Canadian Immigration Podcast

The Atlantic Immigration Pilot may just be the best immigration program in existence in Canada today. In this Episode, Canadian Immigration Lawyer Janet Thompson-Price shared some insight on the program that you will not want to miss. I truly believe this program has been the best kept secret of all the various Provincial based programs currently in operation across Canada and one I hope it becomes permanent for the Atlantic Provinces. [smart_track_player url="http://traffic.libsyn.com/canadianimmigrationpodcast/CIP_S2_E16.mp3" social="true" social_twitter="true" social_facebook="true" social_gplus="true" social_linkedin="true" ] Janet Thompson Price earned her Bachelor of Business Administration and Bachelor of Laws degree from the University of New Brunswick. Upon graduation, Janet articled with the Atlantic Canadian law firm of Stewart McKelvey where she remained for a number of years in their litigation department. Janet is the current Section Chair for the New Brunswick branch of the Canadian Bar Assoc

With the annual Parental Sponsorship lottery opening up in January 2018, the timing is perfect for an Episode dedicated to the Canadian Parental Sponsorship process. If you are considering filing an application to sponsor a parent or grandparent from abroad don't even think about submitting that application until you have listened to what Canadian Immigration Lawyer Ravi Jain had to say. [smart_track_player url="http://traffic.libsyn.com/canadianimmigrationpodcast/CIP_S2_E15.mp3" social="true" social_twitter="true" social_facebook="true" social_gplus="true" social_linkedin="true" ] It was great to have Ravi Jain of Green and Spiegel in Toronto, join me to discuss this very timely topic. If you want to learn more about Ravi, you can listen to his background in Season 1 Episode 17 - Canadian Spousal Sponsorship - Can you really afford to make a mistake? Ravi has distinguished himself as one of the leaders in our immigration field in Canada. However, when you listen to him on this Episode, you will very easily

Are you a foreign national dreaming of immigrating to Canada through Express Entry, but struggling to score high enough on the IELTS exam to qualify.  If you are... you are not alone! Over 1/3 of the comments on my Express Entry Law facebook group (now over 80,000 strong) relate in some way to that darn english test. In this episode, former IELTS examiner and now English language instructor, Kris Enders joins me to pull the curtain back on the IELTS exam and share some essential tips on how to not only improve your current score, but rock the exam! [smart_track_player url="http://traffic.libsyn.com/canadianimmigrationpodcast/CIP_S2_E14.mp3" social="true" social_twitter="true" social_facebook="true" social_gplus="true" social_linkedin="true" ] Although this topic departs slightly with the traditional immigration law theme on my Podcast, when over 1/3 of the comments on your Canadian immigration social media platform are focused on the IELTS exam, it's time to shed some light on this nasty little beast that t

www.CanadianImmigrationPodcast.com  Although the topic of government sponsored refugees has dropped slightly off the political landscape, the notion of privately sponsored refugees is still very much a topic of interest amongst Canadians. In Season 1 Episode 29 Canadian immigration lawyer Ronalee Carey joined me to talk about her experience working with the G30+ Ottawa Constituency Group who were involved in the private sponsorship of refugees to Canada. Because of the success of that Episode, I just had to have her back to provide us with an update regarding a particular Syrian family that has now landed in Canada through the work of Ronalee and the other members of the G30+ Group. However, the real value Ronalee provides in this Episode is the amazing insight she shares regarding the government's Blended Visa Office Referral program....a program Ronalee strongly encourages all of us to get involved with. [smart_track_player url="http://traffic.libsyn.com/canadianimmigrationpodcast/CIP_S2_E13.mp3" social="

www.CanadianImmigrationPodcast.com Are you currently outside of Canada needing to extend an expiring PR Card? Are you concerned about the very real possibility of losing your Canadian PR status? If you answered yes to either of these questions, this Episode of the Canadian Immigration Podcast is for you. In this episode, Canadian immigration lawyer, Robert Leong joined me to examine this topic in detail. He shared some great insight on why complying with IRCC's periodic request to apply for a Permanent Resident Travel Document, can create some unexpected and harsh consequences. This is one you will not want to miss! [smart_track_player url="http://traffic.libsyn.com/canadianimmigrationpodcast/CIP_S2_E12.mp3" social="true" social_twitter="true" social_facebook="true" social_gplus="true" social_linkedin="true" ] It was great to have Robert join me again to discuss another great Canadian immigration topic. To learn more about Robert and how he got into immigration in the first place, check out the interview I

