Filipiniana News – December 2012 RHYME & REASON Despite the entry into force of a laudable legislation termed, “Cracking Down on Crooked Consultants” (Bill C-35) in June 2011, it appears that ghosts consultants are still operating in these parts with relative impunity. For those not familiar with the term, “ghost consultants” usually refer to people who accept fees or other consideration for providing immigration advice or services but whose identities are not on any of the documentation submitted to the government mainly because they are not duly-licensed lawyers, paralegals or immigration consultants. Bill C-35 (officially called, An Act to Amend the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act), makes it an “ offence for anyone other than an authorized representative to conduct business, for a fee or other consideration, at any stage of an application or proceeding.” Ghost consultants therefore, are clearly punishable under this law and if found guilty, coul