June 2014

Between November 2013 and March 2014, I represented three refugee claimants before the Refugee Protection Division.

All three were women.  All three were from Nigeria.  All three were mothers.  All were devout Christians.  They were all around the same age.

May 2014

I have a new client, a dashing young gentleman who studied at Algonquin College here in Ottawa.  Last December, he obtained a professional job that will allow him to qualify for the Canadian Experience Class.

However, the Canadian Experience Class quota may have already been met by the time he has his one-year experience this December.  In addition, as of January 1, 2015, anyone applying for permanent residency in Canada through an economic immigration program will apply under the new "Express Entry program."

April 2014

When I was at the Ottawa Immigration Law Conference last month, I was chatting with a colleague about the decline in refugee claims.  She told me it had been over a year since she has had a call from a refugee claimant.

March 2014

I just attended the annual Ottawa Immigration Law Conference.  There, a trio of immigration law experts told attendees what was wrong with the Canadian government's new proposed amendments to the Citizenship Act.