Quebec’s push to protect immigration clients: where things stand now
Back in 2010, Quebec drew praise for moving quickly to protect people using immigration consulting services. At the time, the Canadian Society of Immigration Consultants (CSIC) welcomed the province’s focus on accountability and professional standards. That early momentum helped set the stage for today’s stronger, nationwide system of oversight.
From CSIC to today’s regulator
- 2004–2011: CSIC regulated immigration consultants and promoted a professional code of conduct.
- 2011–2021: The Immigration Consultants of Canada Regulatory Council (ICCRC) succeeded CSIC as the national regulator.
- Since 2021: The College of Immigration and Citizenship Consultants (the College, often “CICC”) is the statutory regulator created by federal legislation. The College licenses consultants, enforces a binding Code of Professional Conduct, runs investigations and discipline, requires professional liability insurance, and maintains a client compensation fund.
Lawyers in good standing with a Canadian law society (including the Barreau du Québec) and Quebec notaries (Chambre des notaires du Québec) remain authorized to represent clients as officers of the court. Licensed College consultants are authorized representatives for federal immigration matters.
What Quebec requires today
Quebec maintains additional safeguards for its own immigration programs, administered by the Ministère de l’Immigration, de la Francisation et de l’Intégration (MIFI). In practice, this means:
- Authorized representatives only. Clients can be represented by a Quebec lawyer, a Quebec notary, or a federally authorized immigration consultant licensed by the College.
- Recognition for Quebec files. Consultants handling Quebec immigration processes must meet MIFI’s recognition and documentation requirements.
- Public registries. Consumers can verify a representative’s status via the College’s public register and, for lawyers and notaries, the Barreau du Québec and the Chambre des notaires.
- Complaints and discipline. Both the College and the Quebec professional orders run formal complaints processes with investigative and disciplinary powers.
- Insurance and safeguards. Licensed consultants carry errors-and-omissions insurance and are covered by a client compensation fund, providing financial recourse in defined situations.
Why this matters for consumers
- Better accountability. Clear rules, public discipline records, and enforceable ethics reduce the risk of misconduct.
- Competency you can verify. Mandatory education, continuing professional development, and licensing exams help ensure up‑to‑date expertise.
- Financial protection. Insurance and compensation mechanisms create practical remedies when things go wrong.
- Transparent choice. Public registers make it easy to confirm who is permitted to advise or represent you.
How to check a representative
- Search the College’s public register for the consultant’s full name and license number.
- For Quebec lawyers and notaries, confirm standing on the Barreau du Québec or Chambre des notaires directories.
- For Quebec immigration program files, confirm the representative is recognized to act before MIFI.
- Ask for a written retainer that outlines services, fees, timelines, and responsibilities.
- Keep copies of all communications and receipts.
Bottom line
Quebec’s early push in 2010 to raise the bar for immigration consulting helped shape a stronger, clearer framework that exists today. With the College now regulating consultants nationally and Quebec maintaining its own program safeguards, consumers benefit from higher standards, transparent oversight, and meaningful avenues for recourse—no matter which pathway they pursue.