News

The British Columbia Division recognizes the vital role its advisory boards play in shaping The Salvation Army’s mission and initiatives. One of the most remarkable leaders within this group is [...]

In British Columbia, there is no formal paperwork or process required to be considered legally separated from your spouse. Under the Family Law Act, a person is considered a spouse if they are [...]

As of January 21, 2025, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (“IRCC”) will implement changes to the eligibility criteria for open work permits (“OWP”) for family members of international [...]

Separating from a spouse is often emotionally taxing, and navigating the practical aspects of dividing property and debt adds another layer of complexity to an already challenging situation.

Landlords faced with serious damage to their property caused by current or former tenants can find themselves in the unenviable position of not knowing whether to pursue compensation through the [...]

Are you sending rent payments to a non-Canadian account? Did your landlord give you overseas contact details? Do you suspect your landlord might live outside of Canada? These are red flags that [...]

In British Columbia, Canada, there are specific rules you need to adhere to when naming a business. Understanding the naming rules is essential to ensuring compliance and to avoiding potential [...]

Bruce Hallsor, KC, is a preeminent litigator in the area of contaminated properties, and has significantly influenced environmental and property law. Bruce has played pivotal role in challenging [...]

On August 23, 2023, a three-judge panel of the Ontario Divisional Court issued a decision with significant implications for licensed members of regulated professions who are concerned about their [...]

In 2017, the City of Vancouver introduced the Empty Homes Tax. In 2018, BC passed the Speculation and Vacancy Tax Act (the “SVTA”), and in 2019, the Land Owner Transparency Act. Most recently in [...]

Global News reached out to our immigration partner, Sarah Goodman, to discuss wait times for passport renewals.

A common question that family lawyers are asked is “what is this divorce or separation going to cost me?”

The Minister of Transport has published guidance materials to assist air operators during the check-in procedure at international airports.

Who is going to care for your beloved pet if you die before it does? Will they have sufficient funds to do so? These are important considerations in estate planning that often do not get the [...]

Crease Harman voted as one of Victoria's Best Law Firms

The 2019 BC PNP Statistics show that the average salaries have increased over the years since the Skills Immigration Registration System began in 2015.

The Government of BC introduced the Speculation and Vacancy Tax Act in response to skyrocketing housing prices. This article provides information on some of the current issues in the application [...]

The 2019 BC PNP Statistics show that Metro Vancouver continues to be the top region where newcomers intend to reside. Learn more about the Regional Distribution.

Since May 2017, the Tech Pilot has attracted talent to B.C. in the new and emerging technologies industry. Here are the statistics since inception.

Here are the top ten occupations for Skills Immigration nominations. The 2019 stats show that there were more restaurant and food service managers, retail and wholesale trade managers, software [...]

Here are the top ten source countries for Skills Immigration (SI) nominations, and the top five source countries for Entrepreneur (EI) nominations.

The requirements for the BC PNP Skills Immigration Stream varies for the five categories. Review the table below for more information.

The current BC PNP registration and application process is a points-based system. Here is a diagram that shows this process.

The 2019 figures for the B.C. provincial nominees by category within the Skills Immigration Stream are now available from the auditor's report.

Dr. Lugosi is leading a team at Crease Harman that is helping Victoria’s visually-impaired community in their action to seek accommodation from the City of Victoria and BC Transit at the Human [...]

Crease Harman LLP invites you to join us for an education seminar tailored specifically to accountants, with updates as to the state of the law in four areas relevant to both the accounting and [...]

Permanent residents have been coming to BC through the PNP since 2002. The updated figures for 2019 are now available from the auditor's report.

Update on travel restrictions: immediate family members of Canadians and those with PR, asymptomatic of COVID-19, can enter Canada and must quarantine.

Dr. Bonnie Henry, British Columbia’s provincial health officer, has kept the coronavirus in check in B.C. and is receiving praise for her actions.

The Government of BC introduced the Speculation and Vacancy Tax Act in response to skyrocketing housing prices. This article provides information on some of the current issues in the application [...]

Dr. Charles Lugosi discusses the criminal negligence charges public officials may face from COVID-19 patients after reopening the economy.

There are two major things that must be sorted by relatives if someone dies without a will. The first is who gets the job of being the executor. The second is how to distribute the assets left [...]

Bruce Hallsor says many of his clients are concerned with their ability to prevent an end-of-life scenario in which they languish in an institution, suffering for a long period of time with no [...]

Property Transfer Tax (PTT) is better described as a land registration tax. This paper will briefly explain how the tax applies, and will discuss ways to reduce or avoid the tax.