Canadian Immigration Podcast Have you ever wondered why the Province of Quebec has a separate immigration program?  In this episode of the Canadian Immigration Podcast, I caught up to Quebec Immigration Lawyer Genevieve Henault who took some time to answer this question as well give us a great overview of the various permanent and temporary immigration options unique to the Province of Quebec. One thing is for certain, after listening to Genevieve's interview, she just about makes me want to relocate to Quebec....just about, that is! [smart_track_player url="http://traffic.libsyn.com/canadianimmigrationpodcast/CIP_S2_E11.mp3" social="true" social_twitter="true" social_facebook="true" social_gplus="true" social_linkedin="true" ] Genevieve joined me to share some insight on Quebec Immigration Programs. This is something that we have not yet had an opportunity to address on the Podcast and as such, I was delighted to have Genevieve join me to share from her wealth of experience practicing as an immigration la

Each fall, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada releases their annual Immigration Levels Plan. Currently these levels are set at just over 300,000 for 2017. This sure seems like a lot of new immigrants. However, have you every really thought about how many actually stay in Canada after they arrive? This is the question Canadian Immigration lawyer Carter Hoppe and I discussed in Episode 10 of the Canadian Immigration Podcast.       This is the second time Carter Hoppe has joined me on my Podcast. Previously, Carter and I discussed the various immigrant investor programs in Canada and abroad in Season 2 Episode 2. Carter did such an awesome job in that Episode, that I just had to have him back. Carter is a Member of the Law Society of Upper Canada and practices out of his office in Dubai, UAE.  You can learn more about Carter’s background from the show notes in Season 2 Episode 2. In this episode Cater and I discuss the effect the residency requirements have had on Canadian permanent residents who

In Season 1 Episode 15 released on May 11, 2016, I invited Canadian immigration lawyer Chris Veeman to join me to talk about the "then" recently announced changes to the Canadian citizenship process. Well it's been over one full year later and we are still waiting.... In this Episode I invited Chris back for an encore performance to bring us up to speed on where we are at right now and how much longer we are going to have to wait to see these significant changes become law. [smart_track_player url="http://traffic.libsyn.com/canadianimmigrationpodcast/CIP_S2_E9.mp3" social="true" social_twitter="true" social_facebook="true" social_gplus="true" social_linkedin="true" ] Chris Veeman is a Member of the Law Society of Saskatchewan. He practices immigration law in Saskatoon within his own law office, Veeman Law. He is a graduate of the University of Toronto Faculty of Law (2003). A former Federal Court of Canada law clerk to the Honourable Madam Justice Sandra J. Simpson, he has been practicing immigration law si

Finding out that you, or a dependent family member, may be medically inadmissible to Canada can be one of the worst days of a foreign national's life. Just when the prospect of becoming a Canadian permanent resident is clearly in sight, you receive a fairness letter from IRCC that threatens to unravel everything you have worked so hard to achieve.  In this episode of the Canadian Immigration Podcast, I was extremely fortunate to catch up to one of the country's foremost experts on medical inadmissibility, Mario Bellissimo. Mario has pretty much established himself as the go to immigration lawyer for any foreign national facing the terrifying reality of an IRCC procedural fairness letter related to medical inadmissibility. If you have just received a fairness letter from IRCC, do not do anything until you have first had a chance to listen to what Mario has to say. It could just mean the difference between realizing your dream of immigrating to Canada and being forever barred from ever becoming a permanent resi

