May 27-29 2026

Manprit Aujla-Grewal

Martine Varekamp-Bos

Tammy-Lynn Romain

Tammy-Lynn Romain, Senior Policy and Program Advisor, Immigration Program Guidance, IRCC

Ian Smart

Rekha P. McNutt

Catharine Baier

Warwick Immigration Canada was founded by Catharine in 2016, and has offices in both British Columbia and Alberta.  Catharine is a Regulated Canadian Immigration Consultant (R515749) and received her master’s degree in business administration from the University of Fredericton in 2024.   In addition, Catharine is an Adjunct Professor in the Faculty of Law for the Graduate Diploma in Immigration and Citizenship Law at Queen's University.

With 30 years of paralegal experience in both the legal and business communities, Catharine's skills encompass various areas including immigration, residential real estate, corporate commercial transactions, and small claims.

Jade Calver

Ms. Calver has over a decade of experience in the Canadian immigration field. She has worked for Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada, the Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada as well as one of the country’s leading immigration law firms. She has handled hundreds of Canadian immigration cases, bringing individuals and businesses to Canada to achieve their goals. After completing her degree in Political Science with minors in Canadian Studies and French Literature at McGill University in 2012, Ms. Calver completed a graduate program in Immigration: Law, Policies and Procedures at the University of British Columbia in 2015. Jade Calver is a Regulated Immigration Consultant with the College of Immigration and Citizenship Consultants (R513992), and holds the designation of a Commissioner of Oaths for Taking Affidavits with respect to the Citizenship Act and the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act

Manprit Aujla-Grewal

Karen Howley

Marjorie Newman

James Mc Namee

Ellen O'Halloran

Suzine Racine

Steven Meurrens

Steven is a Vancouver based Canadian immigration lawyer who advises clients on all Canadian immigration and citizenship issues. He has significant experience representing corporate and individual clients in obtaining visas and permits for many business-related purposes, including, but not limited to, Labour Market Impact Assessments, intracompany transfers, international trade agreements, speciality business visits, and transitioning from temporary to permanent resident under numerous federal economic streams. His corporate clients include businesses engaged in mining, telecommunications, construction, hospitality, and technolgy start-ups.

In addition to his business immigration practice, Steven has extensive experience in family-based immigration matters. He also has an active practice assisting people who have been denied entry to Canada and to those whom have had visa applications refused. He has appeared before the Immigration and Refugee Board and the Federal Court.

Steven is the past-Chair of the Canadian Bar Association of British Columbia’s Immigration Subsection. He is a published columnist, a regular panelist at immigration law conferences, an instructor at the University of British Columbia’s Certificate in Immigration Laws, Policies and Procedures, the author of a very widely read blog on Canadian immigration law and the creator of an immigration podcast.

Hannah Lindy

Aireen Luney

Aireen Luney is the Manager, Program Development and Promotion in the Immigration Programs Branch. She leads the strategic planning, operational policy and program development for the BC PNP. Her portfolio also includes managing the marketing & outreach and engaging with stakeholders.

Prior to joining the Immigration Programs Branch (BC PNP), Aireen had extensive experience in all aspects of human resource management with the BC Public Service Agency. She has a Bachelor of Arts from University of Victoria and speaks four languages.

Neera Agnihotri

Born to a hard working immigrant family, Neera Agnihotri knows first-hand the challenges that we can face when entering a new community, let alone a new country to live, work or visit. Her personal experience is the driving force behind her passion to help others complete their venture into new land, with as much ease as possible Prior to attining her Immigration Practitioner Licence in 2006, Neera was immersed in the Travel and Tourism industry. Her hard work ethic and professionalism landed her a job on only her third day of practicum with BTI International, where she worked for many years. Neera was praised for her incredible focus and was considered an asset to their firm. But, being an ambitious female entrepreneur and driven young mother motivated her to take her career to the next level. She then attained her CSIC License and started her own firm

Since then she has been providing her clients with honest, efficient and transparent immigration services

There is a terrible stigma attached to the Immigration Consultant profession due to numerous reports of people engaging themselves in unethical behavior. These unfortunate situations are another source of motivation for Neera and her team to set the standard in her industry with ethical practice at all times

Ian Ross

Katie Laughlin

Katie graduated from Simon Fraser University in 2006 with a degree in Communication. She went on to graduate from the British Columbia Institute of Technology (BCIT) with a Human Resources Management Certificate, and from the University of British Columbia (UBC) with a Certificate in Immigration: Laws, Policies and Procedures.

