Dear CILA Members,
February 2024 was another busy month for CILA. We are pleased to share the following update with you:
ACTION REQUIRED: NEW CILA WEBSITE
We launched the new CILA website in February which features a number of new benefits such as a membership directory for the public to be able to contact you, and the ability to sign up to events on the website.
Many of you have yet to upload your professional information onto our website. Please make sure to do so by logging into your accounts and updating your profiles.
SIGN UP TO OUR NEW PREMIUM TIER
In addition, we are pleased to offer a new “Premium” membership tier for only $150 more to feature you at the top of our public directory to provide you with more visibility. Simply click here to upgrade your membership.
You can also email us if you need assistance: info@cila.co
Networking Events
We are pleased to announce we will host an in-person networking event on Thursday April 28, 2024, from 4 -6pm at Top of Vancouver – Revolving Restaurant and Thursday May 9, 2024, from 2 – 4pm in Montreal. Details are coming soon.
CLEs
CILA held two CLEs in February.
The first was a featured presentation on February 22nd on Protecting Lost Canadians” CILA thanks Sujit Choudhry and Naseem Mithoowani for their presentations.
The second was on February 29 on Best Practices for Preparing and Submitting H&C Applications. CILA is grateful to Ronalee Carey for preparing this workshop.
On March 28, please join us for Ask Me Anything session with Janet Thompson-Price, FREE to 25 junior members. Janet will share her journey as an immigration lawyer, answer any questions about her practice and take substantive questions.
We are excited to host our next Substantive Law Program on All Things Reciprocal – C20 Work Permits, taking place on April 18 and hosted by Kevin Zemp and Peter Rekai.
On Thursday April 25th, Joshua Schachnow, will lead a feature presentation: Canadian Immigration + AI: what is it and how you can better manage your practice in 2024.
We will distribute announcements for our upcoming CLE via CILA Voice (our Listserv), and event and registration details are available on our website.
SIGN UP TO OUR FREE WEBINAR MARCH 11
CILA’s next virtual event is taking place on Monday March 11 between 1:00 PM – 2:30 PM Eastern Time. This event is free to members and provides a more comprehensive update on CILA’s current activities, including exciting developments related to Right to Counsel. Please click here to sign up.
CLEANING UP THE ACT
The “Cleaning up the Act” committee led by Michael Battista has submitted their draft report on IRPA reform to CILA’s Board of Directors. The Board is grateful to Michael and other colleagues for their tireless work in preparing this excellent draft report. The report is currently under review, and we believe we will be able to release it to the public by early spring.
NEW AI COMMITTEE
We are pleased to be forming a new AI committee to explore how governments can use AI ethically in assessing immigration applications and also to explore how AI can benefit our firms in practice management.
STAKEHOLDER RELATIONS
On February 28, we met with Minister Marc Miller’s office to discuss improving client experience and access to counsel. We will remain in touch with the Minister’s office to continue dialogue on these topics and to provide CILA member suggestions.
CILA was a Silver Sponsor at the first-ever in-person Immigration, Refugee, and Citizenship Law Moot in Toronto on March 1-2. The event was an opportunity for CILA to support the next generation of immigration lawyers and encourage them to join our organization.
On February 29, CILA attended the annual Languages Canada conference in Vancouver as we look to build relationships across the immigration and international student sector.
CILA also received a letter of thanks from Senator Mobina Jaffer for the expert testimony provided by Tamara Mosher-Kuczer on Bill S-235.
ARTICLES
CILA released 12 articles in February. We thank Nava Elmi, Maxwell Musgrove, Lou Janssen Dangzalan, Ho Sung Kim, Ravi Jain, and Michael O’Rourke for their thought leadership.
We are always on the lookout for more articles. Please click here if you wish to submit one to us.
FEEDBACK
We welcome your feedback, comments, and suggestions. Please do not hesitate to reach out to us so we can continue to grow and improve.
Sincerely,
Barbara Jo Caruso
Vance Langford
Co-Presidents