There is often a love hate relationship that exists with the various Provincial Nominee Programs across the country. The Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program is no different. With limited quotas each year and significant processing delays, it makes it very difficult for immigration counsel to recommend the program for anyone that is under time constraints or other time sensitive limitations where certainty in processing is critical. In this episode, immigration lawyer Sarah Fagan shares some insight on what is going on within the OINP today and what we might be able to expect in the near future as it struggles to reinvent itself as a more attractive option for foreign nationals seeking to become permanent residents of Canada. [smart_track_player url="http://traffic.libsyn.com/canadianimmigrationpodcast/CIP_S2_E7.mp3" social="true" social_twitter="true" social_facebook="true" social_gplus="true" social_linkedin="true" ] In this episode, I had a chance to talk to Sarah about her experience immigrating to Canada

If you are a foreign doctor wondering what it takes to actually practice medicine in Canada, this Episode is for you. Immigrating to Canada is often the easy part - understanding what it takes to actually qualify to work as a doctor is something entirely different. Canadian immigration lawyer, Irma Roberts joined me to shed some much needed light on this very confusing and difficult process. I am sure most of us have heard the failings of our old Federal Skilled Worker Program which opened Canada's doors to permanent resident status for foreign trained doctors only to see them driving taxis when they arrived. In this episode Calgary, Alberta based immigration lawyer Irma Roberts joins me to explain exactly what an International Medical Graduate needs to do to qualify to practice medicine in Canada. Irma Roberts has likely represented more foreign trained doctors in their efforts to become permanent residents of Canada than any other immigration lawyer in the country. Having her come on the Podcast was a comp

As many are likely aware by now... US President Donald Trump is acting quickly on his campaign promises. Through the use of some very strategic executive orders, he has shaken the very foundation of immigration law and policy in the United States. Although this Podcast is traditionally devoted to Canadian immigration, my special guest Heather Segal, a Canadian immigration lawyer and US immigration attorney, shares insight on not only what is happening in the US, but the potential impact it could have for Canadian immigration. If you think what is happening in the US will have no impact on us in Canada, listen to what Heather has to say... you might just have a different outlook when you are finished! [smart_track_player url="http://traffic.libsyn.com/canadianimmigrationpodcast/CIP_S2_E5.mp3" social="true" social_twitter="true" social_facebook="true" social_gplus="true" social_linkedin="true" ] If you are anything like me, you are probably wondering what the heck is going on south of the border. Although man

http://www.canadianimmigrationpodcast.com Welcome Peter Rekai - Canadian Immigration Lawyer Introduction to the Self Employed Category How did you get into immigration? Intro: Today we are going to be covering one of the most often neglected areas of PR in Canada… the Self Employed Category Who is covered by the self employed category? I think the first issue under the self-employed category is to dispel the thought that self employed means any business of which you are the sole proprietor. It is limited to the three categories of cultural, athletic and farm manager. The programme is designed for people  that live off contract to contract engagements not one for those who expect to work a 40 Hour Week for a single employer Let’s start with athletes -  One issue with the athletic category is that you don't actually have to be the athlete. You can be a coach, trainer or even in athletic management. The same is true in the cultural Industries. You don't have to be the singing star; you can be involved in set des

Becoming a permanent resident of Canada has never been more difficult. Knowing how to keep that residency in changing life circumstances can be just as important....in fact, possibly even more important! In this episode I caught up with immigration lawyer Chantal Desloges who practices in Toronto, Ontario to share some insight on this increasingly important area of immigration law. If you are a permanent resident of Canada wondering if you have done enough to maintain your PR status, this episode is for you. If you go to virtually any of the online newspaper or television websites in Ontario and search immigration lawyer, you are almost certain to find Chantal Desloges. She is a regular immigration commentator on CTVs Power Play, and has been interviewed and quoted in both national and local television and newspapers on a variety of Canadian immigration related topics. Chantal has also been a regular organizer and participant in community education programs by giving speeches, lectures and training seminars t

If you are a foreign national seeking to immigrate to Canada through an investor program, you better listen to what immigration lawyer Carter Hoppe has to say first. Carter demystifies a fairly confusing area of immigration law that many of us immigration lawyers shy away from. After listening to this Podcast, you may just want to consider getting into the immigrant investor world....and when I say "world", I mean it.....Carter talks just as much about opportunities in the world as he does in Canada. I was absolutely delighted that Carter Hoppe was able to join me in this Episode of the Canadian Immigration Podcast. Carter is one of the grandfathers of the practice of immigration law in Canada and one of the founding members of the national immigration section of the Canadian Bar Association. The thing I like most about Carter is his story telling ability. You don't even realize how much you are learning from him because he carries you away with the intriguing "real life" examples he gives to illustrate his p