Before becoming a Regulated Canadian Immigration Consultant (RCIC) in 2015, Katie worked in the areas of immigration and relocation for over 6 years in both educational and corporate environments.  Previous to immigration, Katie forged a career in the world of Events Management. Whether she’s managing a large corporate sales event, or helping a family relocate to Canada, she’s passionate about getting people from A to B as smoothly as possible.

Katie is the owner of CanStart Immigration in Burnaby, British Columbia, and when she’s not elbow-deep in IRCC portals, she’s a busy mom of two who enjoys a great cup of tea!

Katie is also a member in good standing with the Canadian Association of Professional Immigration Consultants (CAPIC) and is a Mentor in the New-Licensee Mentoring Program with the College of Immigration and Citizenship Consultants (CICC).

Oleksandra Melynkova

Jonathan Joshi-Koop

Jonathan is the A/Senior Director of the Permanent Economic Immigration Branch at Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC), where he is responsible for providing strategic policy advice regarding Express Entry, the Canadian Experience Class, the Federal Skilled Trades Program, and the Federal Skilled Workers Program. Prior to taking on this role, Jonathan held various management and analyst positions at IRCC, the Treasury Board Secretariat, and at the Immigration and Refugee Board, where he provided policy advice on the use of biometrics in Canada’s immigration system, Canada’s regulatory making process, and on the operations of Canada’s refugee determination system.

Hannah Flostrad

Johanna Felske

Svetlana Balaba

Svetlana Balaba, RCIC, serves as the Executive Director of Student Retention, Records, and International Student Advising (ISA) at GUS Canada. GUS Canada is a part of the Global University Systems (GUS) network, which encompasses eight institutions across the country. Since becoming a Regulated Canadian Immigration Consultant (RCIC) in 2017, Svetlana has held various roles in international education, with extensive experience in admissions, enrollment management, and student recruitment.

Jacques Therrien

David LeBlanc

Managing Director, Senior Counsel Regulated Canadian Immigration Consultant RCIC – ICCRC David is a High Honours Graduate of Seneca College’s Immigration Practitioner Program, and a Member of the Canadian Association of Professional Immigration Consultants. He has been with Ferreira-Wells since 2002. In April 2004, he was among the first hundred registrants listed with the former regulatory body Canadian Society of Immigration Consultants – CSIC, and is now a member of the Immigration Consultants of Canada Regulatory Council – ICCRC. He is a specialist in Family and Economic Class applications, refugee and H&C clients, attends Appeals and Admissibility hearings at all immigration tribunals, prepares final submissions, and responds to all challenges from Canada Immigration. A former banker and National Credit – Customer Service Manager with Fortune 500 corporations, David is the firm’s Managing Director and senior counsel, and oversees staff and daily business operations. He has taught classes at Seneca in the Professional Practice Management module, and is a founding member of the Immigration Consultant’s Listserv, a professional forum established in 2004 dedicated to the advancement of Immigration Consultant’s Continuing Professional Development. David is an avid portrait, travel and urban scene photographer, and has been a volunteer telephone crisis counselor with Distress Centres, family counselor with Survivor Support Program and Big Brothers. A world traveler, he was the past president of The Hemingway, an equity co-op for ten years, and oversaw its conversion to condominium. David was born in Montreal on Bastille Day, the national holiday of France, and one day he hopes to find himself in Paris on his birthday so he can see the fireworks and pretend they are for him.

Claudia Mei Mei Chan

Claudia Toulany

CBSA

Canada Border Services Agency

Kevin Zemp

Kevin Zemp is the founder of Zemp Law Group, with over 28 years of experience working in the immigration field. He is licensed to practice immigration and citizenship law in both Canada and the United States, which provides him with considerable flexibility to service clients with both Canadian and US immigration and citizenship needs.

Kevin acts for corporations, industry associations and individuals in providing advice and assistance with respect to cross-border issues and immigration requirements. His practice serves clients involved in the manufacturing, energy, high technology, telecommunications, automotive and entertainment industries, among others. He assists both individuals and corporations with work permit matters, residency and citizenship applications and many other immigration issues.

