GGilaw Press Room

focus of Canada's Global Skills Strategy on November 30, 2016. The Global Skills

Strategy will help the processing of highly qualified talent from around the world to

We anticipate the program will be implemented in 2017. The Global Skills Strategy will:

Federal Government announces measures to facilitate entry of foreign workers

11th edition of The Best Lawyers in Canada 2017 in the field of Immigration Law

With the increased securitization of the world’s borders, Canada has introduced

new Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA)entry requirement will become mandatory

The Liberal government has said that they will be taking steps to return the age of

On June 1, 2016, Immigration Refugees and Citizenship Canada will be introducing

speakers who are in skilled positions to settle in communities outside of Quebec.

E-Passport required for Visa Waiver Program Travelers Starting April 1, 2016

As our firm previously reported in an earlier update, as part of the enhanced security

All VWP travelers should ensure their passport meets the new e-Passport requirements

for travel to the United States after March 1, 2016. If not, the traveler may need to

obtain a new e-passport prior to travel or obtain a visitor visa from a U.S. Consulate

Waiver Program Improvement and Terrorist Travel Prevention Act of 2015 (the Act).

an alert notifying stakeholders that increased H-1B and L-1 petition fees will apply

December 1, 2015

Administrative Monetary Penalty and Employer Compliance Highlights

On December 1, 2015, Citizenship and Immigration Canada and Employment and Social Development Canada implemented new Administrative Monetary Penalties and a stricter Employer Compliance regime. Employers that are in violation of conditions imposed on an issued work permit maybe subject to penalties that range from fines to bans depending upon the severity of the infraction.

SUMMARY AND HIGHLIGHTS FROM TELECONFERENCE - CHARTS.pdf

NOVEMBER2015-HighlightsFromAMPTeleconference.pdf

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November 12, 2015

Special Announcement

November 12 2015 - Who'sWhoLegalAnnouncement.pdf

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Immigration Update

October 20, 2015

Starting October 26, 2015, CIC is introducing a new electronic system, the Employer Portal. This process will replace the IMM 5802 Offer of Employment to a Foreign National Exempt from the Labour Market Impact Assessment form that was filed in connection with any non-LMIA work permit application. For IMM 5802 forms that have already been submitted prior to October 26, 2015, a foreign worker may rely on that form up until November 21, 2015 in connection with a work permit application. If the work permit application is not filed before November 21, 2015, a new Offer of Employment will need to be submitted to the portal. Please contact your lawyer at Guberman Garson Segal for details.

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February 18,2015

2 significant changes for Temporary Foreign Workers will come into effect on February 21, 2015. On that date the Canadian government will be implementing an employer compliance fee of $230.00 for LMIA exempt temporary foreign workers and a $100.00 supplemental fee for open work permits.

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Employer Compliance System and Fee

Effective February 21, 2015, there will be a new process in place for employers seeking to employ LMIA exempt foreign workers in Canada. Employers who are exempt from the requirement to apply for an LMIA (most commonly NAFTA professionals and Intra Company Transferees) will need to submit information about their company, an Offer of Employment form and the employer compliance fee of $230.00 to Citizenship and Immigration Canada. This fee is in addition to the $155.00 work permit fee. Both information and the fee must be submitted prior to work permit issuance.

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New Fee for Open Work Permit Applicants

Additionally, individuals seeking open work permits, such as post-graduate work permits and spousal work permits, will be required to pay a supplemental $100.00 fee at the same time as the $155.00 work permit fee.

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Citizenship and Immigration Canada Rationale for these Fees and Consequences of Non-Compliance

CIC advises that the fees are being collected to offset the cost of "introducing robust employer compliance activities featuring inspections of thousands of employers". Should an inspection find that an employer is non-compliant, the employer could face fines, a ban from hiring temporary foreign workers and criminal investigation and prosecution.

April 13, 2015

Joel Guberman and Heather Segal address privilege at the border in the

Canada Bar Association Practice Link

http://www.cba.org/CBA/PracticeLink/2013-12-bc/border.aspx

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February 26, 2015

Lainie Speaks About Chris Brown’s Inadmissibility Issues on E-talk

Go watch Lainie Appleby speak about Chris Brown’s inadmissibility issues on E-talk!! http://www.ctv.ca/eTalk/video.aspx?vid=558784

December 9, 2014

Summary of Express Entry

On January 1, 2015, individuals seeking to apply for permanent residence in the Canada Experience Class, Federal Skilled Worker Program or Federal Skilled Trade Program, as well as some Provincial Nominees, will be part of Citizenship and Immigration Canada's (CIC) new electronic permanent residence application management system called Express Entry. Click Download to read more.

