The province’s auditor general wants to hear from immigrants who invested in P.E.I. companies through the Provincial Nominee Program.
Colin Younker is in the midst of his investigation into the PNP, launched in October after a number of controversial aspects of the program began surfacing.
He has spent the last few months reviewing files within the Department of Innovation and Advanced Learning and conducting interviews with people involved in the administration of the program.
Now the auditor general is interviewing immigrants who came to P.E.I. by investing in local companies through this program.
He’s putting the word out to any immigrants who fit this bill he’s interested in hearing from them if they would like to provide information. Younker’s office has placed ads in local newspapers to get the word out.
“Any immigrants who participated in the program, if they’re interested in talking to us can contact our office,’’ Younker said.
The Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) fast-tracked Canadian visas to immigrants who invested $200,000 on P.E.I. A portion of each investment went into an Island company.
The program was established to encourage more immigration to the province.
But serious questions have been raised about how the program was run after it was uncovered several MLAs and the former deputy minister in charge of the program accessed PNP money.
Questions have also been raised about hefty bonuses paid to employees who processed applications, about which Island business owners benefited from the immigrant funds, and why so many applications were put through in the last four months before the program ended.
A total of 1,877 PNP applications were processed between May and Sept. 2, 2008. This is more than double the total amount processed in all of 2007.
Some immigrants have raised questions also about the way their investments were handled. The PNP saw immigrants invest in P.E.I. companies by purchasing only preferred shares. The immigrants therefore do not have an active role within these companies.
The newcomers have also complained of problems in accessing $25,000 good faith deposits they were charged in addition to their PNP investments.
Opposition Leader Olive Crane is calling for a public inquiry into the program.
She has been pushing to have PNP administrators, as well as former deputy minister Brooke MacMillan and current deputy Michael Mayne, to appear before the public accounts committee to answer questions about the PNP. Innovation Minister Richard Brown has refused to allow this.
And as each of these items have one by one come to light over the past months, Younker has been conducting his investigation.
Immigrants who wish to provide information are asked to call his office at 368-4520 between 8:30 a.m. and 5 p.m. Monday to Friday.
Younker told The Guardian he hopes to have the final report on his PNP probe complete in time for his annual report, usually released in April.
The Guardian is committed to encouraging intelligent discourse among our readers and to creating a forum where diverse views and opinions on a wide range of topics can be aired. The forum you are in now is a result of our continuing efforts to facilitate a dynamic online conversation among our readers.
This is a moderated conversation. Once a reader follows the steps to register and submit his or her comment it goes to a moderator for the website. Once it has been approved, your comment will be displayed on the website. A comment may be edited or deleted for reasons of content or language.
All readers wishing to join a conversation must first sign in and agree to the Terms of Usage, which explain the rules of acceptable content.
George from pei writes: For those of you who are not familiar with the PNP process- note that, there will be an almost zero chance that the Auditor General will have contact with immigrants who were nominated under the PEI PNP between March 8-September 2, 2008. The PNP programs were established to assist in the expedition of applications plus allow provinces to have more say in their own immigration programs and process'. Currently, there are 950,000, applications in process at the federal level with that number expected to grow. Typically, it may take 5-10 years for an application to receive final decision at a federal level but under the provincial programs, it should be within a one year time frame of that apllication's nomination date to the federal government.
But I would encourage any and all people who have information to go forward to the Auditor General's office. If there are individuals that feel there has been criminal wrongdoing done to them through this process then they should contact the RCMP detachment.
On a nother note, Mossman- whoever you are- get the facts straight- The Civil Servants had nothing to do with the deiscions made in this program. Decisions made and put in place were done so by the previous deputy, the senior managers (2 Directors and a Manager- almost sounds like a sitcom, doesn't it) and yes Billy Dow had much to say also, especially surrounding investments and their approvals . The Auditor General needs to be able to talk to all staff members on a confidential level with assurance they will not lose his/her job. Good Day and Good Hunting!!
Please let us know if this reader's comment breaks the rules explained in the Terms of Usage and is obscene, abusive, threatening, unlawful, harassing, defamatory, profane or racially offensive by selecting the appropriate option to describe the problem.
Do not use this to complain about comments that don't break the rules, for example those comments that you disagree with or contain spelling errors or multiple postings.
Leave It Alone from PEI writes: THEY PAID FOR WHAT THEY GOT!! Stop wasting more money, looking for money, that's gone.
I have no smpathy for them. They paid for a service or a fast track to this country THEY wanted to come to. They got here faster than others back in their country that didn't put up the money. DONE! MOVE ON! DON'T CARE!