Prior to his admission to the bar, Kevin was employed as a senior immigration officer for the Canadian government. He previously served as Chair of the Alberta South section of the Canadian Bar Association and is a former Chair of the National Immigration section of the Canadian Bar Association. With his many years of experience in dealing with immigration matters, Kevin is able to apply significant background knowledge and understanding in order to resolve complex immigration issues on behalf of his clients.

Kim K.C. Ly

Kim K.C. Ly is a registered Canadian Immigration Consultant (RCIC) with the College of Immigration & Citizenship Consultants (www.college-ic.ca) (CICC) and Principal of her boutique firm, Borders Immigration Consultancy (www.bordersimmigration.com).

Possessing a Master’s Degree in Justice Studies (Royal Roads University) and an Honours Diploma in Immigration Consultancy (Humber College), Kim has over 30 years of experience in the immigration field with particular focus on temporary entry and economic programs. She maintains a client base that ranges from individuals to Fortune 500 corporations.

A long-time member of the CAPIC-ACPII (the only professional association for Immigration Consultants), Kim is also a Chartered Director (McMaster University, DeGroote School of Business) currently serving as Vice Chair of CAPIC’s Board of Directors and Chair of its Lobbying Committee.  Her previous term included serving as Chair of its Policy Committee.

Kim also currently serves as Co-Chair for the City of London's Newcomer Policy & Lobbying Taskforce and sits as a Director on the London Chamber of Commerce Board.  She is also Immigration Counsel to numerous clients of the LEDC (www.ledc.com), the lead economic development agency for the City of London.

Kim’s previous work includes serving as a member of the Leadership Council of a local community organization (immploy.ca) in London, Ontario that connects local employers to immigrant talent with the aim of strengthening the local economy and was Co-Ordinating Instructor as well as Adjunct Professor at Queen’s University’s Graduate Diploma in Immigration & Citizenship Law, having co-developed and taught its Temporary Entry and Economic Immigration courses.  Kim had also served two terms with her professional regulator’s (CICC) Governance and Nominating committee.

A regular presenter on various immigration topics at numerous industry-related events, as well as for various corporations and professional associations, Kim is an advocate for social justice, policy reform, and lobbying initiatives.  She is passionate with helping immigrants successfully immigrate to Canada.

Steve Pageau

Sinéad Tuite

Jonathan Leblanc

Jasmyne Bois

Elizabeth Monroe

Elizabeth Monroe is a seasoned Regulated Canadian Immigration Consultant (RCIC) with over 20 years of professional experience in Canadian immigration and regulatory systems.

Known for her comprehensive knowledge and compassionate client approach, Liz specializes in a wide range of immigration pathways, including family sponsorships, economic class applications, Provincial Nominee Programs (PNPs), temporary resident applications, and Labour Market Impact Assessments (LMIAs).

Her diverse employment background includes five years as a case manager at a prominent Toronto law firm, where she worked extensively with caregiver applications and Labour Market Opinions , and another five years with the College of Occupational Therapists of Ontario in their complaints and discipline department. This role offered Liz deep insight into regulatory frameworks and strengthened her ability to navigate complex legal and administrative systems.

In private practice for over 10 years, Liz combines her legal and regulatory expertise to deliver strategic, results-driven immigration solutions to individuals and employers. She is a licensed recruiter in British Columbia, Ontario, Alberta, and Saskatchewan—enhancing her ability to support both Canadian employers and skilled foreign workers, particularly in LMIA-based processes.

Driven by a commitment to ethical practice, personalized service, and successful client outcomes, Liz remains passionate about helping individuals and families achieve their Canadian immigration goals while supporting Canadian businesses in addressing workforce needs.

Katina Hunter Sutcliffe

Katina Sutcliffe attended University of Windsor Law School and earned her LLB. She also holds a JD from the University of Detroit Mercy School of Law.   Her background is wide and varied and includes a clerkship at the Ontario Court of Appeal and a decade working as a global relocation facilitator. During this time, Katina raised her young family and it is only in the last several years, Katina has become more active again in the law profession.  She attended an IPP course and developed a passion for immigration advocacy. She focuses on inadmissibility issues and has worked closely with other practitioners on a variety of immigration cases.  Another passion is Katina's thirst for case law  research and administrative law approach.     Katina has been a presenter at the chapter and national level and is a regular attendee at many CAPIC events!  When not researching Katina can be found at her beloved cottage and sailing around the Great Lakes!

