CLE Online

Welcome and Introduction

Peter D. Larlee — Larlee Rosenberg, Vancouver
Zool K.B. Suleman — Suleman & Company, Vancouver

Business Immigration: The Past, Present, and the Future

• backstory: what really happened with the Investor Immigrant Program? HINT: don’t believe everything you’ve heard in the media…
• present: what options are available to prospective business immigrants today? TIPS: innovative ways to combine temporary and permanent resident options
• is the Start-up Entrepreneur Program viable?: how VC’s and Angel Groups work; why the start-up program is a non-starter
• future: what are the likely scenarios for business immigration in the future

Jeffrey S. Lowe — Lowe & Company, Vancouver
Dominic Therrien — Miller Thomson LLP, Vancouver

Global Business Immigration Options

As Canada limits business immigration options, other countries in the world are opening their doors with new programs.

• what are some of the choices and how do you advise your client
• what are the ethical issues of dealing with “intermediaries”
• state of the EB5 program
• residence and citizenship by investment programs: Malta, Cyprus, Portugal, and Caribbean

K. David Andersson — Cascadia Cross-Border Law, Bellingham, Washington
Kenneth Ing — Head Legal Counsel, Henley & Partners Canada Ltd., Vancouver

Networking Break

Port of Entry—What are my Rights

• what rights does the business traveler have at the border—business visitors, intercorporate transferees, workers on international programs, and more
• what about the lawyers who assist them—what are the ethical duties

Marvin L. Klassen — Marvin L. Klassen, Barrister & Solicitor, Port Coquitlam

Networking Lunch

Super Size or Right Size?

The recent media frenzy and resulting changes over the temporary foreign worker program raises serious issues about whether the program has grown too large or needs to be reduced. The implications for business employers are stricter qualifying rules and compliance audits. For the workers the implications can be a legal limbo and removal from Canada. How do you deal with conflicts between employer and employee interests?

Jonathan Leebosh — Egan LLP, Vancouver

Networking Break

Citizenship Law: The Rules of Belonging

Recent changes to the Citizenship Act require physical presence and longer presence in Canada. The Minister has more rights of revocation and testing will be more stringent.

• what are the implications for citizenship applicants who travel on business or work outside Canada
• what are the options for those who are denied

Chantal Desloges — Chantal Desloges Professional Corporation, Toronto
Peter Edelmann — Edelmann & Company, Vancouver
Vivian Yuen — Larlee Rosenberg, Vancouver

Privacy Rights: Are They Listening

With increased globalization, business owners and workers enter and exit Canada frequently. 

• what strategies can be employed to safeguard valued/confidential business data from prying eyes at the border
• when can computers and electronic devices be searched at the Canadian Border

Josh Paterson — Executive Director, BC Civil Liberties Association, Vancouver
Marilyn Sandford — Ritchie Sandford, Vancouver

Closing Questions, Comments, and Discussion

Peter D. Larlee — Larlee Rosenberg, Vancouver
Zool K.B. Suleman — Suleman & Company, Vancouver