Rephonic
Artwork for Borderlines
Canada
Canadian Immigration
Canadian Immigration Law
Express Entry
Immigration Law
Canadian Immigration Policy
IRCC
Immigration Policy
Asylum Claims
Bill C-2
International Students
Permanent Residency
Judicial Review
Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps
Bill C-12
Housing Market
Afghanistan
Bill C-3
Immigration
Canadian Bar Association

A podcast for the discussion of Canadian immigration law and policy, although we often delve into other topics. Each episode features 2-3 lawyers, academics, politicians, and stakeholders discussing current migration issues.

Hosted by Steven Meurrens and Deanna Okun-Nachoff, two immigration lawyers in Vancouver, British Columbia.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes245Founded10 years ago
Number of ListenersCategory
News

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Artwork for Borderlines

Latest Episodes

Canada designated Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) as a terrorist organization in 2024. But what happens to people who were forced to serve in the IRGC through mandatory military conscription, committed no crimes, and later immigrated ... more

Canadian immigration may be entering another period of major change.

Kubeir Kamal joins Steven Meurrens and Deanna Okun-Nachoff to discuss what could be coming next for Express Entry, whether immigration levels may begin increasing again, the futur... more

How should Canada respond to concerns about Chinese espionage and foreign interference without treating every connection to China as a national security threat?

Joanna Chiu, journalist, author of China Unbound: A New World Disorder and founder of N... more

What happens when a foreign worker loses their authorization to work in Canada? Can an employer put them on unpaid leave? Lay them off? Terminate them? And what happens to severance when a worker’s immigration status makes it difficult, or impossible... more

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Recent Guests

Garnett Genouis
Member of Parliament for Fort Saskatchewan—Various ridings mentioned; former member of Standing Committee on Citizenship and Immigration; advocate proposing a fix for conscripts
House of Commons, Conservative Party (assumed from context; not explicitly stated in transcript)
Episode: #235 - IRGC Conscripts Face Deportation. A Conservative MP Has a Solution
Kubeir Kamal
Immigration consultant
Episode: #234 - Changes Are Coming to Canadian Immigration, with Kubeir Kamal
Joanna Chiu
Journalist and author focusing on China and diaspora communities
Nüora Global Advisors (consulting context mentioned)
Episode: #233 - China, Espionage and Canadian Immigration Law: How Far Is Too Far?, with Joanna Chiu
Andrew Hayes
US immigration lawyer
Based in Vancouver, practice focused on trade and travel associated with the border
Episode: #231 - Trump, the Canada–U.S. Border and the Future of U.S. Immigration, with Andrew Hayes
Alyanna Chua
Writer with Maclean's Magazine and recent Canadian permanent resident; editor
Maclean's Magazine
Episode: #230 - Becoming a Francophone, with Alyanna Chua
Steve Paolasini
Licensed immigration consultant
Toronto-based immigration consultant
Episode: #228 - How Express Entry Went Off the Rails, with Steven Paolasini
Sujit Choudhry
Constitutional lawyer specializing in public law
University of Toronto / various academic affiliations
Episode: #226 - Can Parliament Block Judicial Review? With Paul Daly and Sujit Choudhry
Paul Daly
Administrative law lawyer and professor
University of Ottawa Faculty of Law
Episode: #226 - Can Parliament Block Judicial Review? With Paul Daly and Sujit Choudhry
Josh Fox
Filmmaker and documentary filmmaker known forGasland and The Welcome Table project
Episode: #223 - Climate Refugees and The Welcome Table

Hosts

Steven Meurrens
Host of Borderlines
Deanna Okun-Nachoff
Co-host of Borderlines

Reviews

4.8 out of 5 stars from 96 ratings
  • Trying to find out who did this

    Whiny immigration lawyers filing hundreds of applications start podcast to complain about IRCC delays…basically the Tim Robinson hot dog sketch of podcasts sprinkled with paranoid conspiracy theories. Episode 166 also sprinkles in some light antisemitism. Apparently we should blame the Jews for the government labelling the IRCG as a terrorist organization. Also apparently the “expert” guests have never heard of Ministerial Relief.

    Apple Podcasts
    1
    Alfie is a girl
    Canadaa year ago
  • Trying to find out who did this

    Whiny immigration lawyers filing hundreds of applications start podcast to complain about IRCC delays…basically the Tim Robinson hot dog sketch of podcasts sprinkled with paranoid conspiracy theories.