Brandon Miller

Brandon D.K. Miller is a seasoned Immigration Consultant, Educator, and Entrepreneur whose unwavering sense of entrepreneurship, integrity, and professionalism have earned him the reputation as an “Immigration Superhero” and innovative leader across Canada and beyond.

As a world-traveled professional, Brandon has been imparted with a deep understanding of a multitude of different cultures, enabling him to better serve his clientele who is equally as diverse. For several years, he also assisted new immigrants in not only settling in, but taking the action steps necessary to succeed in their new home. This previous experience grants him the ability to take the most holistic possible approach to an individual’s migration.

Currently, Brandon proudly serves as a Regulated Canadian Immigration Consultant at Maple Immigration Services and an Immigration Program Instructor at Herzing College.

In addition to his Certification in Immigration Consultation (with honours) from Humber College, Brandon D.K. Miller holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Law and Psychology from Carleton University and an Instructor Diploma in TESOL (Teaching English to Speaker of Other Languages) from Global TESOL College.

Each day, Brandon D.K. Miller is deeply inspired by his clients who face untold adversity to create a better life for not only themselves, but their loved ones. As a dedicated Immigration Consultant and Educator who has traveled extensively, he has the golden opportunity to make his valued clients’ dreams a reality, which he finds both rewarding and humbling.

Monica O'Brien (RCIC)

Monica has been practicing as an RCIC for 25 years. A CAPIC volunteer since inception, she has served as Ontario chapter chair and as a member of the national board. With a fundamental belief in giving back to the profession, Monica also mentors new consultants. She presently sits on the National Advisory Committee at Queen's University for the graduate diploma in immigration and citizenship law. 

At CAPIC, Monica wears two hats - an education manager, driving content and education to meet CPD needs for CAPIC members, and a “policy hat” in facilitating stakeholder engagement. Integral to her "hats" are members' ideas, and concerns and she states that her job is only possible with the support of relevant Committees and input from CAPIC members. 

Monica holds both English and Phys. Ed degrees from York university and obtained her immigration diploma from Seneca college. In her spare time, she plays defense on her hockey team and delights in travelling with her spouse and twins.  Monica lives in Claremont, Ontario, and is a lifelong Habs fan.

Rob Stewart

Klaudios Mustakas

Neerja Bhandari

Klaudios Mustakas

Mia Loebach-Readings

•RCIC for 16 years; member of CICC and CAPIC

•Employed by and managed a mid-size immigration law firm for 15 years, and did a short stint as an immigration advisor at Western University, before opening a consulting practice last year

•Teaching at Queen’s University in the GDipICL practice management course for the past two terms

•Sit on the mentoring committee and do work with the specialization program at CICC as a Subject Matter Expert

•Invited by community service organizations to lead CPD and public information sessions for it’s employees and clients

•Sit on the Interfaith Refugee Committee in London, privately sponsoring refugees under the Community Sponsorship program 

•Practice areas that I've been focusing on lately are RPD and RAD cases, as well as H&C applications 

Mario D. Bellissimo

Mario D. Bellissimo is a graduate of Osgoode Hall Law School and is a Certified Specialist in Citizenship and Immigration Law and Refugee Protection. He is the founder of BELLISSIMO LAW GROUP PC and the principal lawyer with a practice focus on citizenship, immigration and protected person litigation and inadmissibility law. Mr. Bellissimo has appeared before all levels of immigration tribunals and courts including the Supreme Court of Canada. He is the past Chair of the Canadian Bar Association National Immigration Law Section, serves as an appointed member of the Federal Court Rules Committee and participates on multiple stakeholder committees involving the Federal Courts, the Immigration and Refugee Board, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship, the Canada Border Services Agency, Employment and Social Development Canada, and the Department of Justice.

Mr. Bellissimo has testified before Parliamentary and Senate Committees on several proposed amendments to immigration law over the years. He has been lead on policy papers, legal analysis and proposed recommendations to government on behalf of immigration advocacy associations and in his personal capacity.

Mr. Bellissimo acts on a pro bono basis for Toronto’s Sick Kids Hospital and Pro Bono Law Ontario and as the National Immigration Law and Policy Advisor for COSTI Immigration Resettlement Services. He and his team represent clients from all over the world and Bellissimo Immigration Law Group PC is exclusively committed to Canadian citizenship, immigration and refugee matters. Bellissimo Immigration Law Group PC handles hundreds of files each year and represents clients at every stage of the immigration process.

