Stewart Sharma Harsanyi Calgary Immigration Law Firm Blog

Pathway to Permanent Residency for So Called Low Skilled Workers

I appeared before the House of Commons Standing Committee on Citizenship and Immigration on the impact of COVID-19 on our immigration system. I made an opening statement and took questions regarding a pathway to permanent residency for so-called low skilled workers (revealed as front-line and essential workers by this pandemic). I am hoping that the existing Express Entry pathway is modified to recognize the significant contributions these individuals have made to Canada and allow them a clear pathway to permanent residency. Transcript follows the video. Madam Chair: Into consideration. So with this, I thank all the witnesses for their opening remarks and we will now move to the first round of questioning and which will be of six minutes each. I will move to Mr. Hallan, Mr. Hallan, you have six minutes. Mr. Hallan: Thank you, Madam chair- Madam Chair: You can start. Mr. Hallan: Thank you, Madam chair. And thank you to all the witnesses for coming today and sharing your thoughts and experiences. I wanted to touch on some points that some of the speakers had highlighted. We know that this pandemic has brought many things to light. I was always taught that work is work. Work carries... Read more →

CIMM Study of the Impact of COVID-19 on the Immigration System

It was a pleasure appearing before the House of Commons Standing Committee on Citizenship and Immigration today (Friday, November 6, 2020) regarding its study of the impact of COVID-19 on the immigration system. My opening statement follows the video embed: Thank you Madam Chair; committee members. It’s my pleasure to appear before this Committee again and speak to you today regarding the impact of COVID-19 on our immigration system. COVID-19 was an unprecedented disruption to our immigration system. This was something completely new, completely unexpected and it impacted almost every line of business at IRCC. IRCC was caught flat footed -as were we all. Hundreds if not thousands of immigration and visa officers had to stop working or start working remotely. Visitor visa applications, biometrics, medical examinations. All essentially eliminated for weeks and months. Visa application centres were shut down. Families have been separated -whether by borders or travel logistics or other conditions in other countries. Citizenship ceremonies and landing for PRs were put off. Language schools and other DLI’s are on tenterhooks. Thousands of International Students are still trying to navigate this new landscape. There are significant delays in processing submitted applications, including those submitted electronically for individuals within... Read more →

Interview: How the Outcome of the US Election Could Impact Canada's Immigration System -CTV News November 3, 2020

It was a pleasure talking to CTV's veteran reporter Kevin Green yesterday on the impact of the US election on Canada's immigration system. Immigration benefits One group that would benefit from a Trump win are those helping people immigrate to Canada. . Raj Sharma, a Calgary Immigration lawyer, said a Trump win would drive immigrants away from the Unites States, and many would choose Canada instead, but Sharma doesn’t think he’ll see many of the Americans who have proclaimed they’d move to this country if Trump is re-elected. “I think it's a sort of something that people say, I think that there's very little serious intent behind it," he said. "Picking up and moving to another country is not as easy as going down to 7-11 to pick up a Slurpee.” "Americans sort of just assume that Canada is this consolation prize, which is somewhat offensive to a Canadian like myself and other Canadians. I mean, there's individuals that come here, they work very, very hard and eventually obtain status here. So I think Americans take us a bit for granted.” Sharma said some Americans who have tried to immigrate to Canada have been surprised at how difficult it actually... Read more →

COVID-19 and the Impact on Canada's Immigration System -Interview on RedFM with Rishi Nagar November 3, 2020

COVID-19 and the Impact on Canada's Immigration System -Interview on RedFM with Rishi Nagar November 3, 2020. 2020 11 03 interview redfm Read more →