They've just been here long enough to know how to play the system .
Please let us know if this reader's comment breaks the rules explained in the Terms of Usage and is obscene, abusive, threatening, unlawful, harassing, defamatory, profane or racially offensive by selecting the appropriate option to describe the problem.
Do not use this to complain about comments that don't break the rules, for example those comments that you disagree with or contain spelling errors or multiple postings.
Taxpayer from Charlottetown, PEI writes: You're going to need a good shovel and a gas mask to get to the bottom of this one Colin.
Please let us know if this reader's comment breaks the rules explained in the Terms of Usage and is obscene, abusive, threatening, unlawful, harassing, defamatory, profane or racially offensive by selecting the appropriate option to describe the problem.
Do not use this to complain about comments that don't break the rules, for example those comments that you disagree with or contain spelling errors or multiple postings.
they did not invest from PEI writes: Mr Younker should get this straight. The immigrants did not invest in local companies. They paid $200,000 to get a visa. Some portion of that money went to local companies, but in no way can these immigrants be considered investors. do they know where their money went? Did they get to choose which companies received it? Can they get their money out? Do they have a say in the running of these companies? How can they be considered investors?
Please let us know if this reader's comment breaks the rules explained in the Terms of Usage and is obscene, abusive, threatening, unlawful, harassing, defamatory, profane or racially offensive by selecting the appropriate option to describe the problem.
Do not use this to complain about comments that don't break the rules, for example those comments that you disagree with or contain spelling errors or multiple postings.
Wong from pei writes: Please, anybody know where these ads are? I can't find it. If you know please let me know.
Please let us know if this reader's comment breaks the rules explained in the Terms of Usage and is obscene, abusive, threatening, unlawful, harassing, defamatory, profane or racially offensive by selecting the appropriate option to describe the problem.
Do not use this to complain about comments that don't break the rules, for example those comments that you disagree with or contain spelling errors or multiple postings.
keltikman from Charlottetown, PE writes: It is commendable that the Auditor General expects to have his report into this matter completed by the end of April . I must wonder though, given his limited resources, the length of time he will have to conduct his audit, and his access to immigrants, just how superficial will this audit be? Remember , the bulk of the applicants have never been to PEI. We are told they could not get exit visias to travel to Canada. That is why the officials form PEI went to China and Dubai.
It is unlikely the Auditor wiil travle to China or Dubai and there is no assurance that officals or applicants there will feel the need to cooperate with his office.
The most accurate account would be found if you follow the money Mr. Auditor General...FOLLOW THE MONEY!!
Please let us know if this reader's comment breaks the rules explained in the Terms of Usage and is obscene, abusive, threatening, unlawful, harassing, defamatory, profane or racially offensive by selecting the appropriate option to describe the problem.
Do not use this to complain about comments that don't break the rules, for example those comments that you disagree with or contain spelling errors or multiple postings.
Huh? from Charlottetown, PEI writes: Shouldn't this have been part of his plan all along?
Please let us know if this reader's comment breaks the rules explained in the Terms of Usage and is obscene, abusive, threatening, unlawful, harassing, defamatory, profane or racially offensive by selecting the appropriate option to describe the problem.
Do not use this to complain about comments that don't break the rules, for example those comments that you disagree with or contain spelling errors or multiple postings.
If there is Smoke their usually is Fire from Ch'town, pei writes: To Leave It Alone: Sounds like you are an Archie Bunker or maybe WORRIED about outcomes here. Your attitude stinks!
Please let us know if this reader's comment breaks the rules explained in the Terms of Usage and is obscene, abusive, threatening, unlawful, harassing, defamatory, profane or racially offensive by selecting the appropriate option to describe the problem.
Do not use this to complain about comments that don't break the rules, for example those comments that you disagree with or contain spelling errors or multiple postings.
lame brain doodling from charlottetown, pei writes: I don't think these people are trying to play any system. The whole program seems to have had a number of holes in iit and was apparently poorly run. I'm not saying anything illegal occured, just that the whole thing seems to be surrounded by thick fog. I don't know if our government skated over the edge but they certainly skated so close it is hard to tell the difference. Once again, I wonder if our province is the only one where this program is in question.
Please let us know if this reader's comment breaks the rules explained in the Terms of Usage and is obscene, abusive, threatening, unlawful, harassing, defamatory, profane or racially offensive by selecting the appropriate option to describe the problem.
Do not use this to complain about comments that don't break the rules, for example those comments that you disagree with or contain spelling errors or multiple postings.
Malcom X from pe writes: Premier Ghiz states this is a good program. How does he know if this was a good program or not! First has their been an measure on the number of immigrants that have stayed full time in PEI?
