With the summer holidays behind us, CILA’s activities have picked up as we look to finish the year strong. We hope you enjoy our monthly update for September 2024.
IRCC AMPs on immigration lawyers and our position on international student reform
IRCC is in the process of introducing regulatory reform to enable the department to levy Administrative Monetary Penalties on immigration lawyers. Please click here to read CILA’s letter to IRCC on why it disagrees with this proposed reform. (French version of the letter).
IRCC has since responded to CILA’s letter by stating it plans to release the draft regulations in Q4 2024 and is prepared to meet with us at that point to hear our concerns.
CILA will continue to dialogue with the department and build coalitions across the immigration bar to address this issue.
We have also created a new Professionalism Committee which is tasked with protecting the interests of immigration lawyers. Please complete our volunteer form if you wish to join the committee.
CILA also released a statement shortly after new reform on international students was unveiled on September 18, and we were also asked to share our views with the Toronto Star.
Join us in downtown Toronto on October 24
CILA is hosting a free networking event the evening of October 24 in downtown Toronto. We expect to have over 100 attendees. Join us for an evening and great conversations and light fare. Click here to sign up and feel free to share the event with other members of the immigration bar.
Sign up to our upcoming CLEs!
Thursday, October 10 (Please note we have postponed this CLE by one week): Featured panel discussion on ‘Avoiding Lawsuits Through Best Practices & Compliance’ with Marina Sedai, Eoin Logan, Abhinav Sharma, and Karina Mateo-Sanchez. Click here to sign up!
Thursday, October 17: How-to Workshop on Study Permits with Will Tao and Laura Schemitsch. Click here to sign up!
Thursday, October 31: Featured discussion on Business Immigration with Siavash Shekarian, Howard Greenberg, and Catherine Sas. Click here to sign up!
Thursday, November 7: Featured discussion on IRPA S.44 Discretion Issues with Stephen J. Fogarty. Click here to sign up!
Thursday, November 28: AMA featuring Deanna Okun-Nachoff, a respected partner at McCrea Law with extensive experience in immigration law and a strong commitment to advocating for her clients. Click here to sign up!
Volunteer with CILA: Join our New Committees
CILA welcomes your participation in our various committees:
- AI Committee
- Article Committee
- Citizenship Committee
- Ethics Committee
- Events Committee
- Family Reunification Committee
- Global Talent Committee
- Professionalism Committee
- Quebec Committee
- Refugee Committee
The estimated time commitment is 1-3 hours per month. The committees are an opportunity for you to help shape CILA’s policy positions and represent us before government and the media. Please click here if you wish to participate in any of our committees.
Thought-leadership
CILA released 14 articles in September and are thankful to all those who contributed. Please click here if you have an article that you wish to submit to CILA. We welcome submissions on any topic you are interested in writing about.
We encourage you to read the articles prepared by our sponsors including:
Health insurance: A few tips for planning your visit to Canada
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You can also call Charlotte’s mobile: 416-206-9167
Charlotte is fully bilingual (English and French)
The Power of Great First Impressions at your Canadian Immigration Law Firm
With receptionists working across North America, LEX Reception offers a 24/7 legal answering service, supporting law firms with professional call handling, intake services, appointment and consultation scheduling, and other outsourced phone services.
Help Your Clients Ace Their Language Tests with Exclusive Prep!
When guiding your clients through their language exams for Canadian citizenship or permanent residency, the CELPIP Test stands out as the ideal choice. Whether they’re applying through Express Entry, the Provincial Nominee Program (PNP), or another pathway, the CELPIP Test offers a comprehensive solution for their journey to Canada.
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Thank you for participating in our CLEs and Calgary Event
In September we hosted a virtual workshop on how to master ATIPs which was sponsored by Visto.ai.
We also hosted an AMA for junior immigration lawyers featuring Chris Veerman.
CILA thanks Andrew Koltun, Lou Janssen Dangzalan, and Chris for their contributions.
Finally, CILA hosted a successful panel discussion and networking reception in Calgary last week. Please contact us if you wish to view the recording of the panel discussion on how immigration can better support economic development in Alberta. We will also be releasing a report on the discussion shortly, which is being sponsored by Windmill Microlending. CILA is grateful to the event’s speakers and all attendees for contributing to its success.
CILA thanks its sponsors for its Calgary event, including:
Lead Sponsor: Scotiabank
Scotiabank is pleased to share the following resources with CILA members:
- Learn more about the Scotiabank Lawyer Banking Program: Scotiabank Lawyer Banking Program
- Discover how Scotiabank’s wealth management team in Calgary, the Panorama Advisory Group, can provide financial guidance to you and your clients: Panorama Advisory Group
- More information for newcomers to Canada or those looking to emigrate: Scotiabank Advice+ Smooth Transition for Moving to Canada
Badge Lanyard Sponsor: Archer Advisory (formerly ABM Accounting)
Ranging from trust accounting to law society compliance to optimizing legal workflows, Archer Advisory can handle all of a law firm’s accounting, finance or administrative needs. Specializing in small to mid-sized law firms, Archer Advisory and its team of accountants, paralegals and law clerks have successfully kept law firms across Canada compliant with their law society while optimizing legal and admin workflows in the process. With the aim of making practice management less stressful for lawyers, Archer prides itself on being communicative, efficient and providing quality service.
Post-event Report Sponsor: Windmill Microlending
Windmill Microlending provides microloans of up to $15,000 to skilled immigrants and refugees so they can succeed in their careers. We support clients to obtain the Canadian licensing or training required to work in their field, or to secure a position which matches their level of education, skills, and experience. Our loans can pay for exams, training, assessments, books and materials, living allowance, relocation costs, professional association fees, and other expenses related to advancing their career.
