Stewart Sharma Harsanyi Immigration Law Firm Blog

Death of an Advocate

Dugald Christie, a Vancouver lawyer cycling across Canada to urge better support to legal aid lawyers and lawyers providing pro bono services/and increase access to justice, was struck and killed in Ontario. As reported in the CBA National publication (September 2006) Christie "was dedicated to the plight of those on the fringes of society...He owned a bedrock belief that the law should protect everyone, regardless of their station in life..." All too often, lawyers are derided, but Christie was an example of the overwhelming good the profession of law brings to bear on society. Read more →

Lebanon Evacuation...

The evacuation of Canadian-Lebanese dual citizens has cost Canadian tax payers $85 million. Approximately 15,000 were evacuated...and approximately half (7,000) have already returned to Lebanon. If nothing else, this will spark debate over Canada's stance towards' dual-nationality and of course its obligations to citizens that choose to reside under a different government. Hamilton Spectator article here. Read more →

Asylum Numbers

An AP article indicates that the US has overtaken France as the country with the highest number of asylum applications. Canada is 6th on the list. The list however, does not appear to be adjusted on to the 'host' country's population -- if it had, I would imagine that Canada would be in the top three. There appears to be a downward trend in asylum applications in most industrialized countries. In my estimation, however, it's not due to the world suddenly becoming less dangerous...it's due to efforts by industrialized countries to limit the number of asylum seekers. Look no further than the Canada-US Safe Third Country Agreement credited for a substantial drop in refugee applications at the border. The IRB itself has streamlined procedure, becoming more 'administrative' as opposed to quasi-judicial in its dealings. Read more →

Arar Cleared

The 21/2 year commission/inquiry report into the Maher Arar matter has been released. Judge Dennis O'Connor, in writing the report found: "categorically ...no evidence" that Arar did anything wrong or was a security threat... Arar's reaction: "Today Justice O'Connor has cleared my name and restored my reputation," he said at a news conference. He said the individual Canadian officials should be held accountable: "Justice requires no less." MSNBC article here. Immigration and international law lawyer Lorne Waldman was counsel for Arar for the past 3 years. It appears clear that criticism of Canadian Intelligence and its shortcomings have been ongoing since the agency was created in 1980's. These shortcomings have been now conclusively demonstrated in both the Air India matter, and with Arar, who lost both years from his life and from his family. Read more →

The Profession of Law

Just came across the Texas State Bar site...it includes a letter written about 40 years ago from a lawyer who had practiced for 30 years to his son (a recent graduate from law school). It's a good letter to read - especially by lawyers who sometimes may feel overwhelmed with the cynicism against lawyers and the law by society. Link is here. The article ends "...Law is the greatest profession there is." I haven't practiced law for 30 years (not even 5), but I have to say, I can't imagine doing anything else. I have met individuals who wouldn't choose the practice of law if they "did it all over again" or who wouldn't recommend it as a career/profession to their children. The profession is what you make of it. From my (limited) experience, much of professional satisfaction can be linked to choices we make. Read more →

Post 9/11 Facts

'Reverberations of 9/11' Article on pg A5 Globe and Mail September 9. Some interesting facts post 9/11: - number of judges on the Federal Court has nearly doubled, to 29 - 5 individuals incarcerated under Canada's immigration security certificates - 242 per cent increase in the number of US residents seeking asylum/refugee status in Canada - 60 per cent of those polled in the US said authorities should single out "Middle Eastern" looking individuals for security screening - Canadian PR cards contain a number of features making them resistant to tampering and duplication - Drop in earnings of 10 per cent of Muslim and Arab men working in the US since 9/11 Read more →