The Guardian also reported the unemployment rate has increased. Does the Premier know how this money was invested in Charlottetown Companies (for the most part).Did it create jobs did it make the ligitiate companies more efficient and competive? Or was the money used to buy vacations ,new cars/trucks or fix up homes /cottages,or simply put in their personal bank accounts.
I think the federal government (Auditor General) and RCMP should look into all aspects of this program. Mr. Premier as you say there is nothing wrong than let these people investigate or do you have something to hide. Maybe your friends didn`t do the right ethical,honourable thing in administrating this program.
As Mr. Mackinley says come clean and your Government has a chance to win the next election.
Please let us know if this reader's comment breaks the rules explained in the Terms of Usage and is obscene, abusive, threatening, unlawful, harassing, defamatory, profane or racially offensive by selecting the appropriate option to describe the problem.
Do not use this to complain about comments that don't break the rules, for example those comments that you disagree with or contain spelling errors or multiple postings.
Answer needed from PE writes: Bottom Line- How much money will the taxpayers owe whe all is said and done?
Please let us know if this reader's comment breaks the rules explained in the Terms of Usage and is obscene, abusive, threatening, unlawful, harassing, defamatory, profane or racially offensive by selecting the appropriate option to describe the problem.
Do not use this to complain about comments that don't break the rules, for example those comments that you disagree with or contain spelling errors or multiple postings.
Reply to leave it alone from PEI writes: You've got it wrong. This isn't about the immigrants. They paid $200K for their visas, and as long as they get their $25K back they've nothing to complain about. The stench is with the program and how it was administered. A bribe is a bribe, however you cut it.
Please let us know if this reader's comment breaks the rules explained in the Terms of Usage and is obscene, abusive, threatening, unlawful, harassing, defamatory, profane or racially offensive by selecting the appropriate option to describe the problem.
Do not use this to complain about comments that don't break the rules, for example those comments that you disagree with or contain spelling errors or multiple postings.
Don't believe the Hype from PE writes: Anyone who does not think that something was amiss here is kidding themselves. Yes the PNP was a good program. But there are always those that abuse good programs.
Personally, I could not care less how much some immigrant lost in this program. They are buying their way into our country, plain & simple. I have no doubt they were told what company they were investing in, who the owner was, and what the company did. Only an idiot would give the money otherwise. But that does not excuse our government from conducting itself in the proper manner with regards to the administation.
People should give the Auditor General some credit. He did a better job of the Polar Foods file than the RCMP did. At least he recommended it go to the RCMP, who than decided to do nothing with it.
If people used the money to buy boats, trucks, houses, vacations, ect, they had to put it through their business first. That means they had better pay tax on those wages they pulled out. You want to know who the most unforgiving people are in Canada? They can be found at CRA!
Lame Brain, you ask if our province is the only one in question....Not even close! N.S. has been looked at over a year ago and in that case there were criminal allegation and the RCMP has recommended charges. Our program is small. Every province has a PNP program and 40% of all immigrants were sponsered by Quebec. Lets hope they ran above board.
Also, to the best of my knowlege, and I admit that is limited, once the PNP applications were approved, the immigrants got Visas. The question is, once the Feds finish up, how many will qualify and who will have to return home? That being said, this means that the Auditor General can speak to them, if they are willing to speak to him.
Also, Ghiz states that Bill Dow has no decision making powers, he just provided the legal opinion. That could be the case. If so, it was Brooke MacMillan making the decisions. I wonder what he will say if the Auditor General decides to pin the whole thing on him. People in his position seldom fall on their own swords alone.
Please let us know if this reader's comment breaks the rules explained in the Terms of Usage and is obscene, abusive, threatening, unlawful, harassing, defamatory, profane or racially offensive by selecting the appropriate option to describe the problem.
Do not use this to complain about comments that don't break the rules, for example those comments that you disagree with or contain spelling errors or multiple postings.
Ashamed Liberal from O'Leary, PEI writes: That is what you get when;
a. Place a fundraiser for the Liberals with NO GOVERNMENT EXPERIENCE as a Deputy Minister in Charge of a gov't department (also with c'town business interests) = recipe for disaster
b. Having well connected Liberal business people writing rules for the program with connections to the Premiers Office
c. Ignore Federal bureaucrats on concerns about the program
This program will haunt the Liberals into the next election and may not be their downfall but certainly they will drop many seats- especially in areas in Prince and Kings county where the opinion of their own party members as the select few in the capital feeding at the trough. Funny to see 2 Summerside MLAs on compass a few weeks ago blocking the opposition on the public accounts committee- clappers.
