Borderlines

Steven Meurrens and Deanna Okun-Nachoff
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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. 18H AGO

    #199 - Is Canada’s Population Decline Good for the Economy?

    Canada is deliberately slowing, and possibly reversing, its population growth. But what does that actually mean for the economy? We are joined by economist Mikuel Scutterat for a wide-ranging and candid conversation about Canada’s immigration reset, GDP per capita, shrinking rental markets, Express Entry category draws, francophone targets, regional programs, and the political risks of a rapidly changing system, winners and losers when immigration rises or falls, why focusing on “essential workers” may be bad long-term policy and social cohesion. 03:06 – Does population size actually matter for prosperity? 10:45 – Falling rents and distributional effects 15:01 – Human capital vs labour shortages 20:39 – Are French targets distorting outcomes? Listener Questions 32:55 – Economics of mass regularization 39:02 – Regional immigration targets 43:39 – Country caps 48:57 – Underemployment Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    54 min

  2. FEB 3

    #198 - How Decisions Get Written, with Justice Peter Edelmann

    In this audio-only reunion episode, former Borderlines Podcast host Peter Edelman joins to discuss life on the British Columbia Court of Appeal. Topics discussed include how decisions get made and written, the role of counsel in shaping outcomes, pressures facing Canada’s judicial review system, judicial collegiality and dissenting reasons, immigration backlogs, adversarial justice, and the emotional weight of judging. 2:16 – Learning curve: trial court vs appellate court 6:31 – Does good lawyering really matter in judicial review? 19:28 – Precision in judgments & unintended interpretations 23:40 – Dissents, concurrences & shaping the law 27:17 – Should judges clarify controversial rulings later? 33:06 – Rethinking adversarial justice 49:06 – Is it easier to judge or be judged? 55:07 – Does being a judge change personal decision-making? https://youtu.be/nJ8kM4zJLdU?si=5L4nmGJz5eaKbXAm Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    1h 8m

  3. JAN 26

    #197 - New World Order

    We discuss possible immigration implications of Mark Carney’s recent speech at the World Economic Forum in Davos. Topics discussed include trade agreements, mobility rights, national security screening, CUSMA, and the growing tension between rule-based systems and political reality. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    30 min

  4. JAN 19

    #196 - Canada’s Healthcare Crisis & Immigration, with Dr. Brian Day

    Canada is increasingly turning to immigration to address a growing healthcare shortage, but is the system actually built to absorb more doctors? Steven Meurrens and Deanna Okun-Nachoff are joined by Dr. Brian Day (orthopedic surgeon and past president of the Canadian Medical Association) to unpack how policy decisions created today’s physician and nursing shortages, why hospitals ration care under fixed budgets, and what that means for internationally trained doctors trying to build careers in Canada. Topics discussed include the decline of family medicine, ER overcrowding, delayed diagnosis and higher long-term costs, Canadians seeking faster care abroad, credential recognition, new pathways for physicians, medical inadmissibility and more. Follow Dr. Brian Day on X/Twitter: @drbrianday Timestamps 02:53 — 1990s cuts 10:29 — “Rationing” healthcare 22:21 — Canadians going abroad for treatment 28:10 — Immigration meets healthcare Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    52 min

  5. JAN 12

    #195 - 2026 Predictions for Canadian Immigration Law

    The first Borderlines episode of 2026 is our annual recap + predictions roundtable with Ottawa immigration lawyer Tamara Mosher-Kuczer. We look back at what actually happened in 2025, what surprised us most, and what 2026 might bring. Timestamps / Chapters 0:52 Looking back: how many predictions were right last year? 14:40 2026 predictions 39:46 Listener question: What will happen with caregivers? 42:28 Listener prediction: Turning asylum into a temporary pathway 46:11 Listener question: Trades vs. Francophones 52:12 Listner question: LMIA exemptions / significant benefit work permits—any expansion? 57:56 Will Canada's population increase or decrease in 2026? Subscribe for weekly immigration law breakdowns and policy updates, and tell us: What’s your boldest 2026 immigration prediction? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    1h 2m

