Borderlines

Steven Meurrens and Deanna Okun-Nachoff
  • 5.0 (8)
  • News
  • Biweekly

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. 3d ago

    #238 - Canada's 2027 Immigration Levels Plan

    Canada's 2027–2029 Immigration Levels Plan sets a target of 380,000 permanent residents in 2027. But when you include the government's additional "one-time initiative" and "time-limited measures", that number could reach 662,000. In this episode of Borderlines, immigration lawyers Steven Meurrens and Deanna Okun-Nachoff break down Budget 2026, the new Immigration Levels Plan, and what the government's announcements actually mean for Canadian immigration. We discuss: 380,000 vs. 662,000: Why the government's headline immigration targets don't tell the whole story. 200,000 additional permanent residence spaces: Who benefits from the new time-limited measures, including applicants under the Start-Up Visa Program, caregiver programs, the Agri-Food Pilot, provincial nominee programs, and humanitarian pathways. Immigration backlogs: Whether the government can finally eliminate years-long processing delays for humanitarian and compassionate applicants, Hong Kong applicants, caregivers, and others. Express Entry and Francophone immigration: Why increasing French-language immigration targets could make permanent residence increasingly difficult for other applicants. Temporary residents: Why Canada can significantly increase permanent resident admissions while keeping the number of new arrivals relatively low. Federal Court and security screening: What new federal funding could mean for judicial review applications. 2025 immigration statistics: Surprising trends in the countries sending the most international students, foreign workers, economic immigrants, and refugees to Canada. Government transparency: Whether presenting immigration admissions through separate initiatives undermines public confidence in Canada's immigration system. Chapters 02:06 – 380,000 vs. 662,000 permanent residents 05:32 – Why the government separates immigration targets 08:40 – Transparency and public confidence 13:52 – Express Entry and Francophone immigration 20:24 – Federal Court funding and security screening 25:12 – The 2026 Report to Parliament on Immigration 41:30 – Live audience questions #CanadianImmigration #ImmigrationLevelsPlan #Budget2026 #ExpressEntry #IRCC #BorderlinesPodcast Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

  2. Oct 26

    #237 - Alberta Votes to Restrict Immigration: What Happens Next?

    Alberta has voted on a series of controversial referendum questions concerning immigration, healthcare, education, and provincial autonomy. What do the results tell us about public attitudes toward immigration, and what could they mean for the future of Canadian immigration policy? In this episode of Borderlines, immigration lawyers Steven Meurrens and Deanna Okun-Nachoff are joined by Mark Holthe, an Albertan immigration lawyer and founder of the Canadian Immigration Institute, to discuss Alberta's referendum results and their potential implications. We examine the five immigration-related referendum questions, including proposals to give Alberta greater control over immigration, restrict access to publicly funded healthcare and education, introduce residency requirements for temporary residents before they can access social services, charge additional fees to foreign nationals for education and health care, and require proof of Canadian citizenship to vote in provincial elections. We also discuss: Why Alberta held the referendum and what the results reveal about Premier Danielle Smith's immigration agenda. Whether Albertans actually want less immigration or simply greater provincial control over immigration selection. The tensions between federal immigration policies and provincial responsibility for healthcare, education, and social services. Whether temporary foreign workers and international students should pay additional fees to access public services. The potential consequences of a 12-month waiting period for healthcare and other provincial benefits. How immigration restrictions could affect Alberta employers and labour shortages. The federal government's efforts to reduce Canada's temporary resident population. The implications of new citizenship documentation requirements for voting. What the referendum means for federal-provincial relations and the future of immigration in Canada. Throughout the discussion, we consider whether Alberta's referendum represents a significant shift in public attitudes toward immigration or whether the relatively close results suggest a more divided electorate than the political rhetoric might indicate. Guests: Mark Holthe – Canadian immigration lawyer and founder of the Canadian Immigration Institute. #CanadianImmigration #Alberta #ImmigrationPolicy #DanielleSmith Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

  3. Oct 20

    #236 - Canada's Biggest Express Entry Changes in Years: New CRS Points, Job Offers Without LMIAs

