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Representation - Paralegals - Professional Organizations. Caruso v. Law Society of Ontario
In Caruso v. Law Society of Ontario (Ont CA, 2025) the Ontario Court of Appeal considered a combined motion for intervention by several paralegal-related entities, here in an appeal from a JR dismissing the appellant's "application challenging the Law Society of Ontario’s restrictions on the permitted scope of practice for paralegals in immigration matters".
The granted intervenors were professional paralegal (or related) organizations, as follows:[2] Four organizations seek leave to intervene in this appeal as friends of the court, pursuant to Rule 13.02 of the Rules of Civil Procedure, R.R.O. 1990, Reg. 194: the Ontario Paralegal Association (“OPA”), the College of Immigration and Citizenship Consultants (“CICC”), the Canadian Immigration Lawyers Association (“CILA”), and the Canadian Paralegal Alliance (“CPA”).
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[11] OPA is the largest professional association of licensed paralegals in Ontario, with nearly 1000 members. OPA’s mandate is to improve the working experience of paralegals and to advocate for their needs in the industry, on behalf of its paralegal body of members.
[12] OPA provides career guidance and continuing education opportunities, lists the concerns of members, and represents member interests throughout Ontario. OPA submits that its membership’s concerns include the impact of the Divisional Court’s decision, which restricts paralegals’ scope of practice.
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[17] CILA is a non-partisan and non-profit association focused exclusively on immigration law, with approximately 540 members. It provides professional resources and mentorship, and promotes positive change in the Canadian immigration system for all immigrants, newcomers and persons that having dealings with Canadian immigration and citizenship laws. It participates in advocacy activities regarding competent and ethical representation of immigration clients.
[18] CILA also engages in stakeholder consultations with IRCC and other ministries and organizations and makes regular appearances before various committees. Its participation has included consultations with Public Safety Canada, Employment and Social Development Canada, Global Affairs Canada, Members of Parliament, and the Federal Court of Canada, and it has made appearances before the House of Commons Standing Committee on Citizenship and Immigration, the Senate of Canada’s Standing Committee on Social Affairs, Science and Technology. CILA also contributes to the Federal Court of Canada’s Bench and Bar Liaison Committee.
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(3) CICC
[21] CICC is a not-for-profit corporation established by the College of Immigration and Citizenship Consultants Act (“CICCA”). It is the successor to the ICCRC, which was previously designated by the federal government as the regulatory body of all registered immigration and citizenship consultants.
[22] As set out in its motion record, CICC protects the public by licensing and regulating immigration consultants, who must meet certain enumerated criteria, follow the CICC’s regulations, and are subject to a complaints/disciplinary process. Members in good standing of CICC are authorized to represent and receive compensation for advising persons in connection with proceedings and applications under the IRPA and Citizenship Act.
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[26] .... CICC identifies itself as the federally established body created to govern and regulate immigration consultants, with a mandate of ensuring a consistent standard of competence from non-lawyers who seek to provide immigration consulting services. ....
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