A recent report by TheStar.com set out to challenge the legitimacy of the Immigration Consultant system by placing hidden cameras in some consulting sessions. What was found is that a few of those Consultants were overcharging their clients to an extreme degree, and even more disturbing falsifying information on their client's documentation in order to obtain their immigration papers or win their claims for refugee status.
In the article above many of the Immigration lawyers claimed to get a lot of business from clients who's lives have been destroyed by the unethical actions of their Immigration Consultants. I have found this to be true in many cases, but as well many lawyers have not been completely fair in their work with immigration cases either.
While lawyers in Canada are certified by the local Province's Law Society, and many Immigration Consultants are now becoming registered with the Canadian Society of Immigration Consultants, the vulnerability of many clients and their perception that they lack certain fundamental rights in a foreign country often lead them to trust much of what their representatives advise them to do while their applications are in process. While moral and legal obligations to their clients and their membership in their respective professional societies gear those agents to assist their clients, it is often not the case. Do you believe foreign citizens should have rights abroad? It is a question which needs to be asked in every society and implemented if respect for these individuals shall become part of the institutions and people who work with immigration issues.