May 2, 2017 – Two civil lawsuits recently filed in British Columbia and the Yukon involving Canada business immigration programs, highlight how provincial business immigration streams in Canada continue to be affected by fraud and mismanagement. The cases surround 90 Chinese citizens who paid a total of $11.9 million and were denied entry to Canada. They allege fake or invalid immigration documents were issued by government after millions of dollars were invested in a Yukon based Hotel under the Yukon Business Nominee Program. The Yukon program offers an initial two-year Canada visa leading to Canadian permanent residence to qualified entrepreneurs chosen to help boost the territory's economy. Fraud is an issue dating back to the start of Canada's investment immigration industry in the 1980s.

The Yukon case was filed in March 2017 by Ningbo Zhelun Overseas Immigration Service Co. Ltd. ("Zhelun"), a China-based immigration services company, against Richmond, B.C.-based USA-Canada International Investment Inc. ("UCII").

In July 2015, 60 candidates were called for an interview with Canadian authorities in Hong Kong, according to Zhelun, and told their documents, allegedly issued by the Yukon government, were fake or invalid. Applicants were informed their immigration applications were denied and they would not be allowed to reapply for five years under Canada's inadmissibility rules. Under agreement, candidate funds, including an 'application cost' of $50,000, was paid to UCII. The lawsuit seeks to recover the $11.9 million, with Zhelun saying UCII accepted the money was returnable if the immigration applications failed. None of the allegations have been proven in court.

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The content of this article reflects the personal insight of Attorney Colin Singer and needs no disclaimer