CIP Show Notes: Season 2 – Episode 1 Richard Kurland – Policy Analyst and Lawyer Today I am here with Canadian immigration lawyer Richard Kurland who will be addressing one of the most common enquiries I get on a daily basis, and likely many other immigration lawyers as well: “What to do when you Canadian Immigration Application is refused.” Welcome to the Podcast Richard. Introduction of Richard. Question: How did you get into Immigration? Today we are going to discuss the options that are available to someone who has had their Canadian immigration application refused. Question: you have a client who comes into your office and tells you that their immigration application has been refused? Can you share with us the steps you follow to find a solution for these individuals. Consult Reconsideration Re-apply Federal Court… worth it or not? MP Media How Can you be reached if people who would like to retain you to help them with any immigration matter? Richard’s contact: lexbase@canimmigrate.com Thank

Canadian Immigration Podcast: Saskatchewan Immigrant Nominee Program If you are a foreign national planning on immigrating to the Province of Saskatchewan or a human resource manager seeking a way to retain your key Saskatechawan based foreign workers... this Episode is for you. Canadian immigration lawyer Scott Bell shares some amazing insight on the inner workings of the Saskatchewan Immigrant Nominee Program from an employer perspective and also touches on some of the unique Provincial regulations that impact on an employer's ability to recruit foreign workers to work in Saskatchewan. The various PNPs across the country offer some very unique and focused opportunities for foreign nationals seeking to immigrate to Canada. In most cases these PNPs have very unique requirements that distinguish themselves from the other PNPs. When trying to understand the inner workings of the various PNPs, the best place to go is excellent immigration lawyers like Scott Bell who actually live and practice within the Province

Canadian Immigration Podcast - S1E37 If you are getting ready to file a Humanitarian and Compassionate application STOP! ........DO NOT SUBMIT THE APPLICATION! Before you do ... listen to what Immigration Lawyer Jean Munn shared with me in this fantastic episode of the Canadian Immigration Podcast. I had a ton of respect for Jean before our interview; however, after listening to the amazing insight and strategies Jean so openly shared with me, that respect has skyrocketed into the stratosphere. If there is one episode you absolutely can not afford to miss, it is this one. Every lawyer, consultant, or foreign national will increase their chance of getting an H&C approved by listening and applying what Jean shared with me in this episode.

Have you ever wondered what happens when Canada wants to remove someone they think is a terrorist or a spy? How do they actually do this? Is there a formal process or do they simply book a flight, toss them on a plane and fly them back to their country of citizenship. Obviously it is not that simple! In my interview with Canadian immigration lawyer, Peter Edelmann, he shares some insight on this very complex area...the intersection of immigration, criminal and national security law in Canada. S.34 of the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act sets out the basis upon which the government can find someone inadmissible to Canada on the grounds of security. Peter takes us through each of the various types of activities that can cause a person to be found inadmissible for national security concerns. Peter is a regular presenter at conferences on various topics related to criminal and immigration law. He regularly appears before Parliamentary committees and before the Supreme Court of Canada on issues related to cr

At times foreign nationals face injustices within the immigration system that simply cry out for redress. When all hope seems lost, courageous immigration lawyers, such as Shirish Chotalia, step in when no one else can. In this episode of the Canadian Immigration Podcast, Shirish shares some amazing stories and even better insight into the world of immigration advocacy....and even better yet, she has inspired me (and hopefully will inspire you as well) to consider taking on difficult immigration cases where the, at times, cruel nature of Canadian immigration law and policy rears its ugly head. In our discussion, we covered the following topics: background on Shirish and her extensive experience with immigration advocacy; how Shirish got into immigration; what immigration advocacy is all about; why it's important to challenge immigration decisions in deserving cases; why immigration lawyers should do more pro bono immigration work.