Please let us know if this reader's comment breaks the rules explained in the Terms of Usage and is obscene, abusive, threatening, unlawful, harassing, defamatory, profane or racially offensive by selecting the appropriate option to describe the problem.
Do not use this to complain about comments that don't break the rules, for example those comments that you disagree with or contain spelling errors or multiple postings.
No Party affiliation from PEI writes: Olive Crane is right. Keep digging and get a Public Inquiry going. Likely won't happen until after AG report. Mr. AG, please dig deep, don't just look at the paper, interview the people who USED to work there. Not to mention the immigrants who are not here yet!
Please let us know if this reader's comment breaks the rules explained in the Terms of Usage and is obscene, abusive, threatening, unlawful, harassing, defamatory, profane or racially offensive by selecting the appropriate option to describe the problem.
Do not use this to complain about comments that don't break the rules, for example those comments that you disagree with or contain spelling errors or multiple postings.
George from pei writes: A response to Don't believe the hype ..Regarding pnp nominations..once an immigrant's application has been completed and nomination forwarded to the appropriate federal embassy, it then sits in cue for processing until such times the federal officers provide their due diligence on the file which would include such things as documents/ transcripts submitted, medical and security. Under the PNP programs, as mentioned earlier, the process is expedited, therefore, they are not provided an instant visa just because the province has nominated that file..The federal officers will then review each application and base their decision. Timeframe under a pnp program is typically a one year window for processing of said application and a decision made whether to approve or decline. If the applicant is declined at the federal level, then the province 's department responsible for the program, will be required to pay back such fees as good faith deposit, language deposit and...the question of the ay is Who will be pay back the investor monies? , to these clients who will be declined. The immigrant invests monies as a preferred shareholder in the company and as per the department's website The Immigrant Partner is appointed as a director of the Board of Directors of the investee company and fully discharges the legal, fiduciary and other duties of a director to the company, as required by law.
Part of the Immigrant Partner's due diligence in respect of the investment should include the potential risks accruing to directors of the investee. Independent legal advice should be obtained by the Immigrant Partner concerning appropriate risk remediation measures, including director’s liability insurance coverage;
OR
The Immigrant Partner is employed as a senior manager of the investee company at the O level of the National Occupational Code. It is to be emphasized that the Immigrant Partner shall be an employee of the investee company, hired to do a real job, which is fully and completely described in a position description and appropriately compensated at prevailing market rates.
This has never been about bad optics it is about poor management of a good program and what lasting effects it will have on us as a Province. It shouldn't be about what party color you are or are assumed to be, it should be about what is right and what is wrong. There are grey areas everywhere in life but there are some lines that should just not be crossed. As it is quite plain to see something of this magnitude can easily bring a government to their knees ...even before the jury states their decision . It just so happens that greed and entitlement surfaced to an all new level since this party has taken the reigns.
This program has opened the public's eyes to more than what we bargained for, it also begs the questions, if such accusations that are being made are found to be true..these people with designations such as a CA or Lawyer will they be brought in front of the Law Society and the CA Association. As most know with these designations , individuals are held accountable by specific principles such as a CA, they are bound by GAPP and other such areas. This might be the beginning of a dam opening up and just not enough sand bags around to stop the sewage from getting through...
Please let us know if this reader's comment breaks the rules explained in the Terms of Usage and is obscene, abusive, threatening, unlawful, harassing, defamatory, profane or racially offensive by selecting the appropriate option to describe the problem.
Do not use this to complain about comments that don't break the rules, for example those comments that you disagree with or contain spelling errors or multiple postings.
Something smells from charlottetown writes: when did the deputy leave the dept.Why?
Was it sudden?We are not stupid although the people down town think we are.
Please let us know if this reader's comment breaks the rules explained in the Terms of Usage and is obscene, abusive, threatening, unlawful, harassing, defamatory, profane or racially offensive by selecting the appropriate option to describe the problem.
Do not use this to complain about comments that don't break the rules, for example those comments that you disagree with or contain spelling errors or multiple postings.
Michael from PEI writes: Minister Richard Brown has refused to allow this. Can Brown do this?
Brooke MacMillian and current Deputy Maine certainly DO have to be brought before The Public Accounts Committee even if it means Court Ordering them to appear. All of them are PUBLIC SERVANTS-their wages and bonuses, their Expense Accounts, ALL of it, paid for with OUR public monies. I can assure You, I don't like being stolen from. If there's one thing I can say I honestly hate is a person who is a Theif and a Liar.