  6. 12/22/2025

    #194 - Are You Now a Canadian

    Amandeep Hayer and Lisa Middlemiss, co-authors of the book Canadian Citizenship: What Practitioners Need to Know, discuss citizenship by descent now that Bill C-3 is in force. Topics discussed include what changed under Bill C-3, citizienship by descent, how far citizenship can be traced back, proving citizenship without provincial birth certificates, interim measures vs. proof of citizenship applications, processing times, urgent requests, Canadians without proof who can’t get work permits or SINs, why adoptees may still be treated differently, fraud concerns, and how many Americans may now be Canadian citizens. We also answer live listener questions and comments, including whether Canada will now have to many new Canadians, a possible TR → PR pathway, work permit options for foreign doctors, slow processing times, Bill C-12 and Canadian immigration law predictions for 2026. Amandeep's blog post on Bill C-3 can be found here - https://hayerlawoffice.ca/2025/11/03/no-bill-c-3-does-not-create-a-new-second-generation/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    1 hr

  7. 12/16/2025

    #193 - Evacuate

    We return to Afghanistan, and to the unfinished work Canada left behind. Following our recent conversation with retired Canadian Forces member Cory Moore, we are joined by three guests from Aman Lara, a Canadian registered charity working on refugee extraction, resettlement and protection. Jon Feltham, Executive Director of Aman Lara and retired Canadian Armed Forces member Julia Aitken, Program & Communications Director at Aman Lara Denis Thompson, Major-General (Ret’d), former commander of NATO Task Force Kandahar We examine Canada’s response to Afghans who worked alongside Canadian and NATO forces, through the lens of recent Federal Court decisions that highlight how many individuals were left behind after the fall of Kabul in 2021. We discuss: The reality faced by Afghan interpreters, contractors, and families still in hiding How Canada’s approach relied on “process without a plan” The bureaucratic gaps between DND, Global Affairs, and IRCC How veterans became de facto evacuation coordinators during the 2021 crisis How Ukraine’s uncapped emergency program contrasted so sharply with Afghanistan What Aman Lara has accomplished (over 7,000 evacuations and 5,800 resettlements) and why the work is far from over 🔗 Aman Lara is a registered Canadian charity. If you’re looking for a meaningful way to support refugee protection and resettlement efforts, we’ve included a donation link here - https://www.canadahelps.org/en/dn/130744 🎧 Subscribe for in-depth conversations on Canadian immigration law, policy, and the human consequences behind the headlines. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    1h 5m

  8. 12/10/2025

    #192 - Preventing Study Permit Refusals

    Steven and Deanna break down the rapidly shifting landscape of Canadian study permits amid IRCC’s newly released 2026 international student caps. With approval rates falling sharply in 2024–2025 and IRCC committing to fixed national intake numbers, study permits are now effectively being graded on a curve, making strong applications more critical than ever. We discuss the most common refusal grounds they see in practice, including: ▸ Weak or incoherent study plans Why study plans are now a top refusal ground, what officers look for, how jurisprudence has evolved, and what applicants must show to demonstrate a logical academic and career trajectory—even for minors. ▸ Dual intent, PGWP confusion, and long-term plans How to candidly discuss the possibility of a PGWP without triggering a refusal, and how applicants can articulate return-home benefits while acknowledging genuine motivations. ▸ Financial sufficiency and unexplained deposits Why bank statements are scrutinized more heavily than ever, how to document source-of-funds properly, and why even technical checklist omissions can sink an otherwise strong application. ▸ Family ties and home-country incentives How IRCC evaluates “significant family ties” in and outside Canada, and why applicants should proactively explain their home-country obligations to address concerns about leaving Canada at the end of their stay. ▸ Underdocumented travel history and other overlooked factors Simple omissions that lead to refusals—such as failing to include exit/entry stamps, prior visas, or proof of assets. Whether you are an international student, an immigration professional, or someone following Canadian immigration reform, this episode offers practical guidance on how to build a more compelling study permit application in a challenging and tightening system. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    28 min
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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
    209
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © All rights reserved
  • Show Website
    Borderlines

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