Quebec Immigration Minister Catherine Gentilcore says she is “deeply shocked” by alleged fraud incidents uncovered by the province’s anti-corruption agency.
In a news release this weekend, Gentilcore said the “necessary measures have been put in place” to ensure that about 100 cases of alleged immigration fraud linked to a former government employee remain an isolated incident.
Ex-Immigration Ministry bureaucrat Marilena Ida has been charged with breach of trust and document forgery after an investigation by Quebec’s anti-corruption commissioner.
The agency alleged last week that as an interim co-ordinator, Ida issued more than 100 false Quebec selection certificates to candidates who did not meet the requirements.
A certificate must be obtained from the province before applying to Ottawa for permanent residence in Quebec, with criteria including French proficiency, education and work history.
The agency alleges the incidents took place between August 2016 and February 2019. Ida is scheduled to appear in a Montreal courthouse on Dec. 10.