John Murray BA, LLB, LLM

IRCC Representatives

Aisling Bondy

Olena Weber

Olena Weber helps RCICs build profitable businesses without burnout. As an immigrant entrepreneur herself, she is passionate about supporting immigrant women in creating businesses they are proud of. In 2024, she was recognized as the Young Entrepreneur of the Year by the Cambridge Chamber of Commerce. Fun fact: Olena swears by running a business without a phone number! Success of your business doesn’t require being on call 24/7.

Brooke Finlay

Burcu Akyol

Burcu embarked on her career path as an RCIC in February 2019. She started her immigration consulting business after seventeen years of experience as an educator and educational leader. Although she is relatively new in the industry, setting clear entrepreneurial career goals helped her scale her business from one employee to seven employees in three years. She believes whether it is three years or thirty years in the profession, being an RCIC and a business owner require embracing a dynamic approach, a growth mindset, and positioning yourself strategically in your market.

Louise Willis

Ryhan Mansour

James Mc Namee

Yves St Germain IRCC

Monica O'Brien (RCIC)

Monica has been practicing as an RCIC for 25 years. A CAPIC volunteer since inception, she has served as Ontario chapter chair and as a member of the national board. With a fundamental belief in giving back to the profession, Monica also mentors new consultants. She presently sits on the National Advisory Committee at Queen's University for the graduate diploma in immigration and citizenship law. 

At CAPIC, Monica wears two hats - an education manager, driving content and education to meet CPD needs for CAPIC members, and a “policy hat” in facilitating stakeholder engagement. Integral to her "hats" are members' ideas, and concerns and she states that her job is only possible with the support of relevant Committees and input from CAPIC members. 

Monica holds both English and Phys. Ed degrees from York university and obtained her immigration diploma from Seneca college. In her spare time, she plays defense on her hockey team and delights in travelling with her spouse and twins.  Monica lives in Claremont, Ontario, and is a lifelong Habs fan.

Dalia Milmantas

Mia Loebach-Readings

•RCIC for 16 years; member of CICC and CAPIC

•Employed by and managed a mid-size immigration law firm for 15 years, and did a short stint as an immigration advisor at Western University, before opening a consulting practice last year

•Teaching at Queen’s University in the GDipICL practice management course for the past two terms

•Sit on the mentoring committee and do work with the specialization program at CICC as a Subject Matter Expert

•Invited by community service organizations to lead CPD and public information sessions for it’s employees and clients

•Sit on the Interfaith Refugee Committee in London, privately sponsoring refugees under the Community Sponsorship program 

•Practice areas that I've been focusing on lately are RPD and RAD cases, as well as H&C applications 

Tim Morson

David LeBlanc

Managing Director, Senior Counsel Regulated Canadian Immigration Consultant RCIC – ICCRC David is a High Honours Graduate of Seneca College’s Immigration Practitioner Program, and a Member of the Canadian Association of Professional Immigration Consultants. He has been with Ferreira-Wells since 2002. In April 2004, he was among the first hundred registrants listed with the former regulatory body Canadian Society of Immigration Consultants – CSIC, and is now a member of the Immigration Consultants of Canada Regulatory Council – ICCRC. He is a specialist in Family and Economic Class applications, refugee and H&C clients, attends Appeals and Admissibility hearings at all immigration tribunals, prepares final submissions, and responds to all challenges from Canada Immigration. A former banker and National Credit – Customer Service Manager with Fortune 500 corporations, David is the firm’s Managing Director and senior counsel, and oversees staff and daily business operations. He has taught classes at Seneca in the Professional Practice Management module, and is a founding member of the Immigration Consultant’s Listserv, a professional forum established in 2004 dedicated to the advancement of Immigration Consultant’s Continuing Professional Development. David is an avid portrait, travel and urban scene photographer, and has been a volunteer telephone crisis counselor with Distress Centres, family counselor with Survivor Support Program and Big Brothers. A world traveler, he was the past president of The Hemingway, an equity co-op for ten years, and oversaw its conversion to condominium. David was born in Montreal on Bastille Day, the national holiday of France, and one day he hopes to find himself in Paris on his birthday so he can see the fireworks and pretend they are for him.