Join us for the 18th National Citizenship and Immigration Conference (NCIC) in Winnipeg, Manitoba!

CAPIC’s National Citizenship & Immigration Conference

Next Gen: Immigration, Technology and Representation

June 7 –9, 2023 | Winnipeg – CPD Approved: 19.5 CPD hours. 


The NCIC will be held at the RBC Centre that is located on Treaty One Territory, the home and traditional lands of the Anishinaabe (Ojibwe), Ininew (Cree), and Dakota peoples, and in the National Homeland of the Red River Metis. It is acknowledged that clean drinking water comes from Shoal Lake 40 First Nation, in Treaty Three Territory 

Winnipeg has served as Canada's immigration gateway to the West and a landing point for many as they have begun their journey in Canada. Inspired by this rich and significant immigration backdrop, NCIC 2023 will bring inclusion, diversity, and innovation as we explore what is taking place in the Canadian immigration world.

This year's Gala will be held at the stunning Canadian Museum of Human Rights, where the struggle for many immigrants have been chronicled. With this in mind, we will chronicle our journey together, as we dissect the challenges ahead and help to cultivate and improve paths for all. Join us as we move forward on this immigration path and be part of something great!

Next Gen: Immigration, Technology and, Representation

Group Sales are on! Save $$ and Register today! We'll add you to a group! 20% of regular. Early bird is no longer available.

Government Speakers

Bogdan Sultana

Acting Director, IPG, IRCC

Jean-Marc Gionet

DG, IPG, IRCC

Annie Bellemare

DG, PDA IRCC

Anthony Boonstra

Sr Director, Projects & Digital Strategy, IRCC

Colleen Mullen

Senior Policy Advisor, IPG, IRCC

Elizabeth Orton

Asst. Director, IRCC

Previous Keynotes

The Honourable Sean Fraser

Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship

Richard Wex

Chairperson and Chief Executive Officer of the Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada

The Honourable Marco E. L. Mendicino, P.C., M.P.

Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship (NCIC 2020)

Mayor Naheed Nenshi

Calgary Mayor (NCIC 2019)

Jean-Nicolas Beuze

UNHCR Representative Canada (NCIC 2017)

Janet Dench

Executive Director for Canadian Council of Refugees (NCIC 2016)

Mario Dion

Chairperson of the Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada (NCIC 2015)

Speakers

Jade Calver

RCIC

Industry Specialist

Anthony Lawley

RCIC / CRIC

Industry Specialist

Tiffany Chi

RCIC / CRIC

Industry Specialist

Peter Veress

RCIC / CRIC

Industry Specialist

Kim K.C. Ly

RCIC / CRIC

Industry Specialist

Brandon Miller

RCIC / CRIC

Industry Specialist

Scott Smith

RCIC / CRIC

Industry Specialist

Tracy Burtt

Associate Academic Director

Industry Specialist

Catherine Baier

RCIC

Industry Specialist

Goldy Hyder

President and CEO of Business Council Canada

Industry Specialist

Katie Laughlin

RCIC/ CRIC

Industry Specialist

Manprit Aujla-Grewal

RCIC / CRIC

Industry Specialist

Ingrid (Gerharda L.) Reuvekamp-Been

RCIC / CRIC

Industry Specialist

Martine Varekamp-Bos

RCIC / CRIC

Industry Specialist

Adrian Menezes

President & CEO of AJM Canadian Immigration & Citizenship Services Inc.

Industry Specialist

Justin Foot

RCIC

Industry Specialist

Dory Jade

Chief Executive Officer

Industry Specialist

Avni Marfatia

Chair, CAPIC Board of Directors

Industry Specialist

Chitra Bhatia

RCIC / CRIC

Industry Specialist

Katina Hunter Sutcliffe

LL.B

Industry Specialist

Aileen Farrol

RCIC / CRIC

Industry Specialist

Burcu Akyol

RCIC / CRIC

Industry Specialist

Lulwa Al Hidiq

RCIC/ CRIC

Industry Specialist

Phil Mooney

RCIC / CRIC

Industry Specialist

Chris Daw

RCIC / CRIC

Industry Specialist

John Murray BA, LLB, LLM

President & CEO, Registrar- the College of Immigration and Citizenship Consultants

Industry Specialist

Jacques Therrien

RCIC / CRIC

Industry Specialist

Neerja Bhandari

RCIC / CRIC

Industry Specialist

Neera Agnihotri

RCIC / RCIC

Industry Specialist

Sharry Aiken

Associate Professor of Law at Queen’s University

Industry Specialist

Vilma Filici

RCIC / CRIC

Industry Specialist

Sunil Sharma

RCIC

Industry Specialist

Yasmeen Tyyebi

RCIC / CRIC

Industry Specialist

07th June

Wednesday

08th June

Thursday

09th June

Friday

13:00 PM - 15:00 PM

Pre Registration

Pre Registration

Pre Registration located on the Main Floor of the North Building

18:00 PM - 23:30 PM

Reception and Gala at Canadian Museum of Human Rights

Reception and Gala at Canadian Museum of Human Rights

CAPIC’s National Citizenship & Immigration Conference Next Gen: Immigration, Technology and Representation June 7 –9, 2023 | Winnipeg – CPD Approved: 19.5 CPD hours.

07:30 AM - 09:00 AM

Registration and Breakfast

Registration and Breakfast

09:00 AM - 09:45 AM

Welcome and Opening Remarks: Walk this Land – An Indigenous Perspective

Welcome and Opening Remarks: Walk this Land – An Indigenous Perspective

We are all immigrants to this country!

