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Success: PGWP (Part time student) + Restoration

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The vast majority of international students come to Canada with the goal of achieving PR status. As we have reported, we have helped many students successfully go through the steps from Study Permit to PGWP to MPNP to PR status. We love helping students achieve their goals. Alastair Clarke’s father was a professor and his spouse is also a professor. We have strong ties to universities and DLIs.

In this case, our client initially applied for a Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP) on their own; however, the application was refused. The refusal from IRCC was based on the Officer’s determination that the client was a part-time student during multiple academic semesters. This is a common problem with many international students and it is very common they fail to properly explain their circumstances to the Officer. The Officer had many concerns regarding our client’s PGWP eligibility.

To review, an applicant for a PGWP application must complete the following:

  • Completed a study program of a minimum of 8 months at a DLI and the program must be PGWP-eligible
  • Provide proof that studies have been completed
  • Comply with language requirements
  • Complete a study program that meets the study program requirements
  • Apply within 180 days of completing study program
  • Confirm valid temporary status
  • Submit relevant supporting documents

To be eligible for a PGWP, international students must meet the above requirements that include completing an eligible program of at least eight months at a Designated Learning Institution (DLI) and maintaining full-time student status. For students who do not meet the above, we help them apply under the limited exceptions.

We have been helping students for many years and we have seen many changes to the PGWP program. In 2026, we have seen a significant increase in IRCC refusals. Many students seek our help to fix their situation after a refusal and we have been successful in most cases.

Restoration of Status & New PGWP Application

In this case, our client’s PGWP application was refused. Following the refusal, the client consulted with our office in December 2025 and retained our services shortly after.

As the refusal also resulted in a loss of status in Canada, the appropriate legal strategy was to submit a Restoration of Status application together with a new PGWP application. Under immigration regulations, restoration must be submitted within 90 days of losing status.

Building a Strong PGWP Application

In January 2026, our team conducted a detailed review of the client’s academic history. Ghislene worked closely with this client and his family to make sure we addressed all the IRCC Officer’s concerns and she worked with our client to draft a strong explanation. We gathered all relevant documentation and prepared a comprehensive explanation addressing the periods of part-time studies, including the specific circumstances surrounding those semesters.

Our goal was to clearly demonstrate that, despite the part-time periods, the client met the intent and requirements of the PGWP program.

The complete application package was submitted in February 2026.

PGWP APPROVAL

We are pleased to share that the application was approved in March 2026.

IRCC reviewed the additional package prepared and submitted by our office and updated the client’s initial application accordingly, ultimately granting our client a three-year Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP).

For a case involving both Restoration of Status and a new PGWP application after refusal, this was a remarkably fast processing time compared to similar cases.

PROCESSING TIME COMPARISON

  • IRCC Work Permit inside Canada processing time: 259 days
  • Typical Restoration of Status + PGWP processing time: Several months, according to similar cases
  • Our client’s processing time: Approximately 1 month

This highlights how a well-prepared PGWP application after refusal can significantly impact processing efficiency. We do our best to prepare a strong package so our clients’ applications are approved as quickly as possible.

APPLICATION TIMELINE

  • December 2025– Consultation
  • December 2025– Client retained CIL to prepare and submit the PGWP application
  • January 2026– Full file review and preparation of supporting documentation
  • February 2026– PGWP + Restoration of Status application submitted
  • March 2026– PGWP approved

RECOMMENDATION: What to Do After a PGWP Refusal

If your PGWP application has been refused due to part-time studies, you may still have options.

It is critical to act quickly, as restoration of status must be filed within 90 days. This is a fixed deadline that cannot be extended. If the applicant submits the package after 91 days, it will not be accepted by IRCC. A strong application addressing the reasons for part-time enrollment, supported by proper documentation and legal submissions, can significantly improve your chances of approval.

Seeking professional guidance ensures that your application is strategically prepared, complete, and aligned with immigration requirements.

 

 

2026: Common Mistakes

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We specialize in complex cases. We know that many people want to submit their applications to IRCC on their own, or with guidance from friends or neighbours who may have some experience. IRCC publishes, correctly, on their website that applicants do not need to hire a professional. That is true.

In 2025, the team at CIL has seen many significant changes to the Canadian immigration system. There has been an increase in refusals. Programs have been cut or limited. We entered a new era.

