Quebec immigration minister 'deeply shocked' by alleged fraud scheme

MONTREAL · Quebec's immigration minister says she is deeply shocked by allegations that a former government employee issued more than 100 fake selection certificates to unqualified immigration candidates. Catherine Gentilcore, who is also the province's deputy premier, made the comments in a news release and on social media this weekend after the province's anti-corruption unit revealed the case. A former employee of the Ministry of Immigration and Integration, Marilena Ida, has been charged with breach of trust and forgery. She is scheduled to appear in a Montreal courthouse on Dec. 10 to answer the charges. "I am very shocked by the revelations of the last few days from UPAC regarding the hundred or so cases of fraudulent immigration," Gentilcore said in a message posted on X, formerly Twitter, on Sunday morning. "This situation shakes my confidence, and I expect that the whole truth will come out." In her statement, the minister said she would ensure in the coming days "that this is indeed an isolated case and that all necessary measures have been put in place since then to prevent this from happening again."

What is the former employee accused of doing?

Marilena Ida is accused of issuing fraudulent Quebec selection certificates while she worked as an interim coordinator of the Quebec Experience Program, or PEQ. The Permanent Anti-Corruption Unit (UPAC) said in a press release on Nov. 4 that its investigation tends to demonstrate that Ida allegedly issued more than one hundred fake Quebec selection certificates to candidates who did not meet the eligibility criteria. The agency alleges the incidents took place between Aug. 22, 2016 and Feb. 3, 2019. The Quebec selection certificate, often called a CSQ, is a mandatory document issued by the provincial government. A candidate must obtain this certificate before they can apply to the federal government in Ottawa for permanent residence in Quebec. The criteria for obtaining a certificate include demonstrating French language proficiency, as well as meeting education and work history requirements.

What charges does the former bureaucrat face?

Ida faces two criminal charges following an investigation by Quebec's Anti-Corruption Commissioner (CLCC). She has been charged with breach of trust and forgery. The charges were announced by UPAC last week. The former employee will have to appear at the Montreal courthouse on Dec. 10 to answer to these charges. The investigation was conducted by the CLCC, which is the body that leads UPAC's operations.

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What has the minister said will happen next?

Minister Catherine Gentilcore said in her statement that she will take steps to verify the scope of the alleged fraud. She stated she would ensure the situation is an isolated incident. The minister also said that measures have been put in place to prevent such an incident from happening again. Her comments were posted on social media platform X and on her Facebook page a few hours earlier.

The ministry was formerly known as the Ministry of Immigration, Francization and Integration. The alleged fraud scheme is said to have involved the Quebec Experience Program, which is a popular immigration pathway for temporary foreign workers and international graduates already in the province. The case comes as Quebec continues to manage significant pressures on its immigration system. The minister's news release this weekend also stated that the "necessary measures have been put in place" to ensure the about 100 cases remain an isolated incident.

With files from The Canadian Press, CityNews and CBC News