Matthew McDonald, RCIC

I'm so excited for this new chapter in my Canadian immigration work. After 7 years of supporting newcomers on evenings and weekends, I am now spending my full energy on this important #cdnimm work that I care about deeply.

@AnikLeclerc @Nikola_Prevod It’s a huge tragedy. I don’t know how I will be useful in the hospital but we are looking forward to being on the ground. There’s a movement building.

@Nikola_Prevod @matthewcmcd : I know it’s outside your field but you might be able to transfer some of your skills … (I don’t know why this appeared in my feed.)

The main hospital in #Kochani, #Macedonia, is woefully understaffed. An auntie of mine was a senior nurse there. She's now retired but very ill from decades of overwork. Most of her younger ex-colleagues are now abroad. #Kocani

The SINP made some changes yesterday. Holder’s of spousal open work permits will no longer be eligible for nomination. International students who studied outside of Saskatchewan will no longer be eligible for nomination in the Saskatchewan Experience stream. Other key updates include: • End of Temporary Pause: The previously announced pause on the intake of Job Approval Forms (JAFs) has been lifted immediately. • Prioritization of Sectors: Overseas candidates will now be prioritized in the healthcare, agriculture, and skilled trades sectors. Recruitment for other sectors will focus on candidates already residing in Canada with valid temporary visas. • Sector Caps: Nominations for the accommodation, food services, retail trade, and trucking sectors are capped at 25% of total annual nominations. • Ineligible Occupations: Spas, salons, and pet care services (excluding veterinarians) are no longer eligible to recruit through the SINP. • Category Closures: The Entrepreneur, International Graduate Entrepreneur, and Farm Owner/Operator categories have been permanently closed.

📅 Happening this week! Join @CarvajalLaw and @matthewcmcd on Wednesday for the Ethics and Professionalism Issues in Representing International Students webinar. Deepen your understanding of professionalism in this unique area of immigration law. 🔗 buff.ly/412QbHO

Ottawa has added teachers’ assistants, early childhood educators, and cooks, among others, to a list of occupations prioritized in the selection of skilled immigrants for permanent residence in 2025. It also promises more CEC express entry draws. thestar.com/news/canada/ca…

🔍 Navigating the complexities of representing international students requires a deep understanding of ethical and professional standards. Join @CarvajalLaw and @matthewcmcd on March 5. 🔗 buff.ly/412QbHO

.@DesjardinsGroup study says that while Canada's population growth is slowing the government is unlikely to meet its target of 5% of the population being non-permanent residents by 2027. This means that the Liberals will either have to abandon their target, implement futher measures to restrict the number of new international students and foreign workers, or implement measures to increase the number of people of leaving.

All my life I have studied democratization and autocratization. My 1st field trip was to newly democratic Argentina. I then added autocracies to my portfolio: Cuba, Ven, etc. I think I can recognize the stages of transition to authoritarianism. Here are the boxes checked off.

Extraordinary piece by the former vice chief of the defence staff. Sobering isn’t the word. nationalpost.com/opinion/mark-n…

If your platform lets people sell Nazi t-shirts — straight up swastikas — and you don’t have an immediate comment equivalent to “fuck that, we’re not allowing it,” then, well, we know what side you’re on. thelogic.co/news/exclusive…

@matthewcmcd is back to share their knowledge with our community. Welcome back Matthew!

"That’s $612 million in additional costs to accelerate the roll-out of corner store beer and wine by 483 days, or $1.2 million per day."

Please enjoy my cartoon for Wednesday's @TorontoStar

The people who have a problem with the picture on the left, do not have a problem with the picture on the right.

Day one… (let the gaslighting begin)

Please enjoy my cartoon for Thursday's @TorontoStar

A minister once warned that without it, the rich would live “behind ever-higher fences using private healthcare & airplanes because the public sphere is so degraded and the wrath of the vast majority of their lesser privileged compatriots burns so hot” Maybe it was someone else

Canada’s Immigration Exodus Kicks Off With Record Non Permanent Resident Outflows betterdwelling.com/canadas-immigr…

1/ This figure the @globeandmail likes to trot out about of 19% of student visa holders don't attend school is ABSOLUTE BULLSHIT. It's a complete misreading of a back-of-the-envelope calculation. Let me explain. @globeandmail theglobeandmail.com/politics/artic…

Another mean-spirited #cdnimm update