Many applicants continue to rely on outdated policies from the Trudeau era. Since then, the entire culture at IRCC has shifted. Previous Minister Marc Miller started to make cuts. Those cuts were deepened under current Minister Diab.

Here are the Top Common Mistakes in 2025:

  • 1. “My [relative/ friend/colleague] did it and it worked.”

We hear this quite frequently. Typically, the person who filed the application went through their process before 2024. From 2016 to 2024, the system was very different. We often saw cases where an applicant did not qualify for a Work Permit, for example, and the IRCC Officer was able to use their discretionary powers to issue a document regardless.

Times have changed. Relying on outdated guidance may lead to refusals. Every case is different. A procedure that may have worked for your friend may not work for you.

  • 2. “I just trusted my agent”

This is not a new mistake. This is a mistake that we have seen for the 15 years that we have been in practice. Never blindly trust your representative. Empower yourself. It is your application. If your agent messes up (everyone makes mistakes), the consequences are on your shoulders.

At CIL, we use our “triple check” approach to make sure we minimize mistakes. Do team members at CIL make mistakes? Sure. But our “triple check” approach makes sure that we catch 99% of mistakes before the application reaches an Officer. That is what our clients are paying for.

  • 3. Outdated forms

IRCC is constantly changing their forms. For example, IMM5476 was updated in NOV 2025. If the applicant submits outdated forms, the application may be returned or worse. It may also be refused. For IMM5476, IRCC will accept the old forms until MARCH 2026. For other forms that are out of date, the Officer may not be sympathetic. The onus is on the applicant to make sure all the forms are up to date.

  • 4. Wrong Fees to IRCC

IRCC increased their fees in DEC 2024 and then again in MARCH 2025. We have seen Work Permits refused because the applicant did not see the changes and they did not pay the correct fees. We have also seen Work Permit applications refused as the applicant failed to pay the Open Work Permit holder fee.

  • 5. Failure to Explain

Life is messy. Immigration can be complex. Applicants who assume the Officer will not notice an issue may get a refusal from IRCC. Our advice: make sure you provide an explanation for all potential issues. We have helped many clients reply to Officer’s concerns as stated in a Procedural Fairness Letter (PFL) and we help them with the explanation.

  • 6. “I watched a YouTube video”

There are many clickbait videos on YouTube related to Canadian immigration. A quick search will show many videos related to TR to PR programs. Applicants who rely on these videos may be on the wrong end of a decision. As with many aspects of our capitalist society, caveat emptor.

  • 7. “I didn’t understand the question”

Many IRCC forms ask broad questions. For example, a common question is whether the applicant has ever been refused an immigration application. Many people interpret this question and they believe it only applies to Canadian applications. That is incorrect. We met with many applicants in 2025 who had been refused applications to the USA or other countries and they failed to disclose that information. That can lead to a A40 determination and a 5 year ban from Canada. We have helped clients overcome the A40 at Federal Court; however, these cases are very difficult.

  • 8. “I thought I submitted the document”

IRCC Portals are complex and many people have trouble. Uploading a document is different from submitting the document. Unfortunately, we have met with many folks in 2025 who thought that uploading their documentation to IRCC was enough. They failed to click the submit button.

  • 9. Wrong Document Checklist

In immigration, there are so many document checklists out there that it can be difficult to figure out which one applies to your application. We have met with so many people who think they have found the right checklist and then they follow it. They gather and submit their documents with the belief that everything will be ok. Then they get a refusal and they are shocked. They had no idea they were relying on the wrong checklist.

  • 10. Factors Outside Your Control

The team at CIL has helped clients from more than 100 countries. Every country has its own issues and procedures. Sometimes there are factors, outside the applicant’s control, that may impact the decision. Unfortunately, it may not be sufficient for the applicant to simply state the factors outside their control. They must demonstrate they have made “best efforts” to comply with Canadian laws and regulations.

Changes in 2026

We expect the Canadian immigration system will be quite different in 2026. There will likely be more scams and victims of abuse by desperate applicants. At CIL, we support law enforcement efforts to go after criminal consultants and we hope they are held accountable. In many cases, foreign workers are the victims. 

We wish you all the best for 2026 and we are here to help. 

