Lawsuit involves Saint John immigration consultant

A Chinese entrepreneur is suing an immigration consultant and a shop owner in Saint John, alleging he was misled on a $100,000 investment, including with a contract that said one thing in Chinese and something else in English.

In a statement of claim filed June 20 at the New Brunswick Court of Queen's Bench, Yang Shao Min accuses immigration consultant Pierre Rouleau, Paul's Flower Shop and the shop's owner, Mark Farwell, of not living up to a business agreement.

The statement of claim says that Min went into business with Farwell, after Rouleau introduced them in2004. Min hoped that by makinga $100,000 investment inthe Canadian business, he might qualify as an immigrant entrepreneur to obtain a permanent resident visaunder a provincial program.

According to the document, Min and Farwell signed a contract in August 2004 toopen a second location of Paul's Flower Shop in uptown Saint John.

Under the contract, Min would operate the second location, whileFarwell wouldprovide the business expertise and training, and Rouleau would provide translation and additional training.

The statement of claim alleges Min was told that the flower shop would be a restaurant.

It also says he was given two versions of the agreement, one in Chinese and the other in English, which Min could not read.

The claim alleges the Chinese version promised 60 per cent of the voting shares of the company would be transferred to Min, whilethe English version guaranteed only 40 per cent.

In the claim, Min is asking for his money back, as well as damages and court costs.

None of the allegations have been proven in court.

In New Brunswick, defendantsin lawsuits must file a statement of defence within 20 days of being served.