Latest news with #YukonSupremeCourt
Yahoo
28-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Second man files lawsuit against Whitehorse immigration consultant alleging he was scammed out of nearly $500k
A second person has filed a lawsuit against a Whitehorse immigration consultant and one of her family members, alleging they scammed him out of nearly half a million dollars under the guise of helping him with the Yukon Business Nominee Program. Franklin Lee filed a statement of claim to the Yukon Supreme Court on May 12 against Maggie Ozen, her immigration consulting business and her brother-in-law, Ivan Tang. The Hong Kong national alleges that he was told to invest hundreds of thousands of dollars into a dry-cleaning venture with Tang and paid tens of thousands more in fees to Ozen, only to be trapped in an untenable business situation and no closer to his immigration goal. He's suing for $471,000 as well as other damages and costs. Besides suing for his money back, Lee wants the court to declare that his business nominee program agreement is void or not enforceable against him. No statements of defence have been filed yet. Ozen, reached by phone, declined to comment on the lawsuit other than to say she wanted to share the "true story" once the case is settled. Tang did not respond to a message on social media. Lee's lawsuit is the second one filed this year involving Ozen, her immigration consulting business and the Yukon Nominee Business Program. Another man, Wenbin Zhang, sued Ozen, her husband and another immigration consultant earlier this year alleging that he lost his life savings after investing in a convenience store under the belief that it would help him obtain permanent residency through the program. Vancouver-based lawyer Jimmy Burg, who's representing both Lee and Zhang in their respective lawsuits, wrote in an email that taken together, "these actions suggest a potential pattern." "Ms. Ozen may be using the [business nominee program to] cultivate relationships of trust with immigrants and induce them to invest their funds into her various family-controlled entities on the false promise of Canadian citizenship," he alleged. "The Plaintiffs claim that this conduct represents a breach of fiduciary duty." Neither case has been tested at trial. Lee's finances, immigration prospects 'irreparably harmed,' lawsuit claims According to his statement of claim, Lee was introduced to Ozen in February 2021 while he was still living in Hong Kong, from which Lee and his family wanted to emigrate due to political unrest. Ozen, the lawsuit alleges, told Lee that she could "secure his immigration to Canada" via the Yukon Business Nominee Program. The program, run by the Yukon and federal governments, offers foreigners a two-year work permit during which they must purchase or open and run a business in the territory. Should they meet program requirements, which include fulfilling a program agreement that often outlines certain conditions and metrics their businesses must meet, the Yukon government will nominate them for permanent residency. The lawsuit claims that Ozen told Lee she would arrange a "business venture related to a dry-cleaning service and laundromat" into which Lee would invest $300,000, and that if he paid her $80,000, she would "liaise" with the Yukon and federal governments on his behalf. Ozen, the lawsuit alleges, told Lee that he would have a partner in the business — Tang, whom Lee did not know was Ozen's brother-in-law and was also trying to immigrate to Canada. The business was named Enviro Clean and opened in June 2022. The statement of claim makes a series of allegations about Ozen's involvement in the set-up and operations, including having an invoice falsified, charging additional fees and expenses and providing advice contrary to program policies. Tang, meanwhile, allegedly paid himself with business funds without Lee's permission and assaulted Lee "in a fit of rage" after Lee asked him to "take on more of the dry-cleaning work and a more equitable share of business management and operations." The lawsuit also claims Tang caused the business to lose money due to "mismanagement," including telling dozens of customers that dry-cleaning equipment was broken when it wasn't. Ozen, according to the lawsuit, withdrew as Lee's immigration representative this January while Tang "abandoned" the business after finding "another method to secure his immigration status," leaving Lee's "legal and financial interests and ability to immigrate into Canada… irreparably harmed."