 

G&M: Canada’s Border is Broken

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The Globe and Mail’s Doug Saunders recently published an extensive article that reviews various issues with the Canadian immigration system. Alastair Clarke was interviewed by Doug Saunders for this article and the article highlights past cases, commentary and provides a few solutions.  We agree there are many issues within our system, too many to cover in one article; however, we applaud Mr Saunders’ work to identify certain issues and provide potential solutions. We need sound solutions and, perhaps, the entire system warrants a complete overhaul with a focus on modernization.

Mr Saunders is the International Affairs Columnist for the G&M and his piece includes sound recommendations to reform and update the Canadian immigration system. The article refers to a few problematic cases that identified problems in the system. Here is the summary of solutions which are recommended by Mr Saunders:

The solutions: Simplify the system with provinces at the centre. Create a single front door. Remove incentives to come to the border. Fill immigration needs using existing Canadian residents

Please read the article for details. Mr Saunders’ piece is extensive and detailed.

Provincial Needs

During my interview with Mr Saunders, we discussed the potential solutions above. Regarding the first point, we agree 100% with a renewed focus on provincial needs. We have always supported an immigration system that recognizes the variances between the different regions in Canada. The severe housing crisis in Toronto is not a big deal in Winnipeg. You likely hear about the housing crisis across Canada. That is simply not the case. There may be a crisis in Toronto and Vancouver. The recent legislation to ban certain foreign buyers of property in Canada was directed at those large markets; however, it is a law with national scope and it affects other markets that do not have to deal with this issue.

This point is acute given our situation in Manitoba. MPNP was the first (and best!) provincial nominee program. It was designed based on our unique situation. Alastair Clarke is regularly in contact with MPNP Officers. He met with Malaya Marcelino, Minister of Labour and Immigration in Manitoba to review the needs for the program in 2025. She correctly made the request to IRCC for 12,000 Nomination Certificates. After that request, IRCC decided to allocate only 4,750 certificates to the provinces – far below the number requested by Minister Marcelino.

Clearly, there is a disconnect between the decisions made by IRCC in Ottawa and the actual needs of the various provinces and communities.

Collaborative Approach

This was not identified specifically by Mr Saunders; however, it has been a potential solution that has been offered by other experts. For years, Alastair Clarke has been calling for IRCC to implement a “collaborative” approach. Mr Sauders highlighted this approach in the Globe and Mail article:

Canada’s main points-based stream for high-skill families, ironically known as Express Entry, has become a complex and lengthy ordeal that all but mandates would-be immigrant families to pay large sums to a lawyer and be prepared to submit and resubmit voluminous documents, repeatedly switch between programs and pathways, and await results of monthly lotteries often stretching out for years. Currently, Express Entry has a backlog of almost half a million family applications.

“I think immigration should be a more collaborative process,” says Alastair Clarke, who was the Warkentin’s Winnipeg-based lawyer. “Far too often when an officer receives an application that has some small thing missing, instead of talking to the applicant, instead they’ll either return it or refuse the application. It would be much more efficient if they could just resolve issues in a much more informal process.”

As a consequence of this, people who ought to be permanent-resident immigration applicants are choosing instead to come to Canada through quicker pathways: As college or university students, as temporary workers, as refugees or through an astonishing range of specialized programs targeting specific work areas (such as domestic workers or home builders).

Indeed, Alastair Clarke’s comments above were reiterated during his testimony to Parliament (CIMM Committee) in 2020. Here is an excerpt from that testimony:

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.

Alastair Clarke’s comments from 2020 were relevant then and they are even more relevant today. From our point of view, we are on the same side. We are all fighting to build Canada and to build our communities.

Create a Single Front Door

This is one of Mr Saunders’ suggestions. Over the years, IRCC has been moving in this direction. We used to have to deal with 19 different portals. They have been trying to steamline the online system to make it easier. This is a work in process and we believe that IRCC has been trying to implement a simpler system that includes a “single front door” to Canada’s immigration system.

Remove Incentives to Come to the Border

Mr Saunders identifies many issues at the border:

There has to be a sensible Canadian space between Trumpist mass deportations and closed borders on one hand, and on the other the current reality of a set of policies and institutions that make Canadian governments unable to control who enters the country.

He recognizes that this solution would require “systemwide reforms”. Alastair Clarke is in regular contact with CBSA Officers at various border points (POEs). These Officers have described the difficulties in their positions to regulate the flow of people who are fleeing the USA. In addition, there is an increase in the number of people who enter Canada and then head south to the USA.

