The “Innocent Mistake” Defence to Misrepresentation

Meurrens LawJudicial Reviews

Canadian immigration law provides that a person who makes an application must answer truthfully all questions put to them for the purpose of the examination.  One of the most difficult issues to resolve when an individual is immigrating to Canada are allegations from the Government of Canada about misrepresentation. Section 40(1)(a) of Canada’s Immigration and Refugee Protection Act states provides that a permanent resident or a foreign national is inadmissible to Canada for misrepresentation for directly or indirectly misrepresenting or withholding material facts relating to a relevant matter that induces or could induce an error in the administration of Canadian immigration law. Every visa applicant has a duty of candour to provide complete, honest and truthful information when applying for entry to Canada.  Any misrepresentation, whether direct or indirect, that either induces, or could induce, an error by a visa officer in the performance of his or her duties, can result in a person being barred from Canada for five years. Intention A significant issue that often arises is whether or not a misrepresentation has to be intentional.  The jurisprudence consistently provides that in order for a finding of misrepresentation to be made an applicant does not have to intend to … Read More