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Toronto Star Interviews Mario Bellissimo on Canada’s Changing Immigration System

Sophia Zerai — Fri, 23 Oct 2026 17:52:20 +0000

In a recent Toronto Star article, Mario D. Bellissimo comments on the challenges facing Canada’s immigration system, including processing backlogs, changing immigration policies, and the growing number of temporary residents already in Canada.

Mr. Bellissimo discusses the importance of creating a predictable and sustainable immigration system, emphasizing that reducing immigration numbers alone does not address the broader structural challenges facing the system.

Read the full article: Canada slashed immigration. But is the system under control?

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Global News Interviews Mario Bellissimo on ICE at U.S. Airports Impacting Canadians

blgpc_web — Tue, 24 Mar 2026 15:08:27 +0000

Mario D. Bellissimo was interviewed by Global News on the increased presence of ICE officers at U.S. airports and what this means for Canadians travelling or transiting through the United States.

He notes enforcement is highly visible and U.S. border officials continue to have broad discretionary powers. Canadians may face secondary inspections, device searches, delays, or refusals at the border. Mr. Bellissimo emphasizes that once in the United States, Canadians are subject to U.S. law, and Canada cannot override decisions made by U.S. authorities. If detained, contact a US immigration lawyer immediately.

Watch the interview here: ICE agents at U.S. airports | Watch News Videos Online

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CBC News Interviews Mario Bellissimo on Travel Bans Affecting Canadian Children Abroad

blgpc_web — Fri, 20 Mar 2026 18:22:48 +0000

In a recent article by CBC News, Mario Bellissimo comments on a case involving two Canadian children unable to leave Egypt due to a court-ordered travel ban.

The article highlights the legal limitations facing Canadian authorities when foreign court orders are in place, particularly in family and custody matters. It also underscores the importance of understanding how international legal frameworks can impact mobility, especially where children are involved.

Mr. Bellissimo notes that Canada cannot override another country’s jurisdiction, and that such situations can lead to prolonged legal processes, affecting timelines, schooling, and family reunification.

Watch here: 2 Canadian girls stuck in Egypt under travel ban requested by father

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Toronto Star Interviews Mario Bellissimo on Rising Electronic Device Searches at the U.S. Border

blgpc_web — Wed, 11 Mar 2026 21:00:30 +0000

In a recent article by the Toronto Star, Mario D. Bellissimo comments on increasing electronic device searches conducted by U.S. Customs and Border Protection. New data shows a rise in searches of phones, laptops, and other digital devices at U.S. ports of entry. The article highlights the legal framework governing border searches, the potential privacy implications for travellers, and the immigration considerations that may arise when entering the United States.

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Mario Bellissimo Analyzes Bill C‑12 as Senate Nears Final Reading

blgpc_web — Wed, 25 Feb 2026 19:50:01 +0000

Canada’s proposed immigration overhaul, Bill C-12, is moving toward final Senate approval despite pointed concerns raised during committee review and by leading members of the bar. As reported by Law360 Canada, a Senate committee advanced the bill without amendment, even after another Senate committee recommended removing key immigration provisions over constitutional and rule-of-law concerns. The debate centres on far-reaching measures that would expand executive discretion, introduce new refugee ineligibility rules, and broaden information-sharing powers across jurisdictions. Critics caution that certain provisions including authority to cancel entire classes of immigration applications in the “public interest” and tighter timelines affecting refugee claimants risk creating legal uncertainty, limiting procedural safeguards, and triggering constitutional challenges. Concerns raised before the Senate include the potential for discriminatory or overly broad use of discretionary powers, retroactive refugee ineligibility measures, and privacy implications tied to expanded data-sharing regimes

Mr. Bellissimo has warned that while reform may be necessary to address backlogs and system pressures, measures that undermine fairness and accountability could ultimately weaken, rather than strengthen, Canada’s immigration framework. As Bill C-12 proceeds to third reading, the focus now shifts to whether final debate will address these rule-of-law concerns and ensure that reforms remain consistent with Canada’s constitutional principles and humanitarian commitments.

Read the full Law360 coverage here: Senators greenlight immigration overhaul despite Senate study echoing bar’s objections – Law360 Canada

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Stronger Together: Lessons from Hockey – Connection and Community

blgpc_web — Mon, 09 Feb 2026 15:37:03 +0000

https://www.bellissimolawgroup.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/mix_11m10s-audio-joiner.com_.mp3

We at Bellissimo Law Group are incredibly proud to celebrate the launch of an inspiring new community program, Stronger Together: Lessons from Hockey, featuring former Captain and Toronto Maple Leaf legend Rick Vaive.

