We are already well into a new September, several steps ahead of what still features as a surreal period of the immigration law practice, as we think back on the height of the COVID-19 travel restrictions. Portals continue to proliferate, as do the questions as to how we can best guide our clients in this age of digitization and opaque web form responses. The year ahead will be an opportunity to advocate for enhanced policies and program delivery impacting international students and graduates, workers, families, and the most vulnerable. I look forward to serving you as the 2022-2023 Chair of the national CBA Immigration Law Section. I hope to take steps, in sync with my fellow Officers, Executive Members, Coordinators, and with all of you, to advance the pressing issues in immigration and citizenship law that we face.
It is my pleasure:
- To introduce you to your new Executive and Coordinators.
- To outline our priorities as an organization for the coming year.
- To let you know about opportunities to be in motion: Joining colleagues and getting involved in the national CBA Immigration Law Section.
YOUR EXECUTIVE
Please join me in extending a heartfelt thanks to Kyle Hyndman, the immediate Past Chair. Kyle has set an incredible example of driving change and tackling the most pressing challenges in our practice. He has helped encourage diversity and inclusion across our Section and pulled in new leaders. Kyle has testified in parliamentary committee on our behalf, has helped grow strong relationships with our government and ministerial colleagues and has motivated many of you to contribute to the exciting work of our Section. Kyle has set us on a positive path for those volunteering with our efforts and we look forward to its continuation.
I am pleased to introduce you to our 2022-2023 Executive! We are only as strong as our collective energies.
In addition to the formal Executive members, we are supported in our work by a number of Section Coordinators and Committees that help pave the way forward for our submissions, social media, liaison with IRCC on online portals, CPD training, national conference planning and much more.
We encourage you to keep an eye out for Working Groups being formed regularly and to contribute to written submissions whenever you can. We can only go full speed ahead with willing volunteers and your energies. It is rewarding to contribute to Working Groups that trigger change and there is no way to experience it other than signing up.
PRIORITIES FOR 2022-2023:
My priorities for the coming year will be dedicated to:
- Planning for a fully in-person National Immigration Law Conference. The 2023 CBA Immigration Law Conference will be held at The Westin in Ottawa from June 1 – 3, 2023. The Conference Planning Committee is already hard at work at planning this landmark event, which promises to bring us all together after so much physical distance that has separated us from one another. Please save the date as it will be an incredible opportunity to brush up on cutting edge practice tips and network with colleagues from coast to coast to coast.
- Ground-breaking advocacy work. We will continue to advocate for the issues that matter most to our members, including:
- Access to justice and the role of counsel in immigration processes, including the inclusion of lawyers in all new online processes from the outset.
- Raising awareness regarding processing times and proposing solutions.
- Effective regulation of immigration consultants.
- Maintaining and strengthening relationships with government, courts and tribunals.
- Navigating new technology and portals, proposing solutions to IRCC where there is room for process improvements.
- Membership Renewal. We are seeking to continue our efforts at growing our membership and diversity amongst ourselves and encouraging new leaders. As an Immigration Law Section, it is important that we stay relevant with practitioners of all walks of life, backgrounds, and practice areas. Our CBA Section is launching a new Sponsored Mentorship Program. The pilot program will match experienced leaders within the Section with new lawyers who are not currently members of the CBA.
STILL WORKING ON YOUR CPD HOURS FOR 2022?
Did you miss the CBA Immigration Law Conference in the spring? Purchase the on-demand recordings today! Learn from leading experts at the forefront of immigration practice and policymaking and earn up to 20 CPD hours.
GET INVOLVED
More than ever, we need you to get involved in the important work of the Section. We are only successful when fuelled by the dedication of our volunteers and Section members; we invite you to engage with the Section:
Please don’t hesitate to contact us with questions or to become more involved. I would gladly welcome your questions and areas you wish to contribute.
The road ahead is winding – with changing regulations and policy directives keeping us on our toes – but the good company is what keeps us moving ahead.
Sincerely,
Lisa Middlemiss
Chair, CBA Immigration Law Section