    Apple Podcasts
    1
    Alfie is a girl
    Canada2 years ago
  • Informative and Genuine

    As a policy student specializing in immigration, this show gives me a really easy and engaging way of learning and keeping up with how the field is evolving. It gives me so many practical and theoretical considerations to factor into my work, and helps my work stay informed with on-the-ground perspectives.

    I also appreciate the empathy and humanity this show maintains while discussing topics, as opposed to all the content choosing to just profit off of the outrage around migration. Thank you f... more

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Alex92577
    Canada2 years ago
  • Intro

    Intro/outro music is based.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Canadian Flagpoler
    Canada2 years ago
  • Intros

    I love the content but missed having speakers introduced at the start of the discussion.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    blbaj
    Canada3 years ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

Accessible yet rigorous, offering practical insights for practitioners and students.
Engaging, informative discussions with thoughtful guests.
High-quality analysis from respected members of the Canadian immigration community.

Top News Podcasts

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

#232 - Firing Foreign Workers: Immigration Status, Severance & Employment Law
Q: When is pay transparency becoming a requirement for employers?
The Pay Transparency Act is being phased in, requiring wage ranges to be posted in job listings and for employers to prepare pay transparency reports to ensure fair pay across genders and other groups.
#232 - Firing Foreign Workers: Immigration Status, Severance & Employment Law
Q: What's the difference between layoffs, firings, and unpaid leaves in practice?
Legally, layoffs are often treated as temporary, unpaid periods under the Employment Standards Act with potential severance if the situation extends or ends the relationship; improper use can lead to constructive dismissal or wrongful dismissal claims. Unpaid leaves require employee consent and can still trigger accommodation duties, while termination without cause depends on notice and severance rights.
#231 - Trump, the Canada–U.S. Border and the Future of U.S. Immigration, with Andrew Hayes
Q: What does the current discussion around TN and E-2 visas mean for Canadians seeking work in the U.S., especially in trades and small businesses?
Canadians can leverage TN and E-2 pathways for professional or essential worker roles, often with favorable terms like five-year visas and open work status for spouses; these pathways remain important but depend on treaty-based eligibility and job-based sponsorships, making choice of pathway critical based on the applicant's occupation and company needs.
#231 - Trump, the Canada–U.S. Border and the Future of U.S. Immigration, with Andrew Hayes
Q: Can you explain the practical impact of eliminating duration of status for students and how that affects OPT and post-program work authorization?
The change ties all admission periods to the I-20, requiring extensions and adjudication by agencies, which means more administrative steps for students, potential gaps in work authorization, and more consideration by employers when offering future roles.
#228 - How Express Entry Went Off the Rails, with Steven Paolasini
Q: What would you change about Express Entry to improve predictability and fairness?
Paolasini and co-authors propose moving toward a single Express Entry system by eliminating multiple subcategories, introduce a two-year profile validity, and consider a refundable deposit to deter fake profiles; they argue for reweighting factors to reflect Canadian success indicators like earnings and country-specific adjustments, with stronger role for provincial nominations.

Audience Metrics

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Frequently Asked Questions About Borderlines

What is Borderlines about and what kind of topics does it cover?

Two lawyers who specialize in Canadian immigration law host a discussions-focused show that examines policy developments, court decisions, and administrative practices through in-depth conversations with practitioners, academics, and policy-focused guests. Episodes frequently center on Express Entry, LMIA policies, detention and asylum topics, and reform proposals, often presenting practical implications for practitioners, businesses seeking sponsorship, and students studying immigration law. A notable strength is the ongoing, evidence-driven analysis with guests who bring real-world experience and academic perspectives, offering listeners a clear sense of how policy translates into practice. The format tends to blend technical legal discus... more

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Which podcasts are similar to Borderlines?

These podcasts share a similar audience with Borderlines:

1. Ideas
2. The Current
3. Commotion with Elamin Abdelmahmoud
4. CANADALAND
5. The Bridge with Peter Mansbridge

How many episodes of Borderlines are there?

Borderlines launched 10 years ago and published 245 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

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What guests have appeared on Borderlines?

Recent guests on Borderlines include:

1. Garnett Genouis
2. Kubeir Kamal
3. Joanna Chiu
4. Andrew Hayes
5. Alyanna Chua
6. Steve Paolasini
7. Sujit Choudhry
8. Paul Daly

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