Stewart Sharma Harsanyi Immigration Law Firm Blog

Refugee lawyers form group to fight laws they say violate Charter

> Embassy > September, 29, 2011 > Refugee lawyers form group to fight laws they say violate Charter > Human smuggling bill was ‘a wake-up call’ for lawyers and academics who > started the Canadian Association of Refugee Lawyers. > By Kristen Shane > Published Sep 29, 2011 1:10 AM > > After the government’s human smuggling bill gave them "a wake-up call," > refugee lawyers and academics have started the Canadian Association of > Refugee Lawyers to fight what they say are bad bills. > > And with a majority government, that fight will shift from the House of > Commons to the courts, where they anticipate Charter challenges. > > More than 150 refugee lawyers and academics who study refugee law > gathered in Toronto and via webcast from cities across Canada Sept. 9 to > launch the group. > > As of Sept. 26, more than 100 had registered as members of the new > group, which is in the process of being incorporated. It plans to > intervene before the courts on national refugee issues, make submissions > to parliamentary committees, and do other public outreach and education > on refugee law and policy. > >... Read more →

Embassy - interview with Jason Kenney

Embassy Kenney hopes human smuggling bill will pass before Christmas By Kristen Shane Published September 28, 2011 Jason Kenney was appointed minister of citizenship, immigration and multiculturalism almost three years ago. Dubbed by his opponents as "The minister of curry in a hurry" for his constant presence at multicultural events, he will have another busy legislative agenda on his plate this fall. Mr. Kenney says he hopes Bill C-4, the human smuggling bill he calls his top priority, will pass before Christmas. It is currently at second reading in the House. Meanwhile, refugee system reforms passed last year won't take effect until June 2012, an unexpected delay for some observers. Mr. Kenney blames the complexity of the changes required, and budget restraints. Mr. Kenney and Public Safety Minister Vic Toews often make announcements together these days. Expect more of the Kenney-Toews duo this fall, as Mr. Kenney says he hopes to see legislation tabled to streamline and speed up the process of removing foreign criminals. These changes come amid a constant emphasis on economic immigration that Mr. Kenney says will continue. Embassy sat down with him in his East Block office Sept. 21 to explain these changes and more. The... Read more →

Federal Skilled Worker Class Occupations and Cap Limits

Canada has reached 20% of its target of 10,000 applications under the Federal Skilled Worker Class. Read more →