IRCC will be providing critical settlement and resettlement services only. Whenever possible, these will be provided by telephone, email or online.

Will I be allowed to re-enter Canada if I’m a permanent resident? Landed permanent residents who have no symptoms of COVID-19 are allowed.

For those required to provide biometrics to Immigration Canada, you now automatically have 90 days (instead of 30) to provide them.

In the last few weeks, the Provincial Court of British Columbia has released several decisions concerning parenting issues caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.

IRCC’s offices have cancelled all citizenship ceremonies, citizenship tests and retests, in-person permanent resident landing appointments, and in-person refugee claimant appointments until [...]

Canada has temporarily lifted the limit on work hours to allow international students in essential services to help fight COVID-19.

Bruce Hallsor, Crease Harman’s managing partner, will be joining a panel discussing business law for small business owners in Victoria during COVID-19. If you’re a Victoria small [...]

Currently, you cannot get passport services at Service Canada offices until further notice. Learn more about getting a passport in the US and abroad.

From Canadian Lawyer Mag. Estate lawyers in Alberta and British Columbia say they are fielding a wide range of queries from clients thinking about end of life decisions and are providing advice [...]

Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has cancelled all citizenship events until further notice to keep everyone safe. This includes citizenship ceremonies and more.

Dr. Charles Lugosi discusses the legal and bioethical considerations necessary to formulate National Guidelines for ICU admission and ventilator distribution in response to the COVID-19 pandemic [...]

Canada's refugee resettlement programs are temporarily halted. No in person interviews are being conducted for refugee claimants. Learn more about the impact of COVID-19 for refugees.

For permanent residence applicants, find out if you are exempt from travel restrictions, more about your immigration landing appointments, and biometrics deadline.

The COVID pandemic has many of our clients turning their minds to the matter of their estate planning. While we all hope for the best, preparing for the less-desirable outcomes can be a grim but [...]

Travel restrictions announced by the Prime Minister will have an impact on many who can’t travel to Canada right now, even if you have a valid visitor visa.

To protect Canadians from COVID 19, the Prime Minister announced travel restrictions that will limit travel to Canada. How is it affecting immigration?

Effective March 18, 2020, Canada is denying entry to travellers. Certain exceptions allow essential travel for temporary foreign workers.

In Ontario, a mother applied to the Court seeking to suspend the father’s parenting time. Her concern is that he might not be practicing proper social distancing.

John Ossowski, President of the Canada Border Services Agency, made the following statement regarding new measures at the border to address COVID-19...

The office at BC PNP is taking steps to respond to the impacts of COVID-19. Here is information about the changes to their operations.

Here is a summary of the restrictions of foreign nationals from entering Canada by entry of air and the exceptions.

지난 20 년 동안 캐나다 정부는 이민 컨설턴트를 허가하고 규제하기 위해 노력했습니다. 캐나다 이민 컨설턴트 협회 (Canadian Society of Immigration Consultants)는 2003년 캐나다 정부에 의해 설립된 최초의 관리 기구였습니다. 2003년 이전에는 이민 컨설턴트에 대한 규제나 감독이 전혀 없었습니다.

Over the last two decades, the Canadian government made efforts to licence and regulate immigration consultants. The Canadian Society of Immigration Consultants was the first governing body [...]

외국인 구입세는 2016년 BC정부에 의해 소개되었습니다. 외국인 구입세는 부동산의 공정 시장 가치의 20 %이며 외국인 (영주권자 또는 캐나다 시민이 아닌 개인)이 BC 주 빅토리아, 밴쿠버, 나나이모, 켈로나를 포함한 특정 지역에서 부동산을 구매할 때 지불해야합니다. 최근 BC 이민자들에게 외국인 구입세를 지불하는 데에는 두 가지 예외가 있습니다.

The Additional Property Transfer Tax (“ATT”), commonly called the Foreign Buyers Tax, was introduced by the BC government in 2016. The ATT is 20% of the fair market value of the property and is [...]

Here is a summary of the restrictions of foreign nationals from entering Canada by entry of air and the exceptions.

At present, the Domestic Network will be suspending the majority of client-facing services until further notice. Learn more about what services are affected.

Currently at Land borders, US Citizens, green card holders or those that have a Visa in hand can be denied entry if considered to be “Non-essential travel”.

Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has put special measures in place to help you, if you’re a Chinese, Iranian or South Korean national...

The ​Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada (IRB) continues to actively monitor developments related to COVID-19. Read the full advisory.