This initiative is the result of many months of thoughtful collaboration led by Mr. Bellissimo and a passionate team of contributors who believe deeply in the power of community, mentorship, and positive role models. At its core, Stronger Together is about helping children understand that they belong exactly as they are — that you do not have to wear a jersey to belong, to be valued, or to achieve great things.

Using hockey as a bridge, the program shares lessons around teamwork, resilience, and character — lessons that extend far beyond sport. It encourages young people to believe in themselves, to feel supported by their community, and to recognize that inspiration and success come from showing up, supporting one another, and growing together.

Our hope is that Stronger Together will change children’s lives in real and lasting ways — building confidence, connection, and purpose — and that it will continue to expand, reaching more schools, more families, and more communities over time.

Be sure to check out clips from Mr. Bellissimo’s recent radio interview, where he shares insights into the vision behind the program and why this work matters so deeply.

We invite anyone who would like to learn more, get involved, or support this initiative to reach out. Stay tuned as we continue to spotlight the stories, moments, and impact behind this incredible program.

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CTV News Interviews Mario Bellissimo on Canada’s 2026 Study Permit Targets

blgpc_web — Fri, 05 Dec 2025 16:19:08 +0000

CTV News spoke with Mario Bellissimo about Canada’s newly released 2026 study permit targets. The federal government plans to issue 408,000 permits, including 155,000 new international students and 253,000 extensions, continuing a multi-year decline under the national cap.

Mario noted that while reducing overall numbers may help processing, “a global number is unhelpful” without a data-driven framework that reflects housing, healthcare, social-service capacity, and labour-market needs. He also highlighted the new 2026 exemptions, including PAL/TAL waivers for master’s and doctoral students, and the implications for applicants navigating a more competitive landscape.

Bellissimo emphasized that intake must align with real-time opportunities for students to succeed, and that a transparent expression-of-interest model would better manage demand.

Read the full CTV article here: https://www.ctvnews.ca/canada/article/immigration-expert-says-canada-needs-a-new-intake-mechanism-for-international-students/

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Express Entry Draw #375 Results: 1,000 Invitations for Canadian Immigration issued on October 28

blgpc_web — Tue, 28 Oct 2025 16:03:51 +0000

Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada has announced Express Entry Draw #375, issuing 1,000 ITAs to foreign nationals who had 533 points or more. The latest draw took place on October 28, 2025.

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Federal Government Introduces Bill C-12 to Advance Immigration and Border Reforms

blgpc_web — Wed, 15 Oct 2025 17:18:33 +0000

Bill C-12 aims to accelerate reforms affecting immigration documents, refugee claim eligibility, and CBSA enforcement authorities. While the government says this streamlined bill will allow for faster passage of key reforms, civil liberties and migrant rights advocates have raised concerns. Critics argue the bill still fast-tracks restrictions on refugee hearings and expands ministerial powers without adequate oversight.

Bellissimo told Law360 Canada that Bill C-12 appears to be a deliberate effort to secure political support by isolating immigration reforms from the broader C-2 framework, which drew widespread opposition from legal and civil society groups.

At Bellissimo Law Group, we continue to monitor legislative developments that may impact immigration and refugee law, and we remain committed to advocating for fair, transparent, and accountable legal processes.

Read the full article via Law360 Canada: https://www.law360.ca/ca/articles/2397961/new-federal-bill-c-12-features-immigration-reforms-carved-out-from-contentious-strong-borders-bill

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CBC News Interviews Mario Bellissimo on Federal Court Immigration Backlog

blgpc_web — Thu, 02 Oct 2025 18:02:52 +0000

Mario Bellissimo spoke to CBC about the unprecedented surge in immigration cases at the Federal Court, with filings projected to reach over 30,000 this year. Average processing times for non-refugee cases have jumped from 6–8 months to 14–18 months, raising serious access to justice concerns.

Bellissimo highlighted that IRCC’s reliance on technology, standardized refusal letters, and reduced internal channels often leaves applicants feeling unheard. “And what does that lead to? Runaway litigation,” he told CBC.

At Bellissimo Law Group, we continue to support clients navigating these delays and advocating for fair hearings.

Read the full CBC article here: https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/nova-scotia/federal-court-immigration-filings-1.7647984

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