No charges after RCMP concludes investigation into P.E.I. immigration program

CHARLOTTETOWN – The RCMP in Prince Edward Island say a three-year investigation into allegations of fraud and bribery involving the province’s immigrant investor program has been closed and no charges will be laid.

Their investigation into the Provincial Nominee Program in P.E.I. started after allegations involving senior government officials were sent to the federal Immigration Department in September 2011.

The allegations surfaced after a former employee of the program alleged that senior provincial officials were bribed to expedite immigration applications.

The nominee program allowed foreign investors to fast-track receipt of Canadian visas by providing about $150,000, some of which was invested in P.E.I. companies.

The original program was shut down in 2008 after the federal government said it was operating outside rules that required immigrants to be actively involved in companies they invested in.

RCMP spokeswoman Sherry MacDougall says though the case is closed, the investigation could be reopened if new evidence is uncovered.

In August 2012, the Canada Border Services Agency said it hadn’t found sufficient evidence to lay charges under the federal Immigration and Refugee Protection Act following its investigation into the program.