Yahoo
27-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Second man files lawsuit against Whitehorse immigration consultant alleging he was scammed out of nearly $500k
A second person has filed a lawsuit against a Whitehorse immigration consultant and one of her family members, alleging they scammed him out of nearly half a million dollars under the guise of helping him with the Yukon Business Nominee Program. Franklin Lee filed a statement of claim to the Yukon Supreme Court on May 12 against Maggie Ozen, her immigration consulting business and her brother-in-law, Ivan Tang. The Hong Kong national alleges that he was told to invest hundreds of thousands of dollars into a dry-cleaning venture with Tang and paid tens of thousands more in fees to Ozen, only to be trapped in an untenable business situation and no closer to his immigration goal. He's suing for $471,000 as well as other damages and costs. Besides suing for his money back, Lee wants the court to declare that his business nominee program agreement is void or not enforceable against him. No statements of defence have been filed yet. Ozen, reached by phone, declined to comment on the lawsuit other than to say she wanted to share the "true story" once the case is settled. Tang did not respond to a message on social media. Lee's lawsuit is the second one filed this year involving Ozen, her immigration consulting business and the Yukon Nominee Business Program. Another man, Wenbin Zhang, sued Ozen, her husband and another immigration consultant earlier this year alleging that he lost his life savings after investing in a convenience store under the belief that it would help him obtain permanent residency through the program. Vancouver-based lawyer Jimmy Burg, who's representing both Lee and Zhang in their respective lawsuits, wrote in an email that taken together, "these actions suggest a potential pattern." "Ms. Ozen may be using the [business nominee program to] cultivate relationships of trust with immigrants and induce them to invest their funds into her various family-controlled entities on the false promise of Canadian citizenship," he alleged. "The Plaintiffs claim that this conduct represents a breach of fiduciary duty." Neither case has been tested at trial. Lee's finances, immigration prospects 'irreparably harmed,' lawsuit claims According to his statement of claim, Lee was introduced to Ozen in February 2021 while he was still living in Hong Kong, from which Lee and his family wanted to emigrate due to political unrest. Ozen, the lawsuit alleges, told Lee that she could "secure his immigration to Canada" via the Yukon Business Nominee Program. The program, run by the Yukon and federal governments, offers foreigners a two-year work permit during which they must purchase or open and run a business in the territory. Should they meet program requirements, which include fulfilling a program agreement that often outlines certain conditions and metrics their businesses must meet, the Yukon government will nominate them for permanent residency. The lawsuit claims that Ozen told Lee she would arrange a "business venture related to a dry-cleaning service and laundromat" into which Lee would invest $300,000, and that if he paid her $80,000, she would "liaise" with the Yukon and federal governments on his behalf. Ozen, the lawsuit alleges, told Lee that he would have a partner in the business — Tang, whom Lee did not know was Ozen's brother-in-law and was also trying to immigrate to Canada. The business was named Enviro Clean and opened in June 2022. The statement of claim makes a series of allegations about Ozen's involvement in the set-up and operations, including having an invoice falsified, charging additional fees and expenses and providing advice contrary to program policies. Tang, meanwhile, allegedly paid himself with business funds without Lee's permission and assaulted Lee "in a fit of rage" after Lee asked him to "take on more of the dry-cleaning work and a more equitable share of business management and operations." The lawsuit also claims Tang caused the business to lose money due to "mismanagement," including telling dozens of customers that dry-cleaning equipment was broken when it wasn't. Ozen, according to the lawsuit, withdrew as Lee's immigration representative this January while Tang "abandoned" the business after finding "another method to secure his immigration status," leaving Lee's "legal and financial interests and ability to immigrate into Canada… irreparably harmed."
Yahoo
27-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Second man files lawsuit against Whitehorse immigration consultant alleging he was scammed out of nearly $500k
A second person has filed a lawsuit against a Whitehorse immigration consultant and one of her family members, alleging they scammed him out of nearly half a million dollars under the guise of helping him with the Yukon Business Nominee Program. Franklin Lee filed a statement of claim to the Yukon Supreme Court on May 12 against Maggie Ozen, her immigration consulting business and her brother-in-law, Ivan Tang. The Hong Kong national alleges that he was told to invest hundreds of thousands of dollars into a dry-cleaning venture with Tang and paid tens of thousands more in fees to Ozen, only to be trapped in an untenable business situation and no closer to his immigration goal. He's suing for $471,000 as well as other damages and costs. Besides suing for his money back, Lee wants the court to declare that his business nominee program agreement is void or not enforceable against him. No statements of defence have been filed yet. Ozen, reached by phone, declined to comment on the lawsuit other than to say she wanted to share the "true story" once the case is settled. Tang did not respond to a message on social media. Lee's