CILA’s Catalyst Canada Roundtable Episode #10, featuring Professor Kristin Surak and Professor Miriam Cohen is now live.
Kristin Surak is Associate Professor of Political Sociology at the LSE and the author of The Golden Passport: Global Mobility for Millionaires (Harvard University Press 2023).
Dr. Miriam Cohen is a Law Professor and Canada Research Chair in Human Rights and International Justice at Université de Montréal, Faculty of Law.
The discussion focuses on:
- Canada’s historic leadership in RBI—and what went wrong
- Why Canada is uniquely positioned to lead in a global market of 60+ countries with golden visa programs
- The moral legitimacy debate: Are we “selling” residency—or attracting capital to serve public good?
- How Canada could raise $30 billion annually with just 20,000 investors at $1.5M—equivalent to 4x the total venture capital invested in Canada in 2024 (CVCA)
- Why separate streams for passive investors, entrepreneurs, and top talent are essential
- How to design an investment program rooted in reciprocity, accountability, and long-term integration
- Practical ideas: Philanthropic contributions, investment matching with Canadian partners, sector-targeted funds (AI, climate, housing), and high-ethics due diligence
- How to ensure smart money fuels national priorities—not market speculation
- Why integration is more than physical presence—it’s participation, inclusion, and community-building
Watch the episode:
About Catalyst Canada:
Catalyst Canada is an initiative by the Business Immigration Committee of CILA. Our mission is simple: Break the silos and bring together lawyers, business leaders, policymakers, academics, civil society, and government to secure Canada’s future by fixing our immigration system.
