About

Our Work

COMMENT IN THE MEDIA

CILA provides credible insight on developments in Canadian immigration law and policy. Our policy team is responsible for monitoring, analysis and the development and publication of timely statements and positions inviting consultation and opportunity for advocacy on behalf of our Members and their clients.

WRITE ARTICLES AND COMMENT ON POLICY

CILA amplifies the voice of the immigration bar by publishing member-generated content to showcase our expertise and contribute to the development of immigration policy and practice. Our audience includes Members of Parliament and the Senate, bureaucrats, academics, media and other key stakeholders who follow CILA’s Blog and social media posts.

COLLABORATE ON WORKING GROUPS AND COMMITTEES

CILA is frequently invited to participate as advisors on working groups engaged with the Government of Canada and other stakeholders around current priorities and future policy.

INFORM AND ADVISE

Various stakeholders, both within and outside the government, seek CILA’s position, expertise and opinions on immigration-related issues from the perspective of the immigration bar.

PARTICIPATE IN PUBLIC HEARINGS AND COMMITTEES

CILA is often invited to speak before parliamentary and senate committees, including the Standing Committee on Citizenship and Immigration. We also actively monitor public hearings and intervene when it’s crucial to convey the immigration bar’s perspective.

HOST CONTINUING LEGAL EDUCATION SESSIONS (CLE)

CILA offers top-tier CLE sessions at an affordable price for our Members. These sessions are designed to meet the needs of our Members at all levels of experience, including articling students, recent calls and those who require hands-on workshop sessions to gain practical knowledge of immigration law.

HOST ASK ME ANYTHING SESSIONS (AMA)

CILA hosts unique AMA sessions with experienced members of the immigration bar, as well as thought leaders in other fields of practice and expertise. During these sessions, guests answer a wide range of questions from the audience, with a particular focus on students and young lawyers.

UPDATE THE MEMBER EXCLUSIVE CILA LIBRARY

CILA sources and regularly updates a vast array of critical information and documents that are often difficult to obtain, including operational manuals, CBSA internal guidelines, and lists of key contacts. These invaluable resources are made available via the CILA Library.

THE VOICE - AN ACTIVE COMMUNITY OF SUPPORT FOR MEMBERS

All CILA Members can communicate on The Voice, a supportive, respectful listserv community exclusive to our Members. We ask questions, seek updates, discuss trends and share practical knowledge. The Voice is a safe space for CILA Members to share information and show generosity to fellow Members. In fact, the immigration bar across Canada is known for its extraordinary collegiality and mutual support.

NETWORKING EVENTS

CILA hosts in-person networking events for Members across Canada. These events provide opportunities to exchange ideas with fellow Members, establish new professional alliances, and foster friendships. As a closely-knit community, CILA aims to hold regular opportunities for our Members to enjoy professional networking through fun, social and informative networking events.

ADVOCATE

A key focus of CILA is access to legal counsel. We firmly believe that lawyers play a vital role in the Canadian immigration system. We advocate for immigration lawyers to represent their clients at all stages of their immigration journey. Additionally, we advocate for appropriate communication between the Government of Canada and immigration lawyers and for significant improvements to client service.