New Classification System for Express Entry and Temporary Workers November 1, 2021 Canada’s immigration system will overhaul the way it classifies occupations in fall 2022. The changes will affect some economic class and foreign worker applicants, although the federal government has yet to communicate which sorts of applicants will be affected. The Current National…
Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada Challenges for 2021 & 2022 November 1, 2021 During the pandemic, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has accumulated a backlog of hundreds of thousands of applicants. This past summer, the Toronto Star reported there were more than 561,000 permanent residence applications to process, 748,000 temporary residence applications (visitor, workers and students), and 376,000 citizenship applications. These figures…
What Happens to Work Permit Holders Who Have Lost Jobs Due to COVID-19? Foreign nationals who have lost their jobs due to coronavirus have the added burden of wondering whether they will also lose their status in Canada, and how the loss of employment will affect their Canadian immigration applications. What are my options? There…
New Window of Opportunity for Challenging Immigration Decisions March 23, 2020 By Hans John Kalina On December 19, 2019 the Supreme Court of Canada released the decision in Canada (Minister of Citizenship and Immigration) v. Vavilov, 2019 SCC 65. The “Vavilov” decision changes the way Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (“IRCC”) will be required to…
Respecting and Maintaining Professionalism as a Lawyer True, we build no bridges. We raise no towers. We construct no engines. We paint no pictures. There is little of all that we do which the eye can see. But we smooth out difficulties; we relieve stress; we correct mistakes; we take up other men and women’s…
Legal Fees Explained By Hans John Kalina Let’s talk about legal fees. The topic of legal fees is very often misunderstood by our clients. First and foremost, clients need to acknowledge that the lawyer is a business person. Legal services are the product and the lawyer’s livelihood is entirely dependent on the client’s payment for…
As a lawyer practicing both criminal and immigration law, I often receive requests from colleagues for professional advice on issues they are facing when the two branches of law intersect. Recently, I was consulted by a client on behalf of a fellow criminal defence lawyer to provide an opinion letter for a judicial pretrial on the effect of a discharge for a domestic assault an accused was facing. The client was accused of assaulting his wife. He, and his wife, were also facing potential deportation. Fortunately, we were able to resolve their predicament.
With the Supreme Court decision in Tran v. Canada, non-citizens (permanent or temporary residents of Canada) will no longer be subject to inadmissibility proceedings and possible deportation as a result of being sentenced for to a conditional sentence of imprisonment.
Crossing Borders – Proceed with Caution Issues at the border with our southern neighbour are very much in the news. It is not surprising that some people see traveling to or from the USA as frought with trepidation and concern. What can you expect at the port of entry, whether by land, air or sea?…
Deportation can be a serious unintended consequence of a criminal conviction. It is important to be aware of the issue from the outset of a criminal charge.
