RCIC Assistance with Complaints to ICCRC
The nature of clients’ complaints against Regulated Canadian Immigration Consultant (RCIC) varies on the type of cases and the way the immigration services were provided. If you received a complaint from ICCRC made by one of your clients, it is recommended to seek a legal representation immediately to minimize the consequences of the ICCRC complaint.
Examples of consequences issued by ICCRC following an investigation which was initiated by a complaint:
- A reprimand
- Remedial education: RCIC must take continuing professional development (CDP) “on the topic(s) of client file management and/or client communication” for the period of time specified by the ICCRC.
- Short-term suspension
- The RCIC is permitted to resign (in some cases the re-admission is possible, in others – life-time prohibited).
- ICCRC revokes the license from an RCIC permanently.
The process of investigating the complaint made against an RCIC
After the ICCRC receives a complaint from your client, they assign an Investigator to the complaint. Then ICCRC sets a deadline for the RCIC to file a written response to the complaint within 15 days of receiving the notice from the Investigator. The Complainant will be informed about RCIC’s response with the aim to provide additional information to accept or deny the RCIC’s response.
According to ICCRC Complaints Professional Standards Process, the complaint process includes stages of investigation, Complaints Committee review and Discipline Committee process (if the Complaints Committee refers the complaint to the Discipline Committee). Usually the whole process takes about several months.
It is possible to avoid the negative consequences of receiving the complaint by ICCRC by providing timely and appropriate responses at each stage of the complaint investigation process.
What you should know:
Familiarize yourself with the ICCRC Code of Professional Ethics
The ICCRC Complaints and Professional Standards