    Canada has announced major changes to Express Entry, introducing new Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) points for Canadian work experience and job offers in designated high-wage occupations. In 2025, the federal government eliminated CRS points for qualifying job offers. Previously, these points generally required employers to demonstrate that they would pay the prevailing wage and that hiring a foreign worker would have a positive or neutral impact on the Canadian labour market. Now, IRCC is bringing back job offer points, but without requiring a Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) or proof that the employer will pay the prevailing wage. The changes raise important questions about the government's immigration priorities, the potential for fraud and wage suppression, and whether aapplicants overseas could gain an advantage over temporary residents already working in Canada. In this episode of Borderlines, Steven Meurrens and Deanna Okun-Nachoff are joined by Kubeir Kamal to explain how the new points system works, who stands to benefit, and what the changes could mean for Canadian workers, international graduates, and prospective immigrants both inside and outside Canada. Timestamps 01:07 – Minister Diab hints at increasing immigration levels 06:20 – The new Express Entry Labour Market Integration points 12:06 – Kubeir joins to clarify the new rules 15:02 – Job offers without LMIAs: what will IRCC verify? 17:00 – Does removing LMIA requirements increase fraud risks? 18:26 – How to update Express Entry profiles using IRCC's LMIA instructions 19:57 – Could the changes suppress Canadian wages? 21:21 – Why applicants overseas could gain an advantage 26:30 – Why choosing the correct NOC code matters more than ever 29:11 – Predictions for Express Entry CRS cutoffs 32:19 – Are Canadian workers and international graduates being disadvantaged? 44:14 – Viewer questions: Will French-language bonus points disappear? 45:40 – Will IRCC eliminate spousal CRS points? 47:23 – Could Express Entry cutoffs reach 540, 560 or higher? 48:46 – Why permanent residence may become easier than extending a work permit 53:28 – Employer documentation and procedural fairness concerns1:02:59 – Who will be hurt most by the new CRS system? 1:04:15 – Is learning French still the best strategy? 1:05:34 – Predictions for Canada's next Immigration Levels Plan 1:07:00 – Future Express Entry categories, including H-1B workers 1:08:41 – Can IRCC handle verifying job offers without Service Canada? 1:09:56 – Will these changes increase permanent residence processing times? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

  4. Oct 13

    #235 - IRGC Conscripts Face Deportation. A Conservative MP Has a Solution

    Canada designated Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) as a terrorist organization in 2024. But what happens to people who were forced to serve in the IRGC through mandatory military conscription, committed no crimes, and later immigrated to Canada? In this episode of Borderlines, immigration lawyers Steven Meurrens and Deanna Okun-Nachoff are joined by Conservative Member of Parliament Garnett Genuis to discuss the growing immigration crisis facing former IRGC conscripts and their families. In 2023, Genuis introduced Bill C-350, which proposed amending Canada's Immigration and Refugee Protection Act to distinguish between individuals who voluntarily joined terrorist organizations and those who were forcibly conscripted. The proposed amendment would protect individuals who completed only their mandatory service, did not remain voluntarily, and did not participate in terrorism, espionage, or subversion. Despite the subsequent designation of the IRGC as a terrorist organization, this proposed legislative solution was never adopted. The discussion explores why the government has not acted, the consequences of Canada's current inadmissibility framework, the limitations of judicial review and humanitarian relief, and what affected individuals can do to advocate for legislative reform. Topics include: Why Canada designated the IRGC as a terrorist organization What Bill C-350 proposed and why it never became law How IRPA section 34(1)(f) affects former conscripts Why mandatory military service can result in immigration inadmissibility The impact on spouses, families, and Iranian dissidents Whether constitutional challenges or the Supreme Court's decision in Mason could change the law The role of Parliament, IRCC, and CBSA How Canadians can advocate for a legislative solution Timestamps 00:00 – Introduction: MP Garnett Genuis and the IRGC conscription issue 06:29 – Bill C-350: The proposed legislative solution for forced conscripts 10:31 – Why hasn't the government adopted the proposed amendment? 15:34 – The legal challenges and limitations of case-by-case discretion 29:51 – Public advocacy and the prospects for legislative change 38:43 – Humanitarian relief, judicial review, and litigation 49:28 – What affected individuals can do to push for reform Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

  5. Oct 6

    #234 - Changes Are Coming to Canadian Immigration, with Kubeir Kamal

    Canadian immigration may be entering another period of major change. Kubeir Kamal joins Steven Meurrens and Deanna Okun-Nachoff to discuss what could be coming next for Express Entry, whether immigration levels may begin increasing again, the future of French-language draws, changes to provincial nominee programs, and why predicting Canadian immigration policy has become so difficult. We also discuss possible changes to the Express Entry points system, whether draws could be paused while a new system is implemented, where CRS scores may be headed, Ontario's revamped immigration program, whether Canada should bring back an investor immigration program, and whether closer integration with the European Union could create new immigration opportunities. Finally, we discuss increasingly unpredictable IRCC decisions, the role of automation and AI in immigration processing, and whether pressure to reduce immigration numbers may be affecting decision-making. TIMESTAMPS 03:28 – Will Canada start increasing immigration again? 06:05 – Can we trust Canada's immigration numbers? 10:10 – Major Express Entry changes are coming 15:45 – French-language points and PNP nominations 19:51 – Do the Conservatives or NDP have a coherent immigration plan? 23:25 – Doug Ford, skilled workers and Canada's immigration debate 25:53 – Will French-language draws continue in 2027? 31:10 – Will security screening delays finally improve? 34:22 – Where are CRS scores headed? 39:48 – Should Canada bring back an investor immigration program? 45:12 – Predictions for immigration changes before the end of 2026 48:11 – What's happening with increasingly strange IRCC refusals? 55:50 – What to expect from the final months of 2026 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

