Hugues Mbala Diata of Montreal appeared on October 1, 2025 at the Montreal courthouse to face various charges under the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act (IRPA), in connection with the illegal entry into Canada of several nationals from the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
The charges stem from an investigation launched in 2023 when a border services officer uncovered evidence of Mr. Mbala Diata's improper involvement in refugee claimant cases. The investigation revealed his involvement in various aspects of arranging the travel of these foreign nationals to Canada, including obtaining false documents and inducing misrepresentation to Canadian authorities upon arrival.
On August 18, 2025, the Public Prosecution Service of Canada (PPSC) authorized 22 criminal charges, which were laid by the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA). Mr. Mbala Diata is charged with:
- 6 counts of counselling misrepresentation (section 126 IRPA);
- 1 count of misrepresentation (section 127 IRPA);
- 1 count of possession of false documents (section 122(1)(a) IRPA);
- 3 counts of using false documents (section 122(1)(b) IRPA);
- 3 counts of forgery (section 122(1)(c) IRPA);
- 7 counts of aiding in the use of false documents (sections 131 and 122(1)(b) IRPA); and
- 1 count of acting as an immigration consultant without being an authorized representative (s. 91 IRPA).
These charges will have to be validated by the court.
Canadian law is clear: anyone who induces, assists, or encourages someone to enter the country knowing-or willfully ignoring-that such entry is contrary to the law is committing a criminal offense.
