Congregation members of Alberta priest John Lipinski are shocked over allegations of immigration fraud. Ukranian Orthodox Church of Canada

Members of a northeastern Alberta community are feeling betrayed and disappointed after a priest was charged with immigration fraud.

"It's hard to believe that it could have happened," said Bonnyville-Cold Lake MLA Genia Leskiw. "And it's hard to believe that my parish priest could've been involved in something like that.

"It's shocking. We're all in shock here."

Father John Lipinski of St. Paul, Alta., has been suspended as a Ukrainian Orthodox priest in the Bonnyville area until his case is resolved in provincial court.

Lipinski and his wife Angela and their business partner, Calvin Steinhauer, are accused of running a company that lured dozens of Polish welders and machinists to Canada under false pretenses, pocketing $1 million in profits in just six months.

The three face charges of organizing entry to Canada by threat, deception or fraud under the Immigration Refugee Protection Act as well a criminal charge under the proceeds of crime section.

'I'm really hoping that it's not true because it's a black eye on the church and I love my church'—MLA Genia Leskiw

"I'm really hoping that it's not true because it's a black eye on the church and I love my church," said Leskiw. "A lot of people are being hurt in this. My congregation is being hurt in this, my district, my church."

News of the charges also came as a shock to the archbishop of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church.

Metropolitan Yurij Kalistchuk said from Winnipeg Thursday he knew nothing of the charges until the CBC called asking for comment.

Lipinski's suspension will leave a void in the diocese, said Leskiw.

"People here are quite religious," she said. "This is going to hit them hard."

Black eye for Canada

Meanwhile, the lawyer representing the workers said Canada has been given a black eye abroad.

"I think sadly Canada was painted in a bad way, and that's maybe the thing that affects all of us," said Sol Rolinger. "Representations were made by Canadians to nationals of another country that weren't correct.

"Then they had to go through a lot of legal hassle."

Rolinger said the workers alerted the RCMP as soon as they suspected something wasn't right.

Lipinski is charged under the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act, the first time the first time charges have been laid under the act in Alberta.

The lawyer representing the Lipinskis said they deny the allegations.

All three people charged are to make a first appearance July 25 in an Edmonton courtroom.