In 2022, the tragic case of the Indian family who perished during their journey to the USA was covered by CityNews. The 2 agent smugglers were convicted and they are currently in prison.

 

 

CityNews: Agents Convicted in USA

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Alastair Clarke and the team at CIL have helped many victims over the years. These victims are often misguided by their immigration consultants or agents and it can result in an investigation. Victims almost never pay the ultimate price of losing their lives after following bad advice from an immigration consultant or agent. Today, we are sharing a story where a family of 4 – mother, father and two (2) young children – paid that ultimate price and they lost their lives crossing from Canada into the USA on foot. WARNING: this story may be traumatic or triggering for some readers.

CityNews, as well as many other news agencies, have been covering this tragic story over the past 2 years. As reported, the mother or father from India applied to come to Canada on a Study Permit and the application was approved. They were granted the right to come and study in Canada by the Visa Office. In 2022, the family entered Canada and travelled from Ontario to Manitoba. Presumably, they were granted a Permit to study at a DLI in Ontario and it is possible that the DLI was one of the “puppy mills” described by the Minister. After entering Ontario, this family were in contact with their agent who instructed them to travel to Manitoba and then walk across the border to the USA on foot through farmland. They never made it to their destination. They were found frozen to death in a blizzard in 2022. As reported by CityNews:

Harshkumar Ramanlal Patel and Steve Shand are accused of being part of an operation that brought people from India to Canada then across the border from Manitoba to Minnesota.

One of the trips they are accused of taking part in saw a family from India — a couple and their two young children — die in a blizzard in January 2022, when the wind chill was below -35.

Alastair Clarke has been interviewed many times by various news outlets related to immigration stories. Unfortunately, there are many victims of these schemes. In most cases, the victims do not perish from the journey. In this case, a survivor from the trek testified against Harshkumar Ramanlal Patel and Steve Shand in the criminal court in the USA. That testimony was key to these convictions.

As reported, there are criminal investigations ongoing in India. RCMP has also announced that they have an investigation open; however, no one has been charged or convicted in Canada.

Victims of Immigration Agents & “Bad Actors”

Minister Miller has repeatedly called out “bad actors” in the system. These are individuals who are taking advantage of the most vulnerable people. CIL has helped hundreds, possibly thousands, of victims of bad immigration agents. As we reported here in SEPT 2024:

Mr. Alozie is part of a group of criminals who have created victims in the immigration system. Also in 2020, Mr Zhihao Jia was also criminally charged for unlawfully representing people applying for immigration, misrepresenting facts on immigration applications, and communicating false or misleading information with the intent of inducing immigration to Canada. This is an offence under IRPA.

Jiatoo Immigration Consulting has closed and many Chinese families are facing investigations by CBSA. They are also at risk of losing their status and being removed from Canada. Thankfully, we have helped both Nigerian clients who made the mistake of hiring a shady agent as well as Chinese clients who made the same mistake. None of our clients have lost their status.

We were able to help many Nigerian victims and Chinese victims who were abused by these immigration agents.

CILA Recommendations

The Canadian Immigration Lawyers Association has responded to many of these concerns in a letter dated 20 NOV 2024. Full disclosure: Alastair Clarke has personal connections with BJ Caruso, one of the writers of this letter and he has personal connections with many members of the Executive at CILA. They recommend the following 7 points:

  1. Launch an “Expert Task Force to Combat Ghost Consultants” with a mandate to provide you with recommendations for improvement by 2025.
  2. Require applicants who do not file a Use of a Representative Form to complete a Letter of Attestation confirming they did not receive assistance for their application from a third party in exchange for compensation.
  3. Introduce a reform that consultants operating outside Canada are no longer authorized to represent clients.
  4. Ensure the CICC has the means to thoroughly audit each one of its members. If they do not, enforce regulatory change to limit their mandate and the number of consultants.
  5. Ensure that the CICC mandate its licensees to assist in maintaining the honour and integrity of the immigration system, and to expose dishonest conduct by any other licensee, unlicensed consultant, or any other parties, and being forthcoming with clients and adjudicators about such conduct.
  6. Consider introducing a whistleblower reporting system similar to what exists in criminal law wherein victims of immigration consultants can become cooperative witnesses.
  7. Ensure IRCC has enough capacity to apply the new AMPs and that they only apply to immigration consultants to avoid jurisdictional conflict with law societies, preserve the independence of the bar, and avoid duplication of regulation of lawyers.

