Reframing the “Problem” of Birth Tourism – a Few Alternative Perspectives
Recently, there has been another media influx relating to the “problem” of birth tourism. In the past, I have commented on this issue twice publicly – for Chatelaine/Macleans Magazine and CTV News. Unfortunately, much of the debate again has revolved around what I strongly to believe strong ethnocultural tensions, particularly through Richmond where tensions have been […]
Why IRCC Should Pay Attention to the B.C. Small Claims Case Li v. Dong 2017 BCPC 285 – Re: Custodian and Unauthorized Immigration Practice
Background of the Case Li v. Dong, 2017 BCPC 285 (CanLII), <http://canlii.ca/t/h6ftb> was a five-day small claims matter between two educational agents, Ms. Chunmei LI and Mr. DONG. Without delving too much into the myriad of messy facts – Mr. Dong was an educational agent and Ms. Li was a sub-agent. They had primarily verbal […]
Lessons from Losses – Importance of Good Interpretation in Immigration
I recently was counsel on a multi-layered case named Zhang v. Canada (Citizenship and Immigration), 2018 FC 502 (CanLII), <http://canlii.ca/t/hs2j6> In Zhang, the client (my client) attended an in-Canada spousal interview with former counsel and as well with an interpreter who former counsel had assumed was certified, but was actually not. In-Canada spousal interview have a […]
A Tribute To Anthony Bourdain
Like many, I woke up this morning to the shocking and devastating passing of Anthony Bourdain. I never met Anthony Bourdain in person, but like many, I religiously followed his shows, read his books, and planned countless travel itineraries (including busing hours) to visit spots that he had been to. Because of him, I was […]
Clarification Needed: Why the IEC Work Permit and Implied Status Problem Needs Fixing
Other than the permanent resident delay problem, the surprising #2 line up outside my door question this late spring/early summer has been about International Experience Canada (“IEC”) Work Permit Extensions. Several individuals hold IECs and are now asking about obtaining Bridging Open Work Permits and Spousal Open Work Permits, hoping to rely on implied status […]
Canada’s Minor Children Custodianship Crisis – IRCC Needs to Step In
I read a recent piece quoting my mentor Richard Kurland and his prediction of Canada’s Express Entry system being flooded by international students who come to Canada in their K-12 years. In it, he predicted that they will then go on to attend college and university and are therefore will very qualified and achieve high eligibility under […]
R. v. Eustaquio, 2018 ABPC 55 – Lessons Learned About Misrepresentation as an Immigration Offense
This case comes from the Provincial Court of Alberta, with the judgment having been released in March 2018. Ms. Eustaquio (“Ms. E”) is a 60-year old Canadian citizen with no criminal record. She has two elderly parents who are in their mid-to-late 80s. The deterioration of Ms. E’s father led to Ms. E supporting her […]
