The Immigrant Project

In this episode Awabeen’s Immigrant Project, we’re joined by Awabeen Danish, a recent immigrant to Canada from Pakistan, whose perspective on success defies conventional thinking. Awabeen challenges traditional emphasis on academic degrees, particularly the MBA and instead champions talent, luck, hard work, and emotional intelligence as the real drivers of growth.

Through candid storytelling, Awabeen shares how his tempera...

In this episode, Cassandra Fultz, founder of Doherty Fultz Immigration, explores how Canada’s immigration landscape has dramatically changed—especially in the wake of COVID and recent election cycles in both the U.S. and Canada.

We cover:

• Why the Federal Investor Program was shut down—and how Quebec is the lone holdout
• The truth behind job offer fraud and the removal of LMIA points from Express Entry
• How international stu...

Immigration lawyer Daniel Kingwell joins us on Episode 31 of The Immigrant Project to talk about the tough cases—misrepresentation, inadmissibility, federal court, and more. Daniel also breaks down what went wrong with Canada’s immigration policy, why predictability matters, and how systemic issues—not immigrants—are to blame for the housing crisis. Watch this for a deep dive into what really happens behind the scenes in immigratio...

In our 30th and one-year special episode, Girish and Aastha sit down with Robert Israel Blanshay, an immigration lawyer with 32 years of experience navigating both the peculiar and standard cases within the Canadian immigration system. From the highs and lows of navigating the process of moving to Canada to stories of individuals navigating through pitfalls and exploiting the system, Robert offers an eye-opening discussion filled w...

In this episode of The Immigrant Project, hosts Girish and Aastha sit down with Ramiz Essani, a digital marketing professional at York University, to discuss the power of networking, personal branding, and job hunting strategies for international students in Canada.

Raamiz shares his immigration journey, how he landed a full-time job before graduation, and the importance of following up with recruiters. He provides actionable tips o...

In this insightful episode of The Immigrant Project, we sit down with Ravi Jain, a highly accomplished immigration lawyer and founder of Jain Immigration Law. With an impressive career spanning over 20 years, Ravi has held leadership roles, including Past Co-President of the Canadian Immigration Lawyers Association and Former National Chair of the Canadian Bar Association’s Immigration Section. He has been recognized as Lawyer of t...

Canada is tightening its immigration policies, making it harder for international students and temporary residents to stay in the country. Immigration lawyer Stephen Green of Green and Spiegel joins the conversation to break down the government’s new stance, the impact on international students, and the challenges temporary foreign residents face. We discuss Canada’s evolving immigration policies, public sentiment, and the risks of...

Join us for an in-depth conversation with Shoshana T. Green, Partner, Green and Spiegel and legal expert in immigration law, as we delve into some of the most pressing topics shaping Canadian immigration today.

We discuss the Prime Minister’s recent statement on systemic exploitation of immigration processes, examining the balance of responsibility between the federal government and “bad actors.” Shoshana also shares her insights on...

In this episode of The Immigrant Project, we once again sit down with Jane Katkova, a seasoned immigration consultant and advocate, to discuss the systemic failures in Canada’s immigration system. 
From the struggles of moving to Canada to myths about easily seeking refugee status, Jane sheds light on: 
• Why Canada’s immigration system is broken. 
• The emotional and financial toll on immigrants. 
• The truth behin...

In this episode of The Immigrant Project, we welcome Jane Katkova, founder of Jane Katkova & Associates and a leading voice in Canadian immigration consultancy. Jane shares her candid views on the challenges facing Canada’s immigration system, from massive application backlogs to the hostile climate towards international students and refugees.

We dive deep into:

•The root causes of the current immigration crisis in Canada.

•The ec...

In this episode of The Immigrant Project, we dive deep into the realities of immigration law with Randolf Hahn, Partner at Garcon Immigration Law. Randy sheds light on the spike in inquiries about moving to Canada during pivotal political moments in the US and unpacks systemic challenges within Canada’s immigration framework.

From the exploitation of international students to labor market fraud, Randy explains how bad actors undermi...

This week, we’re recording from Jody Steinhauer’s office, the powerhouse behind Bargains Group and a trailblazer in Canadian entrepreneurship. As President and Chief Bargain Officer, Jody has turned her vision of helping others into a multi-million-dollar enterprise that empowers businesses and not-for-profits alike.

In this episode, Jody opens up about:

•Her entrepreneurial journey, from her apartment to nationwide success...

In this episode, we sit down with Steven Tress, an immigration lawyer, to delve into the complexities of Canada’s immigration policies, the points-based Permanent Residency (PR) system, and what aspiring immigrants need to know.

We start by discussing the sentiment around immigration and unemployment, questioning whether policy changes are truly addressing public concerns. Steven shares insights into the points-based system, explain...

In this episode, we sit down with Joel, an experienced immigration lawyer with over 40 years of practice in U.S. and Canadian immigration law. He has spent his career helping a diverse range of clients, from senior executives to individuals and large multinational organizations, navigate the complex rules and processes related to cross-border business. Joel's deep expertise allows him to provide tailored advice that addresses ...

In this episode, we sit down with Nida, a marketing professional with an engineering background, to explore her unique career journey and her experiences as an entrepreneur in Canada. Nida shares the story of what inspired her transition into marketing, the motivation behind her move to Canada, and her insights into the country’s entrepreneurial landscape.

Listeners will gain valuable tips for new immigrants looking to start their o...

In this powerful episode of The Immigrant Project, we welcome Soofia Mahmood, a passionate social worker and mom who has called Canada home for the past nine years. Soofia opens up about her transformative journey, sharing how her perspective has evolved since arriving as an immigrant. She touches on critical topics like mental health, the social behaviors that shape individual experiences, and the economic changes Canada has seen ...

In this insightful episode of The Immigrant Project, we sit down with Anna Sotnykova, an expert in navigating the complex world of entrepreneurship, scholarships, and government grants in Canada. Anna shares practical advice on how immigrants can fund their education, secure jobs, and build an international network in cities like Toronto, Montreal, Calgary, and Vancouver. We also dive deep into housing affordability and real financ...

Dreaming of living in Canada permanently? The Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) could be your fast track to Canadian Permanent Residency. In this video, we break down everything you need to know about PNP:

What is PNP? Understand the basics of this powerful immigration program and how it works.
Eligibility: Learn the key criteria and find out if you qualify for PNP.
Step-by-Step Process: We'll guide you through...

In this insightful episode, we chat with Shanel, a dynamic professional who has thrived in Canada’s hospitality & events industry for over 9 years and is working her way up the marketing ladder. Having worked at the Rec Room and the CN Tower, Shanel has hosted numerous corporate events, gaining hands-on experience in the fundamentals of event planning and building strong connections with a diverse group of people. She shares ho...