Peter Scarrow practiced Canadian immigration law from 1981 – 1991, opening the Taiwanese representative office for a prominent Vancouver law firm.
We discuss what practicing high net worth immigration from Taiwan and China was like in the 1980s and early 1990s, ghost consultant fraud, tax avoidance, and being a private banker vs. immigration lawyer (Peter did both).
Author: Steven Meurrens
Episode 73 – From an Investor Immigrant Practice to Canadian Human Rights Tribunal Chair, with David Thomas
David Thomas practiced immigration law from 1987 – 2014, when he was appointed Chairperson of the Canadian Human Rights Tribunal. During his career he developed a large investor clientele from South Korea, ran to be a Member of Parliament, and started a charity that delivered vitamins to North Korea.
3:00 – The start of Dave’s career practicing immigration law both at a large firm and then starting his own firm.
6:00 – Practicing immigration law in the 1990s.
13:00 – Do immigration lawyers travel less than they do now, reduced communication with IRCC and other changes in the practice.
18:00 – Things learned about the bureaucracy as the head of the Canadian Human Rights Tribunal
32:00 – Running for federal office
36:00 – Would David recommend immigration law? Is it becoming less fun?
44:00 – Starting a charity that delivered vitamins to North Korea.
51:00 – Comparing practicing immigration to the human rights tribunal.
1:02 – What the future holds.
Episode 72 – Misrepresentation
A discussion of misrepresentation, including its application, consequences, the innocent mistake defense, failing to disclose past visa refusals, the difference between insufficient evidence and misrepresentation, and going after low hanging fruit.
Episode #71 – Extending Supervisas to Five Years, with Kyle Seeback, MP
Kyle Seeback is the Member of Parliament for Dufferin – Caledon. He is the author of Bill C-242, the Reuniting Families Act.
Bill C-242 would allow a parent or grandparent who applies for a temporary resident visa as a visitor to purchase private health insurance outside Canada and to stay in Canada for a period of five years.
On June 7, 2022, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada announced that it would enact these measures through public policy. The changes will come into force on July 4, 2022.