fraud, along with those of CIC and the RCMP, demonstrate the Government's commitment to ensure the integrity of our immigration system.

We also have a Border Watch Toll-free line - 1-888-502-9060 - that members of the public can call to report suspicious cross-border activity or immigration-related offences. All information is treated as confidential. Tips accepted include marriages of convenience, misrepresentation in any temporary or permanent immigration application, or the whereabouts of any person wanted on an immigration warrant. For more information, please visit our Web site.

In future, we would welcome the opportunity to provide you with the facts.

Peter Hill
Director General, Post-Border Programs
Canada Border Services Agency