To be clear, CIL agrees with the recommendations above. In particular, point #6 needs to be prioritized. On the US side, it seems the victim who crossed with the family in 2022 was able to testify against the criminal immigration agents. I imagine that this testimy was key to the above convictions. In my view, Canada needs to immediately pass legislation to support whistleblowers who can help weed out the “bad actors” in the system.

Success: LMIA (low wage)

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We love helping small businesses in Manitoba. We know how difficult it can be for small businesses to find and retain workers. We regularly get calls from small business owners who are frustrated that they cannot find workers. Canada is currently in crisis. Minister Miller has announced that IRCC has a plan to significantly reduce the number of temporary foreign workers (TFWs) and international students. Despite these plans, we know the importance of these workers for businesses in Manitoba.

Congratulations to our client for their positive Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) (low wage) to help their business. They can now hire a worker with the necessary skills and experience so they can build their business and, in turn, help the economy in Manitoba.

Business Immigration Lawyers in Manitoba

This is a niche area. Many LMIA applications are refused. We see many business owners after they have retained an immigration consultant who has not done a good job. They are frustrated with a refusal from Service Canada. As an expert who has presented on this topic to students at BCIT – School of Business in Vancouver, Alastair Clarke takes pleasure as a business immigration lawyer in Manitoba to assist clients at CIL.

This is a common situation, unfortunately, and it is an area of law with a high rate of corruption and shady practices.

These are applications that are not processed by IRCC. They used to be within the realm of IRCC (then known as CIC) but, based on the high number of questionable applications, the power to process these applications was transferred to Service Canada.

Regulation 203(3)(a) of the Immigration and Refugee Protection Regulations (the “IRPR“) states:

(3) An assessment provided by the Department of Employment and Social Development with respect to the matters referred to in paragraph (1)(b) shall, unless the employment of the foreign national is unlikely to have a positive or neutral effect on the labour market in Canada as a result of the application of subsection (1.01), be based on the following factors:

(a) whether the employment of the foreign national will or is likely to result in direct job creation or job retention for Canadian citizens or permanent residents

ESDC has published significant information online to describe the process on how to hire a temporary foreign worker. According to internal manuals at ESDC, Officers will consider the following questions:

  1. How will the staffing of this position lead to direct job creation or retention?
  2. How many jobs will be created/retained?
  3. What are the job titles?
  4. When will the positions be filled?
  5. Are the positions full-time or part-time?
  6. What is the duration of the positions?
  7. Will the positions be staffed with Canadians / permanent residents?
  8. If the LMIA is for a high-wage position does the Transition Plan reflect an activity which supports job creation or retention?
  9. Will the employment of the foreign national lead to job losses, now or in the foreseeable future, for Canadians or permanent residents?

ESDC Processing Timeline

Service Canada Officers work quickly to process LMIA applications. Unlikely IRCC, ESDC applications are processed quickly and Officers may be extremely hands-on. As we have published before, we have included the fast processing of LMIA application for our clients. 

In the above case, our client was interviewed by the Service Canada Officer who confirmed the details of the application. We made sure our client was prepared for the interview. All the details were confirmed and our client got a positive result.

What is the purpose of a legal consultation?

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In this post, we explain what you can expect during an initial consultation with an immigration lawyer. We answer the questions: “what is the purpose of a legal consultation?” and “what can I expect during the initial meeting with a lawyer?” We also have links at the bottom to help you make this important decision.

At CIL, we get dozens of requests for a consultation every day. During the consultations, you will speak with an immigration lawyer and he will take comprehensive notes during these meetings. We love meeting new potential clients. You may bring family members, social workers, agents or friends to the consultation. These supporters may provide emotional support or they may also have questions. Everyone is welcome.

DEFINITION

According to online dictionaries, here is one definition of “consultation”:

a meeting with an expert or professional, such as a medical doctor, in order to seek advice.
Another definition:
the process of discussing something with someone in order to get their advice or opinion about it
You may book a consultation with a lawyer, a doctor, an accountant or other professionals. Hopefully, the specialist will have enough time, during the consultation, to review the relevant facts and provide useful advice on what you may, or may not, be able to do to remedy the problem or achieve your goals.
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WHAT HAPPENS DURING AN INITIAL CONSULTATION?

