Scammers impersonating Rural Community Immigration Pilot members, volunteers warn

FORT ST. JOHN, B.C. — The volunteers behind the northeast B.C. Rural Community Immigration Pilot program are warning local businesses about people impersonating them and encouraging companies to make illegal hiring decisions.

The Rural Community Immigration Pilot program allows designated employers to recommend their immigrant employees as candidates for permanent residency.

According to a press release from Community Futures Peace Liard and Northern Lights College — the two organizations facilitating the initiative in the north — the program has received notice of people in the region offering companies cash incentives in exchange for hiring foreign workers from outside of Canada.

“We want to make it very clear: these practices are not legal,” the release reads. 

“There are significant and regulated processes that must be followed to bring foreign workers into the country. Attempting to bypass these processes places both employers and workers at serious risk of legal and financial consequences.”

Allegedly, these individuals have falsely claimed to be associated with the Rural Community Immigration Pilot program. Members of the two organizations say they do not engage or promote the services of immigration or recruitment consultants, and they don’t intend to.

“We are advising all businesses and community members to exercise caution,” the release reads. “If approached by individuals offering recruitment services under the name of NEBC Immigration, please decline and report the interaction to the appropriate authorities.”

Anyone who believes they have been a victim of a scam can contact the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre. To read more about the Rural Community Immigration Pilot program, click here.