Foreword

• Author: Chantal Desloges
• Pages: 23-23

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Foreword

Inadmissibility is a subject area that strikes fear into the hearts of most practitioners,

because not only is it complex and hard to understand, but the potential consequences

for clients are severe and potentially permanent. Inadmissibility of one family mem-

ber, whether that individual is coming to Canada or not, can affect the admissibility

of the entire family unit. In short, one misstep and entire families could be deported

and/or banned from Canada, sometimes for life. Indeed, the stakes couldn’t get much

higher.

Immigration law is not only a system to assess who is permitted to enter and remain

in Canada, but also a system to assess who is prohibited from doing so. Understanding

admission is therefore only half of the equation, and without at least a baseline com-

prehension of inadmissibility, no practitioner can be considered fully competent.

Each ground of inadmissibility is a subject unto itself, with different criteria, laws,

jurisprudence, policies, and documentary requirements. Multiple exceptions, and

exceptions to the exceptions, might apply. Discretion may or may not exist, depend-

ing on the situation. Varying degrees of procedural fairness are also woven into the

process itself. Knowing how to convince an officer that your client is not inadmissible

is a crucial skill, and this skill not only incorporates the collection and disclosure of

relevant documents, but often also a great deal of persuasive advocacy. In the end,

there may be administrative, quasi-judicial, or judicial remedies available as well.

For all of the above reasons, this book is a lifeline to anyone seeking to under-

stand Canada’s immigration system. The authors, well-known subject matter experts,

have distilled an incredible amount of extremely complex information, case law, and

legislation and made it accessible to readers in a straightforward fashion. They have

done so with reference to specific examples and illustrative current events in order

to contextualize this difficult area. This book is a treasure trove of practical tips and

resources that can make the difference between being a merely competent represent-

ative and being an excellent one.

Chantal Desloges

September 2021

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