Minister Marco Mendicino’s office yesterday claimed he was not involved in the backdating of documents to mislead a federal judge, despite internal emails showing that documents were sent to Mendicino’s office. Staff did not explain the discrepancy..“All discussions occurred at the officials level,” said Alexander Cohen, spokesperson for Mendicino. “Neither Minister Mendicino nor his office were involved.”.According to Blacklock's Reporter, staff emails show Mendicino’s department repeatedly cited references to “MINO,” the public service acronym for Minister’s Office. One email concerning a false news release issued in Mendicino’s name was specifically sent to the office for approval..“Privy Council Office has given us the green light to go live today at 1:00,” wrote Maureen McGrath, an assistant communications director. “We’re just waiting for MINO’s approval.”.Mendicino’s spokesperson yesterday did not explain the contradiction. The office blamed “human error” for incidents dating from 2020. Mendicino was then-Minister of Immigration and his department was involved in a trademark dispute with a private plaintiff in Federal Court..Records show Crown lawyers attended a November 20, 2020 hearing predicated on one of Mendicino’s bills, the College Of Immigration And Citizenship Consultants Act, being in force. “The hearing on November 20 was premised on the Act properly being proclaimed,” said the judge in the case..The Act was not in force. However, the Privy Council Office on November 20 issued a garbled website notice suggesting it was in force, Crown lawyers on November 25 wrote the judge claiming the Act was in force, and Mendicino’s department on November 26 issued a news release quoting him by name as stating the Act was in force. It wasn’t..The Act did not come into force until days later on December 9. Records show Department of Immigration staff knew the Court was misled and that the Minister’s Office would be contacted..“Following multiple conversations today with legal and Privy Council Office, below kindly find an outline of the College Act coming into force issue and our best advice to address it,” Alexis Graham, an immigration department policy director, wrote staff on December 2, 2020..“From a communications perspective a low key, responsive approach is preferred,” wrote Graham. “However, should the department choose a more proactive course, Communications is considering what action should be taken and will be ready to consult with the Minister’s Office and Privy Council Office on next steps.”.The Privy Council and Department of Justice have not commented. The House of Commons immigration committee meets today for a hearing on the matter.
