Newsletter Archive
It is a Risky Time to be Applying to be an International Student in Canada
July 2020
International students create big business for Canada, pouring 21.6 billion into the Canadian economy in 2018, and sustaining 170,000 Canadian jobs, according to the Canadian government. And the industry is growing. The number of international students in Canada close to doubled over the last decade, with over 600,000 international students in Canada by 2019. Only the USA and Australia attract more international students than Canada does. Canadian colleges and universities rely on international students, who pay much higher tuition fees than domestic students.
Family Members of Canadians Can Now Travel to Canada: A Story About Untraditional Advocacy
June 2020
Last month, I chronicled the refusal of entry to Canada of the immediate family members of Canadian citizens and permanent residents. I am happy to report that immediate family members can now enter Canada, so long as they have no symptoms of COVID-19, have a 14-day quarantine plan in place, and can demonstrate that they intend to stay in Canada for at least 15 days. ‘Immediate family members’ include a spouse or common-law partner, a dependent child, and a parent.
Too Much Discretion at the Border? Canadian Border Officials Prohibiting Family Members of Canadians from Entering Canada
May 2020
On March 18, 2020, the Canadian government invoked the rarely used Quarantine Act, creating an Order-In-Council (OIC) prohibiting foreign nationals from travelling to Canada by air. Within days, two new OICs were brought in to replace the initial version, one for those entering from the USA, and the other for all other travelers. Barriers to entering Canada were extended to any mode of travel, not just by air. Since then, OICs have been repeatedly repealed and replaced with newer versions. It has been incredibly challenging to keep on top of all the changes.
Imagining a World without Borders In the Midst of a Global Pandemic
April 2020
This summer, I am scheduled to deliver a workshop at the Blue Skies Music Festival. I was so excited when my application was accepted. Workshop presenters are given a coveted camping pass. Unfortunately, like all summer events, the festival may have to cancel depending on whether the COVID-19 pandemic diminishes.