lawsuit is the second one filed this year involving Ozen, her immigration consulting business and the Yukon Nominee Business Program. Another man, Wenbin Zhang, sued Ozen, her husband and another immigration consultant earlier this year alleging that he lost his life savings after investing in a convenience store under the belief that it would help him obtain permanent residency through the program. Vancouver-based lawyer Jimmy Burg, who's representing both Lee and Zhang in their respective lawsuits, wrote in an email that taken together, "these actions suggest a potential pattern." "Ms. Ozen may be using the [business nominee program to] cultivate relationships of trust with immigrants and induce them to invest their funds into her various family-controlled entities on the false promise of Canadian citizenship," he alleged. "The Plaintiffs claim that this conduct represents a breach of fiduciary duty." Neither case has been tested at trial. Lee's finances, immigration prospects 'irreparably harmed,' lawsuit claims According to his statement of claim, Lee was introduced to Ozen in February 2021 while he was still living in Hong Kong, from which Lee and his family wanted to emigrate due to political unrest. Ozen, the lawsuit alleges, told Lee that she could "secure his immigration to Canada" via the Yukon Business Nominee Program. The program, run by the Yukon and federal governments, offers foreigners a two-year work permit during which they must purchase or open and run a business in the territory. Should they meet program requirements, which include fulfilling a program agreement that often outlines certain conditions and metrics their businesses must meet, the Yukon government will nominate them for permanent residency. The lawsuit claims that Ozen told Lee she would arrange a "business venture related to a dry-cleaning service and laundromat" into which Lee would invest $300,000, and that if he paid her $80,000, she would "liaise" with the Yukon and federal governments on his behalf. Ozen, the lawsuit alleges, told Lee that he would have a partner in the business — Tang, whom Lee did not know was Ozen's brother-in-law and was also trying to immigrate to Canada. The business was named Enviro Clean and opened in June 2022. The statement of claim makes a series of allegations about Ozen's involvement in the set-up and operations, including having an invoice falsified, charging additional fees and expenses and providing advice contrary to program policies. Tang, meanwhile, allegedly paid himself with business funds without Lee's permission and assaulted Lee "in a fit of rage" after Lee asked him to "take on more of the dry-cleaning work and a more equitable share of business management and operations." The lawsuit also claims Tang caused the business to lose money due to "mismanagement," including telling dozens of customers that dry-cleaning equipment was broken when it wasn't. Ozen, according to the lawsuit, withdrew as Lee's immigration representative this January while Tang "abandoned" the business after finding "another method to secure his immigration status," leaving Lee's "legal and financial interests and ability to immigrate into Canada… irreparably harmed."
Hamilton Spectator
23-05-2025
- Politics
- Hamilton Spectator
Whitehorse civility policy updates floated after legal action
The city is planning on changing its civility policy — and it could result in a lawsuit against it being dropped. The policy, introduced last summer by the previous council, has been a controversial one: it attracted multiple delegates when it was first proposed. It passed with four votes in favour and two against. Then, after threatening legal action, the Canadian Constitution Foundation, a charity group, filed a court challenge against the policy on the grounds it violates the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms. The original policy set rules regarding the conduct of people entering city hall chambers while council meets. Among other things, the policy banned micro-aggressions, signs, physical attacks, threatening behaviour, and verbal abuse, including threats. The original policy also bans participants from wearing clothing that has imagery or language which is discriminatory, offensive, detrimental, profane, racial, sexist, violent or vulgar. At the May 20 standing committee of city council, corporate services director Valerie Braga introduced a new version of the civility policy with changes at least partially motivated by the legal challenge initiated late last year. The policy overhaul completely axes the section about micro-aggressions and allows certain signs based on sign size and content. It includes a definition of hate speech and changes the parameters of what type of clothing is permitted inside city council chambers. The petition filed with the Yukon Supreme Court by the Canadian Constitution Foundation in November alleged the civility policy is contrary to section 2(b) of the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms, which guarantees freedom of thought, belief, opinion and expression. It also includes freedom of the press and other media of communication. The lawyer representing the Canadian Constitution Foundation in this lawsuit, Vincent Larochelle, told the News that his client would be backing down from the lawsuit should the updates to the policy be adopted. 'They consider the amendments to address the vast majority, the essence of what their lawsuit was,' Larochelle said. 