There definitly IS room in this situation to have the Federal Auditor General assisting in this Investigation and Colin Younker should becontacting her NOW to ask for her proven Expertise in exposing Liars and Thieves stealing my and my families and Yours-public monies.
Please let us know if this reader's comment breaks the rules explained in the Terms of Usage and is obscene, abusive, threatening, unlawful, harassing, defamatory, profane or racially offensive by selecting the appropriate option to describe the problem.
Do not use this to complain about comments that don't break the rules, for example those comments that you disagree with or contain spelling errors or multiple postings.
Prospective immigrant from abroad writes: I read by chance the above and wanted to add a few comments from an immigrant point of view:
- Looking to the comments above, I see PNP is totally unfamiliar to the Islanders.
Maybe its advantages should be better explained to them.
- How can the Auditor General expect immigrants respond to the ads on local newspapers? Most people who were approved as nominees during 2008 are still in their homeland, like myself, waiting for their federal processing to finish.
- What George describes above:
The immigrant invests monies as a preferred shareholder in the company and as per the department's website The Immigrant Partner is appointed as a director of the Board of Directors of the investee company and fully discharges the legal, fiduciary and other duties of a director to the company, as required by law.
Part of the Immigrant Partner's due diligence in respect of the investment should include the potential risks accruing to directors of the investee. Independent legal advice should be obtained by the Immigrant Partner concerning appropriate risk remediation measures, including director’s liability insurance coverage;
OR
The Immigrant Partner is employed as a senior manager of the investee company at the O level of the National Occupational Code. It is to be emphasized that the Immigrant Partner shall be an employee of the investee company, hired to do a real job, which is fully and completely described in a position description and appropriately compensated at prevailing market rates.
is the theory, but is not the practice. In practice, the immigrant gives away his/her money (CAD 105,000) to an intermediate company (instead of investing CAD 200,000 for four years and getting it back with dividends if the company proves to be successful!) who takes over the risk of investment (this is what I understood). The intermediate company then completes the capital to CAD 200,000 and makes the investment to a local PEI company for four years as described above. So the immigrant does not have any information nor any participation about the investment decision.
I don't believe there is misconduct with the funds, however. I think this had to be done through an intermediary because there are not too many big companies to invest in PEI, but rather small businesses who don't even have a board of directors or like.
- It is very true that the immigration officers spent day and night during summer which I think justifies bonuses. (no holidays in summer, it stinks, isn't it?)
Please let us know if this reader's comment breaks the rules explained in the Terms of Usage and is obscene, abusive, threatening, unlawful, harassing, defamatory, profane or racially offensive by selecting the appropriate option to describe the problem.
Do not use this to complain about comments that don't break the rules, for example those comments that you disagree with or contain spelling errors or multiple postings.
john macdonald from PEI writes: I see where Lank Farms when bankrupt a couple of weeks back. I guess that's how you get out of paying immigrants back
Please let us know if this reader's comment breaks the rules explained in the Terms of Usage and is obscene, abusive, threatening, unlawful, harassing, defamatory, profane or racially offensive by selecting the appropriate option to describe the problem.
Do not use this to complain about comments that don't break the rules, for example those comments that you disagree with or contain spelling errors or multiple postings.
Glen from Toronto, Ontario writes: HEY...HEY ! ! Ottawa , You reading this
PEI =Preferred, Enriched, Immigrants.
Sorry but all others to Toronto...
Please let us know if this reader's comment breaks the rules explained in the Terms of Usage and is obscene, abusive, threatening, unlawful, harassing, defamatory, profane or racially offensive by selecting the appropriate option to describe the problem.
Do not use this to complain about comments that don't break the rules, for example those comments that you disagree with or contain spelling errors or multiple postings.
JD from PE writes: The question I would like to know is just what is Mr. Mayne's involvement in this scandal.
Does seem a tad funny that he was put in place to replace MacMillan.
We know now somewhat was MacMillan's involvement. Now just how far were Mayane's Hands in this ever growing scandal.
Please let us know if this reader's comment breaks the rules explained in the Terms of Usage and is obscene, abusive, threatening, unlawful, harassing, defamatory, profane or racially offensive by selecting the appropriate option to describe the problem.
Do not use this to complain about comments that don't break the rules, for example those comments that you disagree with or contain spelling errors or multiple postings.
NOTE
The management of this site emphasizes that it is in no way liable for persons, physical or legal, who are hosted here. Moreover, the managers of this site may not be held liable for errors and omissions that may slip into the information displayed in these reader comments. Everyone who submits a comment should read, understand and agree to the Terms of Usage for this section.
1