At the initial consultation with the immigration lawyer, you will have a chance to explain your situation. You can provide a brief description. The lawyer is not looking for you to recount your whole story. He needs a summary to assess the following points:

  • Understand the basic facts;
  • Determine the nature of the legal issue;
  • Assess your legal options;
  • Describe, in general, the steps involved in the different options;
  • Provide a general assessment on your prospects of success; and,
  • Provide a quote associated with the requested services.

At the end of the consultation, the lawyer will let you know if the team at CIL can assist. We are extremely busy and we serve hundreds of clients at any given time. If you have an emergency, please contact us as soon as possible to book a consultation.

CAN YOU RECORD THE CONSULTATION?

Yes, you can. Use your phone to record. Use your laptop. Use a recording device. We know that meeting with a lawyer can be stressful. We know that telling your story may be difficult and, potentially, quite stressful. Our goal is for your consultation to be a positive and useful experience. Bring family members. Record the consultation. Bring lists of questions.

We have had consultations where a potential client has described past trauma. We have tissue in our conference room. They brought a sibling to the consultation and recorded the entire meeting. The potential client was able to replay the consultation afterwards and listen to the legal options. Our goal is to help.

GETTING A LEGAL OPINION

An initial consultation with a lawyer is very similar to that of a doctor. When you first meet a doctor, they may do a brief examination and you may ask questions. You need to ensure that the doctor is the right doctor for your situation. Most matters involving lawyers or doctors are quite serious so you want to find the best professional.
We love meeting new people and we know you may have a high level of stress. We have met many people who have been “burned” by other immigration professionals. They are very cautious when they come and meet with us for the first time and they do not want another bad experience. Hopefully, during our consultation, we can have a useful conversation and you can decide whether the team at CIL is a good fit.
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HOW  MUCH DOES A CONSULTATION COST?

The team at CIL gets many (MANY!) requests for a “free” assessment and we know there may be shady agents who provide “free” consultations. CIL does not provide free consultations. Agents who do “free” consultations are not interested in giving any useful information. They give you a sales pitch. You get what you pay for – nothing useful. That is a waste of time for both the individual and the professional. In these cases, caveat emptor.
So how much should you pay for a consultation? In 2016, we published an article that includes 12 Tips for Choosing an Immigration Lawyer. As noted in that article:
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Consultation Fees range from CAD $150 to CAD $600, depending on the firm, and you should use this time well.
This information is, perhaps, out of date. We have not seen consultation fees at $150 for many years. Another website online provides this range of consultation fees:

You can see other quotes online for different fees for a consultation. The fees that lawyers charge are completely up to them and there is a huge range of professional fees from different immigration lawyers across Canada, in the same way, there is a huge range in the $$ that immigration lawyers charge for a consultation. For example, a lawyer in Alberta charges CAD $630.00 for a 50-minute consultation. From our point of view, that seems too high based on the level of service we can provide during a consultation.

GHOST REPRESENTATION

During a consultation, a lawyer cannot review applications, documents and provide legal advice so the individual may submit the applications on their own. This is called “ghost” representation and it is against the law. Lawyers cannot give comprehensive legal advice without being retained for many reasons, including requirements from their malpractice insurance carriers.

SIGNING A CONTRACT

OK – after the consultation, you may request a contract for a particular service. The contract will include a detailed section with Services and Fees. You should read the contract to understand the scope of the work.
Booking a consultation and meeting with a lawyer is not the same as retaining the lawyer or the law firm. The consultation does not mean that the lawyer is automatically your representative. For that, we must follow Law Society Rules. We need a signed contract that clearly outlines the services and fees. Once you have a signed contract and paid the deposit, you have retained legal counsel. We look forward to working with you.
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DO YOU NEED A LAWYER?

No, you are never required to hire a lawyer. That is your choice. In the same manner that, if you break your leg, you do not need to go to the hospital. It is recommended, but it is always your choice. Many people who come to CIL for a consultation do not sign a contract. The information from the consultation may be enough. From our point of view, that’s perfect. Hopefully, we were able to answer their questions and provide useful information.
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MORE RESOURCES

Here are a few articles for more information:

Economic Mobility Pathways Pilot (EMPP)

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IRCC has announced the Economic Mobility Pathways Pilot (EMPP) to help both skilled refugees and employers in Canada who are dealing with the labour shortage. It is scheduled to begin in SUMMER 2023. As noted by IRCC:

This allows Canada to welcome vulnerable people while giving Canadian employers access to an untapped talent pool from which they can attract and retain employees with the skills they need to help grow our economy.