  6. Sep 29

    #233 - China, Espionage and Canadian Immigration Law: How Far Is Too Far?, with Joanna Chiu

    How should Canada respond to concerns about Chinese espionage and foreign interference without treating every connection to China as a national security threat? Joanna Chiu, journalist, author of China Unbound: A New World Disorder and founder of Nüora Global Advisors, joins the Borderlines Podcast to discuss how the Chinese Communist Party operates at home and abroad, and what that means for Canadian immigration law. We discuss the United Front Work Department, the Overseas Chinese Affairs Office, Article 7 of China’s National Intelligence Law, foreign interference, overseas “police stations,” Chinese Communist Party membership, and the increasingly difficult security screening faced by Chinese visa and immigration applicants. Joanna also explains why understanding the Chinese-language sources, the structure of Chinese organizations and the realities of how Chinese laws operate in practice is essential when assessing allegations of espionage or foreign interference. We also discuss whether Canadian immigration authorities risk going too far when the possibility that someone could someday be compelled to cooperate with Chinese authorities becomes a basis for finding them inadmissible to Canada. Timestamps 06:02 – What is China’s United Front and what does it actually do? 19:40 – Article 7 of China’s National Intelligence Law: Does every Chinese citizen have to spy? 27:58 – Foreign interference, protests and the risks of profiling Chinese Canadians 32:54 – Is Canada going too far in immigration security screening? 43:10 – Elections, influence campaigns and China’s alleged overseas “police stations” Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

  7. Sep 22

    #232 - Firing Foreign Workers: Immigration Status, Severance & Employment Law

    What happens when a foreign worker loses their authorization to work in Canada? Can an employer put them on unpaid leave? Lay them off? Terminate them? And what happens to severance when a worker’s immigration status makes it difficult, or impossible, to find another job? Employment lawyer Erin Brandt returns to Borderlines to discuss the increasingly important intersection between Canadian immigration and employment law. We discuss: • The difference between termination, temporary layoffs and unpaid leave • What employers should do when a work permit extension is refused • Employees vs. independent and dependent contractors • Employment Standards Act vs. common-law severance • Whether being on a closed work permit can increase severance • Fixed-term employment contracts and immigration-related job offers • Whether employers have to support work permit extensions • Employer questions about immigration processing and security screening • Rescinding job offers when a worker cannot obtain authorization to work in Canada We also discuss why immigration lawyers and employment lawyers increasingly need to understand each other’s areas of practice, and why losing immigration status does not necessarily mean that an employee loses their employment-law rights. Erin Brandt is an employment lawyer in British Columbia. Like and subscribe for more discussions about Canadian immigration law and policy Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

  8. Sep 14

    #231 - Trump, the Canada–U.S. Border and the Future of U.S. Immigration, with Andrew Hayes

    What has actually changed at the Canada–U.S. border under the second Trump administration, and what is just noise? U.S. immigration lawyer Andrew Hayes joins to discuss the state of U.S. immigration law and what it means for Canadians travelling, working and doing business in the United States. In brief, while Canadian tourism to the United States is down, an increased number of Canadian citizens and permanent residents are moving to America. Topics include whether Canadians should be worried about travelling to the United States, detention and expedited removal at the border, the impact of the Trump administration’s immigration policies, the future of CUSMA/USMCA and what its collapse could mean for TN status, E-1 and E-2 visas, U.S. green card quotas and the lengthy waits faced by Indian-born applicants, travel restrictions and the difficulties facing some Iranian-born Canadian citizens, IRGC service and U.S. inadmissibility, the constitutional battle over birthright citizenship and the growing opportunities for Canadian skilled tradespeople in the United States. We also discuss the broader tension at the heart of U.S. immigration policy: restricting immigration and strengthening enforcement while continuing to attract the workers, investors and entrepreneurs that the U.S. economy needs. Andrew Hayes is a U.S. immigration lawyer based in Vancouver whose practice focuses on cross-border immigration, trade and travel. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

See All (248)

Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
8 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
    248
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © All rights reserved
  • Show Website
    Borderlines

You Might Also Like