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May 12, 2014

Guberman Garson Segal LLP is a Top 5 Immigration Law Boutique

GUBERMAN, GARSON is proud to announce that, once again this year, our law firm has been recognized by Canadian Lawyer Magazine as one of Canada's Top 5 Immigration Law Boutiques. Please see the attached for details or visit our Homepage.

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March 25, 2014

Joel Guberman talks to Pat Foran of CTV news on Inadmissibility to the U.S.

http://toronto.ctvnews.ca/video?playlistId=1.1744069

January 14, 2014

Recent Changes to Temporary Foreign Worker Process

Recent comments From immigration lawyer Lainie M. Appleby concerning changes to the LMO process

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November 11, 2013

Changes to Canadian Experience Class Applications

Citizenship and Immigration Canada has made significant changes to improve the Canadian Experience Class (CEC) so that the program continues to attract top quality candidates.

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August 12, 2013

Lainie Appleby comments on recent changes to the TFWP

Lainie M. Appleby noted that the recent changes to the federal Temporary Foreign Workers Program could dissuade many companies from considering it.

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July 30, 2013

Continuing Strike of the Professional Association of Foreign Service Officers

The Professional Association of Foreign Service Officers is still on strike. PAFSO union members responsible for processing visa applications have been walking out of offices in Canada and overseas.

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April 30, 2013

Lainie M. Appleby speaks out against the expansion of paralegal activities in Law Times News

Read the article by Yamri Taddese: "As law associations have begun welcoming them into their ranks, paralegals are yet again seeking to expand the scope of their practice in a new motion that's stirring up controversy ahead of its discussion at the Law Society of Upper Canada's annual general meeting in May."

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November 6, 2012

WHO'S WHO LEGAL 2012

With international relocation becoming an increasingly popular way for companies to explore the opportunities offered by global expansion, regulations in the area of corporate immigration are changing at a dizzying pace. Recent legislation concerned with encouraging innovation and development while maintaining economic safeguards has increased the regulatory requirements for businesses to enter the Canadian market, meaning that effective counsel from experienced lawyers is key…

Performing well, with three lawyers nominated, is Guberman Garson Segal LLP, a boutique firm providing a full range of immigration services. Its lawyers are considered "leading lights" in the field, with managing partner David Garson regarded as a "pre-eminent" practitioner for his work with a variety of industries, including engineering firms, technology companies and major retailers. Joel Guberman is rated by clients as an "honest, no-nonsense immigration lawyer" with over 25 years of experience. Heather Segal, a current director on the American Immigration Lawyers' Association board of governors, is also "widely recognized for her expertise".

July 18, 2012

Guberman Garson Segal LLP Summer 2012 Newsletter

Check out the Guberman Garson Segal LLP Summer Newsletter for important information on the recent changes to the Canadian Immigration Process.

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June 27, 2012

"Lawyer-judge feud mars refugee hearing"

Randy Hahn quoted in today's National Post. The article by Adrian Humphreys discusses an extreme example of emotions interfering with the legal process.

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May 25, 2012

"Language skills the target of Canadian citizenship reform"

Lainie Appleby is quoted in the National Post's article on the governments new process by which Canadian Citizenship applicants prove their English/French language proficiency.

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May 18, 2012

"Provincial Immigration Role Increasing"

Randy Hahn writes as a guest for The Lawyers Weekly about the provincial government's increasing role in immigration policy.

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April 2, 2012

Guberman Garson Segal LLP ranked as one of Canada's Top 5 Immigration Boutiques

Canadian Lawyer Magazine recently ranked Guberman Garson Segal LLP as one of Canada's top five business immigration law boutiques.

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December 19, 2011

"Be Warned: 'Work' a 4-letter word at the border"

Joel Guberman writes as a guest commentator for Canadian HR Reporter. In his article "Be Warned: 'Work' a 4-letter word at the border," Joel discusses the misapplication and confusion around using the word 'work' at the Canadian-US border. Be sure to read this article for important tips for crossing the border on a business trip.

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November 18, 2011

"IRS to force Canadian banks to report on U.S. customers"

Heather Segal talks to Yahoo Finance Canada about the U.S. Foreign Account Tax Compliant Act that will come into effect in 2014. Read "IRS to force Canadian banks to report on U.S. customers" for more information about the new act and its implications for those with dual U.S./Canadian citizenship.

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September 6, 2011

"Canada's Slow Processing of Foreign Work Permits Adversely Affects Employers"

David L.P. Garson talks to the Society of Human Resource Management.

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June 20, 2011

"A Practical Guide to Provincial Nominee Programs in Canadian Immigration Law"

David L.P. Garson and Randy K. Hahn release their book on Canadian Immigration programs.

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June 17, 2011

"How to Bring a Foreign Worker into Canada"

Randy K. Hahn presented at the Six Minute Employment Lawyer 2011.