'My client's issue was with how vague and wide-ranging and subjective that previous policy was. It covered all sorts of language or expression, from attire, signs, language and even just offensive stuff, but the fact that you're offended by what someone is saying doesn't make it necessarily hate speech.' He said his client said the original policy was 'flagrantly unconstitutional.' One of the things highlighted in the petition, as noted by Larochelle, was that the policy was brought forth in the wake of people voicing support for the people of Gaza within city chambers. The Middle Eastern enclave has been under Israeli bombardment since the Hamas-led Oct. 7 massacre in 2023. A United Nations report tallying cumulative deaths as of May 14, 2025, said 1,200 people were killed in that massacre. The same United Nations report said nearly 53,000 Palestinians have been killed since October 2023. Last summer, delegates in Whitehorse packed the public gallery to speak on a motion to publicly support calls for a ceasefire. At May 20's standing committee meeting, Braga told councillors about the history of the policy when presenting the changes. 'When the policy was originally brought forward, we had gone through a period of time where we had a few contentious meetings. Topics were heated. People took positions on one side or the other. There was a gap in extremes, for lack of a better term,' she said. 'And what we wanted to do was to ensure that all participants felt safe coming into chambers, felt able to speak their piece, that council also felt that they were respected through the process, and were able to give respect back to participants. It was very important to the council of the day that people feel safe within this room. That was the main intent of the policy.' The new policy focuses on hate speech, Larochelle said, and there are recognized limits to that form of expression. The Canadian Constitution Foundation does not take issue with that type of targeted policy. 'We need to be able to have rigorous debates in our society, and the civility policy as amended, if it's accepted, would presumably allow that to happen in the context of city council meetings,' said Larochelle. 'What the lawsuit was getting at was that vagueness, the micro-aggression, the sign ban, the attire ban, and all that's essentially gone.' The majority of the current council was elected in October, after the civility policy was installed by the previous council. Only Coun. Dan Boyd and Mayor Kirk Cameron are holdovers from the previous council: they both voted in favour of adopting the policy when it was presented last year. Coun. Lenore Morris, who is also a lawyer, said it is incumbent on city council to not infringe on political speech anymore than necessary. 'I think everybody who's on city council really wants to encourage engagement and polite, courteous, lively discourse with the public, and I think that the changes that we are making to the policy, or that we are proposing to make to the policy, will permit that,' she said. Coun. Jenny Hamilton also said that she was upset as a citizen when the policy was installed last year, and that she supports the changes. Larochelle said his client still has some minor concerns regarding the policy — specifically on some remaining vagueness within the policy and the limits on signs — but they do not believe the updated policy would warrant a lawsuit. He said the Canadian Constitution Foundation considers the amendments a victory. 'The lawsuit seems to have triggered a pretty significant overhaul of the policy. So even better, if we can affect change without having to go to court.'
CBC
05-03-2025
- Politics
- CBC
Court tosses Yukon gov't case against YESAB over recommendation on exploration project
The Yukon Supreme Court has tossed the territorial government's case against the Yukon Environmental and Socio-economic Assessment Board over the board's recommendation against a proposed exploration project in the Peel watershed. In a newly-published decision, Chief Justice Suzanne Duncan dismissed the government's petition against the board, commonly referred to as YESAB, on procedural grounds, writing that the recommendation at the centre of the case was "not amenable to judicial review." The government filed a legal petition in 2023 after YESAB's Dawson-area designated office recommended against a proposal by exploration company Silver47 to do five years of work around Michelle Creek. The area is in the southern reaches of the Peel watershed near the northern tip of Tombstone Territorial Park and on the traditional territories of the Tr'ondëk Hwëch'in and First Nation of Na-Cho Nyäk Dun. The YESAB office, after assessing Silver47's proposal, determined that the project was likely to have severe adverse impacts on wildlife and First Nation wellness that couldn't be mitigated, and that it wasn't in compliance with the Peel Watershed Regional Land Use Plan. The Yukon government, via its petition, applied for a judicial review of the recommendation claiming that it was unreasonable and deeply flawed. Duncan, however, ruled that there was no basis for her to intervene, noting that the recommendation was not binding. "The administrative process has not yet concluded: the [YESAB designated office's] recommendation is not a decision," she wrote. She also dismissed the Yukon government's request for a court order quashing the office's recommendation and having it re-do its project assessment. "To do so would violate the principle of judicial respect for administrative decision-makers and an administrative process containing various steps set out by Parliament," Duncan wrote. The case marked the first time the Yukon government had ever taken legal action against YESAB. Duncan heard three days of arguments last November, with First Nations, the attorney general of Canada and YESAB asking for the petition to be dismissed while the Yukon government and Silver47 pushed for a ruling to have the assessment re-done. Silver47's project was the first one in the Peel watershed region to undergo a YESAB assessment since the signing of the regional land use plan in 2019.
