Shedding some light

PNP agent who described P.E.I.’s re-appointment process as ‘unlawful’ to speak at national immigration conference

A former PNP agent who filed a court action against the province has been invited to speak about P.E.I.’s immigration system during a national conference being held today.

Henry Phillips of H.P. Consultants is scheduled to speak during the Conference Board of Canada’s National Immigration Summit Conference in Ottawa.

H.P. Consultants issued a release saying the conference is designed to share the latest research findings on the key issues affecting Canadian entrepreneur and investor immigration.

“(Phillips) will cover the history of the PNP over the past 15 years and will have observations on the strength and weaknesses of the program.”

Phillips was in headlines late last year when his company filed for a judicial review of government’s approval of 12 new PNP intermediaries, alleging the province’s re-appointment process was “unlawful” and favoured companies with political and personal ties to government.

Phillips said that court action is still ongoing and said he hoped it would be wrapped up by spring.

A provincial spokesperson declined to comment on Phillips’ participation in conference.

“As government is not hosting this conference, it’s not something we would comment on the line up of participants.”

“(Phillips) will cover the history of the PNP over the past 15 years and will have observations on the strength and weaknesses of the program.”

H.P. Consultants

H.P. Consultants was the only one of seven original PNP intermediaries, whose job it is to attract potential immigrants to P.E.I. under the program, who did not get reappointed by the province. Six new companies were also added, one of which was not incorporated at the time and had the treasurer of the governing Liberal party of P.E.I. listed as a shareholder.

In September, the province announced it was closing the entrepreneur stream of the PNP, which was after Canada Border Services Agency announced it was investigating alleged immigration fraud rings.

The conference website says the session Phillips will take part in includes speakers from Atlantic Canada to provide updates on the PNP entrepreneur streams in their provinces.

“They will shed light on the current state of the streams, recent and forthcoming developments, the business supports that they offer to entrepreneurs, the performance of the streams and will be available to answer your questions,” said the conference.