We, the undersigned Regulated Canadian Immigration Consultants (RCICs), are proud to be part of a profession that upholds the integrity and standards of immigration consulting in Canada. We value the role the CICC plays in regulating and supporting our profession. However, the current economic, professional, and political environment has created significant challenges, making the current membership fees difficult for many of us to afford.

Several factors contribute to the growing strain on RCICs:

1. Reduction in Immigration Programs: The Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has reduced the number of immigration programs available, limiting the opportunities for RCICs to serve clients. This has had a direct impact on our business revenue and sustainability.
2. Political and Economic Uncertainty: The unstable political climate, both within Canada and globally, has created uncertainties in immigration policies, discouraging potential clients from proceeding with immigration applications. This has further diminished the number of clients seeking services from RCICs.
3. Recession in Canada: The current economic recession has led to financial hardships, both for RCICs and their clients. This downturn has caused a decrease in clients, further straining our ability to manage operational costs, including membership fees.
4. Proliferation of Unregulated or "Ghost" Consultants: The growing presence of unregulated and illegal "ghost" consultants continues to undermine the credibility of our profession. Despite efforts to combat these individuals, many RCICs feel that there has not been enough effective action taken against them. Their increasing presence takes away legitimate business from regulated consultants and threatens the integrity of the profession.
5. Rising Number of Immigration Consultants: The annual increase in the number of licensed immigration consultants further saturates the market. This growing competition, combined with reduced immigration programs and the presence of ghost consultants, makes it increasingly difficult for RCICs to maintain viable businesses.

Our Request:

In light of these combined challenges, we respectfully request that the CICC:

1. Reduce Annual Membership Fees: We ask the CICC to consider lowering the annual membership fees to reflect the difficult professional and economic conditions we currently face. This reduction would provide much-needed financial relief to RCICs struggling to sustain their practices.
2. Acknowledge the Growing Professional Challenges: We urge the CICC to take into account the multiple challenges facing RCICs today, including economic recession, competition from illegal and unregulated practitioners, and the growing number of licensed consultants. Addressing these issues through fee reduction would allow RCICs to focus on providing high-quality services without the added burden of financial stress.

We fully support the regulatory role of the CICC and appreciate the services provided. However, in these trying times, we believe that adjusting the membership fee structure is necessary to support RCICs in maintaining their professional standing while continuing to serve the immigration needs of their clients.

We hope the CICC will take these concerns into consideration and act in the best interest of its members during these difficult times.