Greens call for AG to audit PNP immigration program
Government must not be allowed to taint the program, says Hannah Bell
The PCs and Greens continue to press the P.E.I. government on allegations of immigration fraud connected to the Island's provincial nominee program, known as the PNP.
On Monday, Canadian Border Services charged two Island residents, alleging the pair helped foreign nationals get permanent residency on P.E.I. by providing false information.
Border services claims 566 approved immigrants used just two addresses on the Island as their residence: a motel and a private home.
Green MLA Hannah Bell presented a motion in the legislature Thursday calling on government to ask the auditor general for a special audit on part of the PNP.
"My broader concerns relate more to the program objectives, administration and oversight. I would also like to make it perfectly clear that my concerns are around the business impact category of the program, not the overall labour stream," she said.
"Prince Edward Island has been given a wonderful opportunity to counter the outmigration that has plagued Atlantic Canada since the end of the golden era of shipbuilding at the end of the 19th century. It is vitally important that we do not allow poor administration, the P.E.I. government's narrow view of strategic sectors, or a thirst for escrow account defaults to taint this new program and result in the federal government once again shutting it down."
The federal government closed PNP in 2008 and relaunched it under new rules. Palmer said Canada Border Services is not investigating his department, adding the province is taking the situation very seriously and continues to work and cooperate with border services.
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With files from Krystalle Ramlakhan