january 1stDid you know that some refugees who obtain permanent residency in Canada share the same birthday? It may seem strange, but refugees and asylum seekers who do not know their birthdate or are unable to prove it are often given “January 1” as their date of birth for all official documents, including their permanent residency card. This story from the Globe and Mail highlights the issue:

In this interview, the Hon. Gerry Weiner takes a look back at Canadian immigration policy in 2016 and where it might go from here.

In this interview, Pace immigration lawyer Andy Semotiuk looks ahead at issues that will make immigration headlines in 2017.

In this interview, Pace Immigration lawyer Andy Semotiuk takes a look at what happened in immigration in 2016.

Gerry WeinerGerry Weiner – Pace Law Firm: Quebec has long been in control of its own immigration objectives, separate from those of the federal government. That remains true to this day. The result is that Canada still has an immigrant investor program, but it is centred in Quebec (a hodgepodge of provincial nomination programs targeting entrepreneurs also exists, but they are not straightforward ‘investor immigration’ programs in the classic sense).

Gerry WeinerHon. Gerry Weiner – Pace Immigration: Several years ago, my colleagues and I at Pace Law Firm developed ideas on how we could energize an investor immigration plan in Canada using an infrastructure program. That is, rebuilding Canadian infrastructure with new immigrant investor money. We have blogged about this numerous times.

Jim Metcalfe – Pace Immigration: To avoid being used by immigration scammers, would-be immigrants would do well to remember the old adage: If it sounds too good to be true, it is.

Luba Dinkova – Pace Immigration: If you are an international student and you wish to study in Canada, you aren’t alone.  Every year, hundreds of thousands of international students come to Canada to earn a diploma or a degree.

Jim Metcalfe – Pace Immigration: Starting November 10, 2016, persons who were exempt from obtaining a Canadian visitor’s visa began having to obtain an electronic Travel Authorization (eTA) before embarking by air to Canada.

Director of Immigration Jim Metcalfe: As the clock continues to tick, the Canadian government has doubled down on its commitment to bring 25,000 Syrian refugees to Canada before the end of 2015: