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Congratulations to Justice Mary Moreau

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CIL was pleased to see the announcement that Justice Mary Moreau, a francophone judge in Alberta, will be appointed to the Supreme Court of Canada. This announcement underscores the importance of having a Supreme Court that reflects the many different groups of people across Canada. We need voices on the highest court from judges of a variety of backgrounds, from various provinces. As a francophone judge from the prairies, we hope Justice Moreau will bring a unique approach to the cases that make their way to the SCC.

CIL was particularly impressed with Justice Moreau’s interview with the Canadian Bar Association (CBA). Here is an excerpt of her answers.

I think the most useful tools I developed as a lawyer then as a judge came from my experience as an undergrad philosophy student. I was always curious (annoyingly so according to reliable sources).

[…]

Counsel and judges are being called on more and more to take on a resolution-focused role. They should be taking advantage of any early opportunity to peel away the layers preventing resolution of the dispute, get to the heart of the issue, and present creative ways of moving forward. I think restorative justice principles based on restoring the well-being of those whose lives have been affected by wrongdoing or injustice are a useful staging ground for reconciliation in all types of disputes.

The full interview can be found on the CBA website.

As you may be aware from Alastair Clarke’s biography online, he also completed an undergrad philosophy degree. He concurs with Justice Moreau that an education in philosophy may assist with legal analysis. Philosophy is key to understanding important legal concepts and examining fact patterns from different perspectives.

In addition, Alastair Clarke is also a strong advocate for restorative justice principles and creative solutions. During his testimony to Parliament, he encouraged the Government of Canada to take a collaborative approach to decision-making. Here is an excerpt of Mr Clarke’s testimony to the Members of Parliament:

My last point relates to a collaborative approach.

Part of the reason I was attracted to this area of law is that it is generally non-confrontational. To deal with minor issues, I can easily call a CMO at the IRB, a Superintendent at a POE, an inland enforcement officer or a lawyer at the DOJ. Dealing with IRCC, by contrast, is a constant struggle. When an IRCC Officer makes a clear mistake, there is no easy mechanism to get it fixed. In my view, the Request for Reconsideration system is broken and MPs are far too often put in the difficult position to act intermediaries. Bad decisions by Visa Officers are often easy to appeal to Federal Court but judicial reviews expend a huge amount of time and resources for both the applicants and the government.

Based on our review, it does not appear that Justice Moreau has significant experience dealing with immigration issues. Hopefully she will find some time to learn this area of law. We wish her and the SCC all the best.

Sponsor your Brother/Sister (UKR)

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In 2005, I was a law student working at a legal aid clinic in Toronto. We served Spanish-speaking clients from all over the world. Just as at present, we were talking to people every day, trying to help them navigate the Canadian immigration system. Everyone wants to come to Canada. At that time, the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act (IRPA) was relatively new and many people were not up to date with the new laws and regulations. We would regularly speak with folks who had heard about old programs. My job at that time, as it is today, is to guide people through the system and to make sure they are relying on accurate information.

One of the big changes after IRPA came into force was that siblings were no longer allowed to sponsor. Before IRPA, you could easily sponsor your brother or sister. The definition of “family member” changed with the new legislation and there was significant misinformation in the public. I spoke with many (many!) people who wanted to sponsor a sibling. IRPA did not make it impossible; however, it was significantly limited under the new laws. We can still help siblings with sponsorship applications under very limited circumstances. If they are a “last living relative”, for example, IRPA made it possible.

In 2023, IRCC is opening up the sponsorship application for brothers and sisters – for Ukrainian citizens. In a program that was just announced, Ukrainians can apply for Permanent Resident status if they have the following conditions:

Category 1: A family member of a Canadian citizen or permanent resident in Canada

You can apply to immigrate under this policy if you meet the following conditions.

You must :

  • be a Ukrainian national
  • be a family member of a Canadian citizen or permanent resident including their:
    • spouse or common-law partner
    • child (regardless of age)
    • grandchild
    • parent
    • grandparent, or
    • sibling (or half-sibling)
  • be in Canada when:
    • you submit your application
    • you’re granted permanent residence
  • have valid temporary resident status in Canada, or have applied to restore your status if it has been expired for less than 90 days
  • hold a passport or travel document, or provide supporting identity documents if you don’t hold one
  • provide a signed statutory declaration form (IMM 0191) from your family member in Canada explaining your relationship to them, and
  • be admissible to Canada

The Canadian citizen or permanent resident (your family member) must:

  • currently live in Canada
  • be at least 18 years of age or older
  • not have been granted permanent residence themselves under this policy

Category 2 – Spouse or common-law partner of a Ukrainian national who has family in Canada

You can apply to immigrate under this policy if you meet the following conditions.

You must be the spouse or common-law partner of a Ukrainian national.

Your spouse or partner must:

  • be unable to leave Ukraine, be missing, have passed away, or have presumed to have passed way
  • be the family member of a Canadian citizen or permanent resident including their:
    • child (regardless of age)
    • grandchild
    • parent
    • grandparent, or
    • sibling (or half-sibling)

You must:

  • be in Canada when:
    • you submit your application
    • you’re granted permanent residence
  • not have remarried or be in a common-law relationship with another person since leaving Ukraine
  • have valid temporary resident status in Canada, or have applied to restore your status if it has been expired for less than 90 days
  • hold a passport or travel document, or provide supporting identity documents if you don’t hold one
  • provide a signed statutory declaration form (IMM 0191) from your spouse or partner’s family member in Canada explaining your relationship to them, and
  • be admissible to Canada

We meet with many Ukrainians who are trying to get PR status. If you qualify for the above program, ENGLISH is not a requirement.

If you meet the criteria above, we would like to help you bring your family members to Canada!

ChatGPT: Canada is #2

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Currently, ChatGPT is the free version of the AI system developed by OpenAI. By the time you read this post, it could be replaced by another version, or even that version may have also been replaced. At CIL, we are extremely interested in using every tool at our disposal for the benefit of our clients. At the moment, we have not used ChatGPT in any submitted applications; however, that could soon change. It seems IRCC is keen to use AI in its decision-making.

For today’s exercise, the question is: which country or area in the world is the best place to live? The focus of this question is from a long-term perspective, taking into consideration climate change, economic factors, politics, and cultural and social stability. We wanted to get ChatGPT’s analysis to see how Canada ranks based on all the data within its system.

ChatGPT Answer #1:

OK – this is the first response to our series of questions:

  1. Scandinavia – Norway, Sweden, and Finland have some of the world’s highest standards of living, abundant renewable energy sources, and strong social safety nets that could help protect against the impacts of climate change.

  2. Canada – Canada has a vast amount of freshwater resources, ample arable land for agriculture, and a stable political system that could help weather the impacts of climate change.

  3. New Zealand – New Zealand is a relatively isolated island nation with diverse ecosystems that could support a variety of food sources, and ample renewable energy sources such as wind, hydro, and geothermal.

  4. Iceland – Iceland has abundant geothermal energy resources, which could provide a sustainable source of power even in a changing climate.

  5. Uruguay – Uruguay has made significant investments in renewable energy, with over 95% of its electricity coming from wind, solar, and hydropower. It also has a strong social safety net and relatively low vulnerability to climate-related disasters.

  6. Costa Rica – Costa Rica has made significant progress in transitioning to renewable energy and has a strong commitment to environmental protection, which could help it adapt to a changing climate.

  7. Denmark – Denmark has a highly developed social welfare system, abundant renewable energy resources, and a relatively low vulnerability to extreme weather events.

  8. Australia – Australia has a highly developed economy, ample freshwater resources, and a diversified agriculture sector, although it is vulnerable to climate-related disasters such as droughts and wildfires.

  9. Switzerland – Switzerland has a strong economy, abundant freshwater resources, and a highly educated population that could help it adapt to a changing climate.

  10. Chile – Chile has

To be clear, for #10, ChatGPT finished with an error. It started to explain why Chile was ranked #10 and then, abruptly, it stopped.

As you can see from above, Canada is ranked #2 in this first answer from ChatGPT. You can see the reasons Canada was ranked almost at the top of the list. I believe the information within ChatGPT ends prior to the war in Ukraine. I am guessing that Canada’s ranking may have been increased if ChatGPT took into consideration the military aggression by Russia and the potential for an invasion of Finland and Scandinavia. We have spoken with clients who were thinking of Scandinavia before the war and now they are thinking of other regions, further away from Russia.

ChatGPT Answer #2:

This is the second response from the same series of questions:

  1. Scandinavia: This region is known for its abundant natural resources, low levels of air pollution, and high standards of living. It also has a relatively cool climate that may be more resilient to the effects of climate change.

  2. Canada: Canada has vast tracts of wilderness, abundant freshwater resources, and a relatively stable political climate. It also has a well-developed healthcare system and a high level of social cohesion.

  3. New Zealand: This island nation has a temperate climate, a diverse natural environment, and strong governance. It also has a high standard of living and is often considered one of the safest countries in the world.

  4. Australia: While Australia is vulnerable to extreme weather events like bushfires and droughts, it also has abundant natural resources, a strong economy, and a relatively stable political climate.

  5. Northern Europe: This region includes countries like Germany, the Netherlands, and Switzerland, which have a high standard of living, robust healthcare systems, and a strong focus on sustainability.

  6. Uruguay: Uruguay has a relatively stable political climate, abundant freshwater resources, and a focus on renewable energy. It also has a diverse agricultural sector and a high level of social cohesion.

  7. Costa Rica: This Central American nation has a tropical climate, abundant natural resources, and a focus on sustainability. It also has a high level of social cohesion and a well-developed healthcare system.

  8. Iceland: Iceland has a relatively cool climate, abundant freshwater resources, and a focus on renewable energy. It also has a low level of air pollution and a high standard of living.

  9. Bhutan: This small Himalayan kingdom has a focus on sustainable development and a high level of social cohesion. It also has a diverse natural environment and a well-developed healthcare system.

  10. Pacific Northwest, USA: The Pacific Northwest, which includes states like Oregon and Washington, has a temperate climate, abundant freshwater resources, and a focus on sustainability. It also has a thriving tech industry and a diverse cultural scene.

Again, Canada is ranked #2. To be clear, the answer above is from exactly the same question in Answer #1. Because we got an error, we simply asked it to regenerate an answer from the same criteria. Interestingly, Answer #2 varies quite a bit from Answer 1. For example, Answer #1 does not include any part of the USA; however, Answer #2 includes the Pacific NW in slot #10.

Interestingly, Answer #2 add Bhutan at #9 of the ranking, a country that was not included in any way in Answer #1. In addition, Answer #2 identifies the Canadian health care system as an important point (and I would agree) while that is not mentioned in Answer #1.

As noted in our 2022 predictions for 2023, we included AI as a significant area for potential development. We are only in March and this prediction now seems inevitable.

 

Success: Justice for Minors

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I want to share a story that started in 2011 that has (finally) come to conclusion. This is a story about housing law, criminal law, public interest law and poverty law. Unlike almost everything else in this space, this case has nothing to do with immigration. This is a case of a Canadian family who needed legal help. I helped the family while I was working as Staff Lawyer at Unison Health and Community Services (“Unison”) in Toronto in 2011. During this time, this family needed significant support. After I moved to Winnipeg, another lawyer took over the case and helped this family actually collect the $$$.

Here is a summary of what happened from my Supervisor and Legal Director:

In 2011, we opened a file for clients who were being evicted for arrears of rent. Alastair Clarke was assigned to the file and represented the clients. As he found out more about the case, he found out that the clients and their 3 daughters were renting from the client’s parents, in the parents’ home. Alastair also found out details about the tenancy in that, the male landlord (grandfather) was assaulting the teenaged daughters. Alastair helped the clients file a tenant application against both landlords (grandparents) seeking compensation from them. I should also mention that around the same time, the grandfather was criminally charged and ultimately convicted for the assaults (and was jailed). To add to the ordeal of a hearing, during the course of the hearing process, the clients were offered money by the grandmother to withdraw the application. They did not. After approximately a year, and several appearances, the clients were successful, and obtained an Order for $25,000 which is the maximum allowable at the Landlord and Tenant Board (and rarely awarded)!
Often I tell clients, that winning a court case is only half the battle, and that collecting on any type of judgement is the other half. The grandparents did not pay as ordered. Therefore, we (Joanna Mullen who was filling in for Alastair at that time) looked into ways to help them collect on this judgement. In the end, she helped the clients file a writ against the grandparents’ home. This was in 2012.
 
Recently, we were contacted by the lawyer for the grandparents who had just sold the home. In order for the sale to be completed, the writ had to be first satisfied (paid out).
 
Today, I had the privilege of handing a certified cheque in the amount of $24,752 to the clients ($25,000 less some arrears owing)!!! When I handed them the cheque, the expressed their gratitude to both Alastair and Joanna and Unison, and stated that this would hopefully bring a bit of closure to the matter. I asked how the daughters were doing, and was told that while the healing process is ongoing, 1 daughter is finishing college, and 1 is engaged.
 
Congratulations to both Alastair and Joanna for their hard work on the file!!
As you can read from the above, this was a very sensitive situation and the girls were living with a sexual predator. The grandfather in the family was sexually molesting his granddaughters and taking advantage of the housing situation. It was a messy and stressful experience. At various times, the family wanted to just get out of the rental housing situation and move on. It takes courage and strength to pursue these cases to the end.
I want to recognize the work of Joanna Mullen who continues to work in the Ontario clinic system. She also shared her thoughts on this case:
Thanks to everyone for their kind words and congratulations. I also worked with the daughters on applications to the Criminal Injuries Compensation Board, which were successful. Even though it was several years ago now, the resiliency of those girls in the face of such horrific violations has remained with me. I am happy to hear that they are doing well and that we were able to deliver compensation after so much time had passed.
The reason I am sharing this story is to highlight the services from the legal clinic system in Ontario. Unison, in particular, should be the model for services. Residents can go to Unison to medical services, employment services, housing support, counseling services, youth programming, pre-natal classes, exercise classes (yoga), disability services and, of course, legal services. I would tell my colleagues that we were providing medical services because many of our clients had medical issues and we were working closely with doctors and nurses. Poverty law often covers many different issues and it makes things go so much easier when service providers can work together.
Another reason for sharing this story is to focus on justice. The adage that the wheels of justice move slowly is evident. This case has been going through various administrative tribunals and criminal courts for more than 10 years. This family has gone through significant stress. In the end, however, I hope they feel satisfied with the results and I am thrilled that the girls are doing well.

Congrats Voters!

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Canadians have, once again, elected a Minority Liberal government to represent their interests in Ottawa. The Members of Parliament who will be returning to govern are largely the same as those before, with a few significant exceptions. Here in Manitoba, I was pleased that both Jim Carr (Liberal) and Raquel Dancho (CPC) were both re-elected. Members of CIL have worked closely with the staff at these MP offices and they have been doing a great job to serve their constituents.

58% to 59% Turnout

News is reporting that approximately 58% of eligible voters were able to cast a ballot. Considering we are in the midst of a 4th wave (AB has recently declared a state of emergency), I would say this was good turnout. As reported last night, there were ridings where voters waited up to 4 hours in line. Very impressive.

Winnipeg win

Manitoba has a long history of active political participation. From Louis Riel to the activists during the Winnipeg general strike, Manitobans take politics seriously. The province is neither a CPC base as our neighbours to the west, nor a Liberal base as our neighbours to the east. Winnipeg and Manitoba is a quilt of different ridings and, I believe, voters take the issues seriously. Manitoban voters understand the particular issues for our region, in the “heart” of the continent.

In addition to congratulating all voters, I have to send out a positive message to the Liberals. They have, again, a minority government so they will be forced to work with other parties to pass legislation. I would encourage all MPs to find common ground on immigration issues to get things done.

Winnipeg – Smart City

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The Intelligent Communities Forum (ICF) has, once again, recognized the skills and intelligence of the people of Winnipeg. We are a “smart city”. This comes as no surprise. Winnipeg has been heralded as one of the most intelligent communities in the world many times before. The ICF compares 180 cities around the world, comparing the level of collaboration and innovation between metropolises in many countries to define a few as “smart cities”.

Tech-Savvy CitySmart City

The results of the 2021 ICF report confirm the obvious: Winnipeg is a leader in the areas of tech-savvy projects and innovation. As noted by CTV News:

In 2018, 2016 and 2014, ICF selected Winnipeg as a Top 7 Intelligent Community, recognizing the city’s global leadership in technology deployment, digital innovation and demonstrating a commitment to using data to improve the quality of life of all its citizens.

For residents of Winnipeg, we are constantly striving for community-led projects. This is part of the fabric of our city. Economic Development Winnipeg is leading the way to support tech-savvy projects and support the private sector to ensure we continue to be recognized an internationally-recognized “smart city”.

TEDxWinnipeg

I was honoured, back in 2018, to be selected to give a presentation at RBC Convention Centre with TEDxWinnipeg. It was yet another opportunity to connect with cutting-edge Winnipegers who were doing amazing projects. We had speakers from all walks of life who had initiated or were involved in amazing projects to better the lives of residents of our wonderful city.

TEDxWinnipeg is, in and of itself, a perfect example of the innovation and collaborative approach to projects in Winnipeg. It brings together thought-leaders from different fields to support innovative new projects to build our “smart city”.

If you are keen, you can watch my presentation on YouTube. 

From Mayor to the Street

Upon hearing the news, Mayor Brian Bowmen commented:

Being named to the international Top 7 list for the fourth time in 10 years and the ninth time for the Smart 21 list over the same period is strong validation that Winnipeg is a consistent competitor with cities from around the world. With a population that is expected to continue growing to a million people, Winnipeg is truly a world-class place to call home.”

I agree 100%. And immigration, with the MPNP program and the numerous universities and colleges that attract talent from every corner of the world, is the backbone on Winnipeg’s continued growth.

Here at CIL, we are thrilled to be part of helping the growth of Winnipeg and Manitoba. We look forward to celebrating when Winnipeg surpasses the 1 Million Residents mark. That will truly be a date to celebrate. We simply need to focus on short-term goals and help families, one at a time. We will get to 1M residents.

If you are reading this and you are interested in joining one of the “smart cities” of the world. Here at CIL, we would love to help you and your family achieve your immigration goals. Come and join us in Winnipeg. We look forward to working with you and helping you get settled in our diverse community.

Queen’s is #1

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I am proud to see that my alma mater, Queen’s University, has been ranked #1 in Canada and #5 in the world, based on Times Higher Education 2021 Impact Rankings. I attended Queen’s University from 2005 to 2007 for my law degree (LL.B, converted to J.D.) and I had a great experience. Located in Kingston, Ontario, the town has a strong campus culture and it is conveniently located between Ottawa and Toronto. While I was in law school, for example, we were able to make multiple trips to the Supreme Court of Canada and meet the justices on Canada’s top court. Down the highway in the other direction, it was easy to spend weekends in Toronto and Queen’s has a strong connection with Bay Street firms.Queen's

I hope you don’t mind if I take a trip down memory lane. I owe my practice and my firm, in part, due to the top level of education at Queen’s. My professors include Sharry Aiken, Barbara Jackman, Geri Sadoway, Paul Paton and FCA Justice David Stratas. Each one of these professors helped me find my passion for immigration and refugee law. During presentations at the University of Winnipeg and at BCIT, I have talked at length about the Singh decision at the SCC and the importance of this decision on all refugee claimants – even in 2021. My presentation would not have been nearing as interesting without the conversations that I had with Barb while I was at Queen’s.

My Blank Key

When I was in my small section at Queen’s, Professor Pardy gave each of us a blank key as a symbol of our law degree. He passed along a didactic story, which I will not repeat here, with the point that it is a privilege to go through law school. We learned how legal systems work. We learned how to read and interpret legalese. I remember a line from Rake where he was talking about how lawyers stopped using Latin. To paraphrase, lawyers were able to make English so cryptic and incomprehensible, they no longer needed to use Latin. Indeed.

Not All Roses and Puppies

I love talking to students about going to law school. This should not be an easy decision. If you or someone you know is thinking about going to law school, they need to understand the good… and the bad. In 2007, I graduated from Queen’s with around 160 other law students. Since then, 4 of my classmates have lost their lives. These deaths are tragic on different levels. Anyone who is considering a career in law should be aware of the high stress & anxiety. I have not checked recently but lawyers are generally at the top of the list for drug and alcohol abuse. Not surprisingly. (If you’re wondering, I meditate and I have a strong support network. I also take self-care very seriously.)

I want to wish all Queen’s grads an amazing 2021. Congratulations on getting #1 in Canada. Great school.

Enhanced Travel Document

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The Manitoba government continues to provide “enhanced” documents that serve as alternatives to a Canadian Passport for crossing the border into the United States by land and/or water. In certain circumstances, this enhanced travel document makes it easy to travel between Canada and the USA. The enhanced features allow the individual to cross the border easily and efficiently.

Currently, the only Canadian provinces to offer the enhanced documents are Manitoba, Ontario and BC. As noted below, Ontario may be canceling their program in 2019. In my view, this document is a poorly understood and little-known document that is cheap and easy to get.

Features:

  • Alternative to a Passport;
  • Helps people cross easily over the border;
  • Less stuff in your wallet/ purse.

The Manitoba enhanced Driver’s Licence allows individuals to simply use their Licence to cross the border. We used to be able to do this when crossing into the USA; however, the laws changed so that regular (non-enhanced) Driver’s Licences are no longer sufficient to enter the United States:

By Land and Sea (including ferries) – Canadian citizens traveling to the U.S. by land or sea are required to present one of the travel documents listed below, and may generally visit the U.S. for up to six months. CBP will accept: Canadian passport, Enhanced Driver’s License/Enhanced Identification Card, NEXUS, FAST/EXPRES and SENTRI enrollment cards.

Ontario recently proposed to discontinue this service and they have eliminated this option:

Ontario is proposing to eliminate an enhanced driver’s licence that allows people to enter the United States at land and water border crossings without a passport.

The driver’s licence option was introduced in 2009, when the U.S. required passports or other secure identification for anyone crossing into the country by land or sea, but it hasn’t had the anticipated uptake.

British Columbia and Manitoba have enhanced driver’s licences, and Quebec used to, but phased out the program — other provinces rejected the idea because it was too costly or there wasn’t enough public interest.

If you or your contacts are interested in the enhanced travel document, please contact our office and we can help with the application.

Presentation on Labour and Immigration

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At the request of instructor Bill Mathieson in the School of Business, Alastair gave a presentation at BCIT in Vancouver on the intersection between labour laws and immigration, including LMIA applications and MPNP-BIS. In particular, the presentation focused on Charter rights and laws in Canada that intersect these different areas of law. Labour laws in Canada are complex and these laws have an impact on workers, businesses, employers and individuals. Each one of these categories may be subject to different laws and regulations.

labour

In particular, employers in Canada need to be aware of compliance issues and adhering to Charter rights. This was a presentation that was done spontaneously at the request of Bill and it was a pleasure to meet these students. The BCIT students were actively engaged with the topic and they are clearly well informed with some of the legal issues that they may face when they become HR Managers or other professionals in Human Resources.

If you or your company is seeking legal advice on the intersection between labour laws and immigration laws, please contact Clarke Immigration Law directly for assistance. 

Bill Mathieson is a senior lecturer with deep roots in Vancouver. He is one of Canada’s top labour negotiators and he has provided instruction to students at BCIT as well as SFU – School of Business.

Denied Entry to Canada: What Can You Do?

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Crossing the border is rarely a simple act. In the post-9/11 world, security checks have increased and each foreign national faces additional scrutiny from Immigration Officers. In Canada, the border security is the responsibility of Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA), under the Ministry of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness. They work closely with other police agencies and they have access to international databases to screen everyone, and everything, that goes through a border. When CBSA is dealing with a Permanent Resident of Canada, a Canadian Citizen or an immigration application, they may refer the case to their counterparts at Immigration, Refugee and Citizenship Canada (IRCC, formerly known as CIC). If you are denied entry to Canada, it may be due to a negative determination by a CBSA Officer or an IRCC Officer. What can you do?

The first question to deal with is where you are trying to enter. Issues vary between entering at land borders, ports and airports. 

One of the common situations that we face is when Permanent Residents who are trying to fly back to Canada without a valid PR Card. The airline will not let them board their flight back to Canada without a valid travel document. There are a number of risks in these situations. One of my first concerns is that if the PR is anxious to return, they may insist on boarding the flight and then, when they enter Canada, they may request temporary status. This puts their Permanent Resident status at risk and we do not advise this option.

When a PR is flying back to Canada without a valid PR Card, they have two (2) main options – neither option is cheap or easy. The first option is to go to the nearest Canadian Consulate, Embassy or High Commission. Canada has hundreds of offices peppered around the world in every continent, except Antarctica. I have never had a client call who could not travel to a Canadian office within their jurisdiction.

Once the PR reaches the consulate, they may apply for a Permanent Resident Travel Document “PRTD”. The government fee for the document is $50 and processing times vary from 1 hour to 2 months. We had one case where the printer at the Canadian office was broken and they had to order a new printer before they could issue new travel documents. In general, the Officers who work in these offices are very supportive and they will help any Permanent Resident who is courteous and professional.

The second option, for some, is to fly to the United States and enter Canada at a land border. For those clients who are at the airport and they do not want to leave the airport, this may be an option. NOTE: this option is only available to individuals and/ or families who are able to enter the United States and they do not have other issues with American authorities. We also advise our clients that we do not practice US immigration law and, therefore, if there are any issues with US authorities, we would refer the matter to an American colleague.

Being denied entry can be a stressful experience. Airline staff are not government officials and their knowledge of Canadian immigration law is limited. If you or your family members are in a situation where you are denied entry, we recommend that you call a lawyer whom you trust to help you properly navigate the system.