Quebec’s immigration minister says she will check whether the alleged issuance of more than 100 Quebec Selection Certificates to ineligible applicants was confined to this case.
On Nov. 4, the Commissaire à la lutte contre la corruption, Quebec’s anti-corruption commissioner, said Marilena Ida is accused of breach of trust and fabrication of false documents. The alleged conduct dates from Aug. 22, 2016, to Feb. 3, 2019, when she served as interim coordinator of the Quebec Experience Program. The commissioner alleges she issued more than 100 CSQs to applicants who did not meet eligibility requirements.
The program was for foreign students who graduated in Quebec and temporary foreign workers. A CSQ confirms that Quebec selected a person to settle in the province; the holder must still apply to the federal government for permanent residence and meet its requirements.
Quebec Immigration Minister Catherine Gentilcore said in a Nov. 7 statement that she was “very shocked” by the revelations. She said she would check in the coming days whether the incident was confined to this case and whether steps to prevent a repeat had been taken.
The minister’s office said Marilena Ida left the ministry in 2019 and that controls had since been strengthened, but did not describe the changes. Marilena Ida is scheduled to appear at the Montreal courthouse on Dec. 10, the commissioner said.