The focus of this pathway will be on in-demand occupations and labour shortages. IRCC has identified these professions:

  • nurse aides
  • personal support workers
  • long-term care aides
  • software engineers
  • web designers
  • mechanical and electrical engineers
  • technicians
  • teachers
  • tourism and hospitality workers
  • truck and delivery service drivers

In Manitoba, CIL has met with many employers who are having difficulty finding and securing staff for their businesses. We work hard to help them meet their staffing needs to keep their businesses churning.

This is a new program. IRCC has announced details for this new pathway will be published within the next few weeks.

There is strong potential for this pilot program to become beneficial for both employers and skilled refugees.

Success: Fast Work Permits

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Processing times at IRCC are a huge concern for the team at CIL as well as our clients. We are constantly looking for ways to get fast results. IRCC publishes “average” processing times for many applications; however, these published times are often inaccurate and misleading. For example, there are 30+ different types of Work Permits which may be submitted to CPC-Edmonton, POEs or Visa Offices abroad. Open Work Permits are processed completely differently from Closed Work Permits. Yet, the IRCC processing time does not distinguish between the myriad types of Work Permits. Clients may have completely wrong expectations if they rely only on the information on the IRCC website.

Recently, we have been getting quick approvals from IRCC for Work Permit applications. Again, each application is a separate package with particular circumstances. We know, however, how frustrating it can be for applicants to wait (and wait and wait….) while they try to guess what the IRCC is doing. For this reason, we want to share these processing times:

OPEN WORK PERMIT #1:

  • Submitted to IRCC: 20 DEC 2022
  • Approval: 19 JAN 2023
  • Processing time: 30 DAYS

OPEN WORK PERMIT #2

  • Submitted to IRCC: 15 JAN 2023
  • Approval: 10 FEB 2023
  • Processing time: 26 DAYS

PGWP

  • Submitted to IRCC: 4 NOV 2022
  • Approval: 14 DEC 2022
  • Processing time: 40 DAYS

According to IRCC, the average Work Permit processing from inside Canada (initial and extension) is 158 DAYS for online applications and 58 DAYS for paper applications. 

Clearly, the team at CIL are making sure our clients get the best results… as fast as possible.

RIP Mendel Green

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This post is personal. Mendel Green passed away on 13 JAN 2023. He is a legend in Canadian immigration law. Many have called him the Grandfather of Canadian immigration law. His impact and legacy within our immigration system, arguably the best immigration in the world, cannot be overstated. I am not exaggerating when I say that Canada would not be the same country without the work of Mendel Green. He spent decades serving clients, mentoring lawyers, guiding Ministers and shaping our laws & regulations.

Personally, I articled at Green & Spiegel LLP in 2007 and I worked there briefly in 2008 as an Associate before I moved to a legal aid clinic. During my time at G&S, I worked closely with Mr Green (for me, he was always “Mr Green”) on many files, some of national importance. I spent many hours in his office taking notes and learning from the way he practiced law. I remember his amazing attention to detail. He genuinely cared about every person who walked into his office and he greeted everyone with warmth. He loved solving puzzles and finding the crux of the case.

As noted in his obituary:

Mendel was a legal pioneer. He was instrumental in setting up the Immigration Bar and most members spent some time of their career as part of his firm. He was a man who those who met, never forgot. He had a small town smile in a large city.

I agree 100%. I heard about his passing from an email. The same day, the CBA Immigration section listserv was filled with heartfelt notes and convalescences. Mr Green has had a direct positive impact on more immigration lawyers than I can name in this space. It would not be an exaggeration that Mr Green has helped, directly and indirectly, +100,000 people in Canada.

I feel incredibly fortunate to have been able to work with Mr Green and to learn from his experience. For many years, I have been presenting guest lectures to law school students and university students. One of my presentations focuses on the creation of the IRB and the Singh decision. Mr Green argued that case at the Supreme Court of Canada, a decision that significantly changed the Canadian immigration system. When I speak with students, I will often share anecdotes or stories from Mr Green. He will always be a mentor of mine and will continue to honour his memory by sharing his insight.