Borderlines

Steven Meurrens and Deanna Okun-Nachoff
  • 5.0 (5)
  • NEWS
  • UPDATED WEEKLY

A podcast for the discussion of Canadian immigration law and policy, although we often delve into other topics. Each episode features 2-3 lawyers, academics, politicians, and stakeholders discussing current migration issues. Hosted by Steven Meurrens and Deanna Okun-Nachoff, two immigration lawyers in Vancouver, British Columbia. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

  1. 22H AGO

    #211 - Security Screening for Transnational Repression, with Retired CSIS Analyst Phil Gurski

    Steven Meurrens and Deanna Okun-Nachoff are again joined by retired CSIS analyst Phil Gurski, this time to unpack the growing issue of transnational repression in Canada. Drawing on Phil’s recent report for the Montreal Institute for Global Security, the conversation explores how foreign states monitor, intimidate, and coerce individuals on Canadian soil, often targeting diaspora communities through surveillance, threats, and pressure on family members abroad. The discussion focuses on how these activities intersect with Canadian immigration law, including: Whether transnational repression fits within existing inadmissibility categories like espionage and subversion The challenge of defining “national security” in immigration decisions The tension between protecting victims and finding them inadmissible The role of proxies, including organized crime, in carrying out foreign state objectives Why police responses often fall short when conduct doesn’t clearly meet national security thresholds Key Topics & Timestamps: 01:30 – What is transnational repression? 10:00 – Immigration law and inadmissibility challenges 26:00 – What is “national security” in law? 30:30 – When repression becomes a national security issue Further Reading: https://migsinstitute.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/Transnational-repression-in-Canada_MIGS.pdf Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    58 min

  2. MAR 31

    #210 - Would You Pass the Citizenship Test?

    In this lighter episode of Borderlines, we take a break from the usual deep dives into immigration law to tackle something every new Canadian faces: the citizenship test. We start with a quick overview of how the test works. Format, requirements, and recent procedural updates. We then put ourselves on the spot with real sample questions. What follows is a mix of correct answers, educated guesses, and a few humbling moments. Along the way, we also discuss whether the citizenship test actually measures anything meaningful, the challenges faced by applicants seeking waivers, and whether knowledge-based testing should play a role in determining who becomes Canadian. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    36 min

  3. MAR 25

    #209 - Huge Mandamus Decision by the Federal Court of Appeal

    A discussion of the Federal Court of Appeal's decision in Benison v. Canada (Royal Canadian Mounted Police External Review Committee), 2026 FCA 53. The decision opens with the following Supreme Court of Canada quote - "The common law system has always abhorred delay. In our system’s development of the courts’ supervisory role over administrative processes through mandamus, we see a crystallizing potential to compel government officers to do their duty and, in so doing, to avoid delay in administrative processes." And it really drives home that allocation of resources in of itself justify delays, open ended delays are unacceptable, significant prejudice is not required, queue jumping does not in of itself preclude mandamus, and more. Previous Borderlines podcast episodes where we discussed mandamus include episodes 57 and 117. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    17 min

  4. MAR 16

    #208 - Proving Canadian Ancestry, with Amandeep Hayer and Lisa Middlemiss

    We are joined once again by Amandeep Hayer and Lisa Middlemiss, to discuss citizenship by descent post Bill C-3 With thousands of people, particularly Americans, now exploring whether they qualify for Canadian citizenship through a distant ancestor, we discuss how the law works, how to prove eligibility, and the practical challenges involved. We also discuss the genealogy research often required to prove citizenship, archival birth records, IRCC processing issues, the interim measures, and the broader policy implications of expanding citizenship while immigration pathways tighten. 03:01 Quick recap: who qualifies for Canadian citizenship by descent under the new framework 08:27 The main challenge: proving ancestry and lineage 13:33 Situations where someone may think they qualify but actually don’t (e.g., adoption issues) 27:43 Can someone apply for a study permit or work permit if they might already be Canadian? Audience Questions: 33:14 British subjects in Canada during WWII 35:26 What happened to the interim citizenship measures from 2024 39:36 Do families need separate citizenship proof applications for each generation? 46:06 Where to start if your Canadian ancestor was born in the 1800s 48:26 Translation requirements for Quebec civil records Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    57 min

  5. MAR 12

    #207 - Mobility Rights Under the Charter

    Do Canadians have the right to travel throughout the country? A discussion of the Supreme Court of Canada decision in Taylor v. Newfoundland and Labrador, 2026 SCC 5. Topics discussed include the decision, s. 6 of the Charter, whether Canadians and permanent residents have a right to travel between provinces, how section 1 of the Charter can justify limits on rights, provincial nominee programs and post-landing mobility, misrepresentation concerns when intended province of residence changes and Bill C-12. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    17 min

  6. MAR 11

    #206 - The Importance of the Canadian Senate, with Senator Paula Simons

    In this impromptu episode, we get a first person account of how one social justice advocate made the leap from journalist to Senator. The conversation is full of insight into the role that Senate plays in protecting the democratic process -- in particular around challenging legislation such as Bill C-12, which is approaching third reading. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    38 min

  7. MAR 9

    #205 - Former CBSA Chief On Immigration Investigations & Removal Priorities

    Former CBSA Chief Christian Lane explains how CBSA immigration investigations and deportations work in Canada. Topics discussed include CBSA investigative priorities, removals, organized crime investigations, misrepresentation, Bill C-12, refugee claims, intelligence work, the political pressure shaping immigration enforcement, whether immigration enforcement agencies sometimes pursue “low-hanging fruit” when removing individuals from Canada, and agency culture. Christian Lane hosts the Team 1080 podcast, which features interviews with professionals working in public safety, law enforcement, healthcare, and military roles. 2:00 Immigration investigations 6:00 Enforcement priorities 15:05 Extortion investigations 25:03 Discretion 43:34 Why CBSA ranked last among federal agencies in employee satisfaction Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    56 min

  8. MAR 6

    #204 - Stop Bill C-12! With Sharry Aiken

    This epsiode offers insight into Professor Aiken's ongoing efforts to raise concern with Bill C-12 (the Stronger Borders legislation currently before Senate) -- both with the Canadian government, and with the UN Human Rights Committee. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    41 min
See All (221)

Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
5 Ratings

About

A podcast for the discussion of Canadian immigration law and policy, although we often delve into other topics. Each episode features 2-3 lawyers, academics, politicians, and stakeholders discussing current migration issues. Hosted by Steven Meurrens and Deanna Okun-Nachoff, two immigration lawyers in Vancouver, British Columbia. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Information

  • Creator
    Steven Meurrens and Deanna Okun-Nachoff
  • Years Active
    2016 - 2026
  • Episodes
    221
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © All rights reserved
  • Show Website
    Borderlines

You Might Also Like