WEBINAR - AMSSA: IRPA Section 91 Understanding Immigration Information versus Immigration Advice

Section 91 of the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act (IRPA) prohibits anyone from advising or representing a person on an IRPA proceeding or application “for consideration” unless the person is registered with a regulatory body such as lawyers or immigration consultants or if the person is acting in accordance with an agreement or arrangement with the Government of Canada. “For consideration” was interpreted for many years by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) to include anyone who receives a salary for their work such as NGO settlement staff.

Immigration matters that affect newcomers’ ability to be in and stay in Canada have always been concerns that are brought by SPO clients, even more so due to recent policy changes affecting refugee claimants as well as temporary residents such as international students and temporary foreign workers. In October 2024, IRCC adopted a different interpretation of “consideration” to mean salaried staff at NGOs who provide immigration advice or representation will not be committing an offense under IRPA as long as no compensation for the service is provided by the client, directly or indirectly.

While immigration advice is not allowed through provincial and federal settlement funding, with the creation of the new BC Safe Haven program that supports clients with form filling and immigration information and the changes in settlement staff over the past few years, it is important that settlement staff are aware of the scope of their role and the services they are allowed to provide. This webinar will provide an understanding of immigration information and immigration advice, clearly defining each and showing the differences between immigration information and immigration advice, using case studies from BC Newcomer Service Program and BC Safe Haven client situations to illustrate.

Speaker:
Will Tao – Found & Principal Lawyer, Heron Law Offices

Registration Details:
Date: January 16, 2026
Time: 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM PT
Location: Zoom Webinar - Event details will be emailed immediately after registration  

WEBINAR – AMSSA: IRPA Section 91 Understanding Immigration Information versus Immigration Advice

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