Quebec immigration minister ‘shocked’ by more than 100 cases of alleged fraud

Corruption probe finds alleged immigration fraud
Corruption probe finds alleged immigration fraud
Immigration Minister Catherine Gentilcore is sworn in at the legislature in Quebec City on Wednesday, Oct. 21, 2026.
THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jacques Boissinot
Writer

Quebec Immigration Minister Catherine Gentilcore says she is "deeply shocked" by alleged fraud incidents uncovered by the province's anti-corruption agency.

In a news release this weekend, Gentilcore said the "necessary measures have been put in place" to ensure that about 100 cases of alleged immigration fraud linked to a former government employee remain an isolated incident.

Ex-Immigration Ministry bureaucrat Marilena Ida has been charged with breach of trust and document forgery after an investigation by Quebec's anti-corruption commissioner.

The agency alleged last week that as an interim co-ordinator, Ida issued more than 100 false Quebec selection certificates to candidates who did not meet the requirements.

A certificate must be obtained from the province before applying to Ottawa for permanent residence in Quebec, with criteria including French proficiency, education and work history.

The agency alleges the incidents took place between August 2016 and February 2019. Ida is scheduled to appear in a Montreal courthouse on Dec. 10.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Nov. 8, 2026.

Copyright 2026, The Canadian Press. All rights reserved.

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