Foreign Workers and Crossing Borders: Leveraging Immigration Solutions for the Workplace

Session

DATE TIME SPEAKER
Wednesday, January 28, 2009 10:45 AM - 11:45 AM Evelyn Ackah, Partner, FRASER MILNER CASGRAIN LLP

DESCRIPTION:


Business immigration has become a significant requirement in building a company’s human resources. Whether you’re moving existing employees across borders or recruiting senior executives from around the world, this session will provide you with strategies for better managing the immigration process. Study the most relevant, up-to-date Canadian and U.S. immigration laws. Learn to source much-needed talent from abroad. Discover ways you can support your travelling employees and their families.

By providing practical and effective strategies and tips for managing the immigration process, whether this is handled in-house or by an external provider, you will learn how to incorporate the immigration process into offer letters, making employment contingent on obtaining the necessary legal authority. This includes possible claw-backs of legal and other costs when supporting the immigration application of temporary workers and providing key support to employees and their family members once they arrive. The session will also discuss timing, costs and strategies for expediting applications.

LEARNING OBJECTIVES:
  • Find out how to identify which types of skilled workers can more easily enter the Canadian workforce
  • See how specific recruitment efforts can enhance immigration applications
  • Learn ways to successfully prepare Citizenship and Immigration Canada work permits and Service Canada Labour Market Opinion applications
  • Discover strategies for utilizing NAFTA and GATS in the immigration process
  • Gain greater awareness of immigration compliance issues and risks for employers and employees

ABOUT THE SPEAKER:


Evelyn Ackah is a Partner with Fraser Milner Casgrain’s Business Immigration Law group where she focuses exclusively in the area of Canadian and US Business immigration law. She provides her expertise to corporate clients in the development and implementation of immigration strategies to secure desired business objectives. Evelyn is also a member of the firm’s Employment and Labour group, and provides strategic advice to clients on immigration matters involving employee mobility and relocation.

Evelyn assists multinational corporations with Canadian and US immigration and citizenship law, establishment of new businesses and cross-border business travel, in order to facilitate employment, business development or foreign investment. She regularly provides written and oral submissions to embassies, high commissions and consulates throughout Canada, the US and visa posts throughout the world. In addition, she prepares and submits immigration applications pursuant to NAFTA, GATS and the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act.  Evelyn also counsels clients on related issues involving personal tax, customs, social security, social insurance, health insurance and passports. She has assisted with the preparation of applications for business visas and work permits for the United Kingdom, Australia, Asia and EU countries.

Evelyn helps clients understand the ever-changing immigration laws and regulations so that they can utilize practical and proactive solutions to meet their human resource needs in a timely manner. She works closely with her corporate clients to learn about their unique businesses and the challenges they face, in order to provide them with informed and effective advice.

Evelyn has provided immigration advice to large financial institutions, international corporations and global recruitment organizations over her 11 years of practice. She has contributed articles to Lawyers Weekly, the Human Resources Professionals Magazine and the Globe and Mail. She has also been featured on ROB/Workopolis TV, CTV Newnet, CP 24 and Business News Network to discuss Canadian and US immigration issues.