May 2016

In our modern world, falling in love with someone from a different country is becoming as common as striking up a romance with a cute next door neighbour. With the help of the internet, Skype, and (sometimes) affordable travel options, it is becoming much easier to maintain a long-distance relationship.

Long-distance love is not without difficulties. Telephone conversations must be planned around time differences.  Meeting each other’s friends and families requires an airplane and time off work.  But for those who have fallen love with a Canadian, the biggest test of the relationship occurs after the decision is made to join their partner in Canada.

April 2016

Today is my birthday.

I have turned 45, not a particularly noteworthy age. No one will adorn my lawn with pink flamingos. There are no Hallmark cards celebrating this event.

But for those wanting to come to Canada through the Express Entry system, 45 is the age at which you are no longer awarded any ‘points’ for your age.

March 2016

One of the most annoying things about the previous government was its tendency to give its legislation long, bewildering, and often oxymoronic titles. The ‘Zero Tolerance for Barbaric Cultural Practices Act’ was one of the most egregious examples, since it purported to protect women by preventing them from applying to come to Canada. 

Understandably, it is a relief to see that new government’s citizenship amendment legislation is simply called ‘An Act to amend the Citizenship Act and to make consequential amendments to another Act’.

The insanity that has become the Parent and Grandparent sponsorship program

February 2016

For the third consecutive year, the first business day of 2016 meant Canadians could once again submit sponsorship applications for their parents and grandparents.