AT: Main Room

09:45 AM - 11:00 AM

IRCC-A Post Pandemic World. How can IRCC manage the challenges ahead?

IRCC-A Post Pandemic World. How can IRCC manage the challenges ahead?

Included will be the RCIC perspective of the changing immigration world. Let’s listen in to the conversation! (subject matter: updates, processing, other) This is about today and tomorrow. How is the Department preparing and what can we expect? What’s ahead for you?

AT: Main Room

Jean-Marc Gionet

DG, IPG, IRCC

Speaker

Dory Jade

Chief Executive Officer

Speaker

Avni Marfatia

Chair, CAPIC Board of Directors

Speaker

11:00 AM - 11:30 AM

NETWORKING BREAK

NETWORKING BREAK

11:30 AM - 13:00 PM

Express Entry – A Fresh perspective.

Express Entry – A Fresh perspective.

Let’s re-examine EE with a focus on draws, numbers, scores and more. (subject matter: express entry, economic immigration). It’s been 8 years of EE – a fresh look as look to the next gen of economic programming and management.

AT: Main Room

Tracy Burtt

Associate Academic Director

Panel Chair

Neera Agnihotri

RCIC / RCIC

Speaker

Bogdan Sultana

Acting Director, IPG, IRCC

Speaker

Chitra Bhatia

RCIC / CRIC

Speaker

11:30 AM - 13:00 PM

The Business Edge - Scaling your practice and managing your resources.

The Business Edge - Scaling your practice and managing your resources.

(subject matter: business matters) Next gen of scaling your business- can you, do it? What do you need, what are challenges, Working for yourself - is that you or not?

AT: Breakout Room

Jade Calver

RCIC

Speaker

Anthony Lawley

RCIC / CRIC

Speaker

Kim K.C. Ly

RCIC / CRIC

Speaker

13:00 PM - 14:15 PM

NETWORKING LUNCH

NETWORKING LUNCH

Grab lunch and then head to our workshop on fees!

AT: Main Room

13:20 PM - 14:10 PM

The Value of You

The Value of You

Figuring out fees and a formula to help! (subject matter: Business matters) How do you set and manage your fees? Should you charge a consultation fee! Let’s find out!

AT: Breakout out room

Neerja Bhandari

RCIC / CRIC

Panel Chair

Catherine Baier

RCIC

Speaker

14:15 PM - 15:30 PM

Advocating Firmly and Persuasively

Advocating Firmly and Persuasively

From thinking on your feet, to knowing which channels to use, this session is a must for every practitioner. (Subject matter: professionalism, communication skills) The file is lost in the system and usual channels aren’t working. What next? You need to think quickly on your feet for that tough interview or interaction on behalf of your clients? How do you advocate smartly?

AT: Main Room

Katina Hunter Sutcliffe

LL.B

Panel Chair

Karen Howley

Lawyer

Speaker

Martine Varekamp-Bos

RCIC / CRIC

Speaker

14:15 PM - 15:30 PM

Out of Options?

Out of Options?

Your client has a failed claim and seems to have exhausted options. (Subject matter H and C, other) What’s next for that client who has a failed claimant. What are their options? Can you interact with the client before making that claim?

AT: Breakout Room

Muhammad Virk

RCIC / CRIC

Panel Chair

Lulwa Al Hidiq

RCIC/ CRIC

Speaker

Yasmeen Tyyebi

RCIC / CRIC

Speaker

15:30 PM - 16:00 PM

Networking Break

Networking Break

16:00 PM - 17:15 PM

Next Gen Immigration: Managing Change to Benefit and Protect the Client

Next Gen Immigration: Managing Change to Benefit and Protect the Client

(Subject Matter: Leadership, Other) What and who causes changes in this environment we are in? How do we measure the impact of change and prioritize to better serve our clients? Be ready for a lively discussion and some amazing takeaways.

Peter Veress

RCIC / CRIC

Panel Chair

Phil Mooney

RCIC / CRIC

Panel Chair

Goldy Hyder

President and CEO of Business Council Canada

Panel Chair

16:45 PM - 17:00 PM

Closing Remarks Day 2

Closing Remarks Day 2

17:15 PM - 18:15 PM

CICC's cocktail reception

CICC's cocktail reception

Join CICC's cocktail reception in the foyer immediately following the final NCIC session

07:00 AM - 08:30 AM

Registration and Breakfast

Registration and Breakfast

07:30 AM - 08:30 AM

Technical tips for your practice!

Technical tips for your practice!

Subject Matter: Portals, Technology. Great for those technically challenged! Don’t miss this one!

AT: Breakout Room

Adrian Menezes

President & CEO of AJM Canadian Immigration & Citizenship Services Inc.

Panel Chair

Justin Foot

RCIC

Speaker

08:30 AM - 10:00 AM

ESDC Today and Next Gen: A conversation with a key stakeholder. Let’s listen in.

ESDC Today and Next Gen: A conversation with a key stakeholder. Let’s listen in.

The TFWP remains a key elements of the immigration domain – what’s ahead in terms of next gen – How is the program evolving to keep up with the demands of the labour market?

AT: Main Room

Chris Daw

RCIC / CRIC

Panel Chair

Kim K.C. Ly

RCIC / CRIC

Speaker

Brian Hickey

DG ESDC

Speaker

Ingrid (Gerharda L.) Reuvekamp-Been

RCIC / CRIC

Speaker

09:45 AM - 10:00 AM

Networking Break

Networking Break

10:00 AM - 11:15 AM

IRCC Next Gen: Machine Learning

IRCC Next Gen: Machine Learning

Machine Learning is here to stay. From triage to processing to the next generation. Are you ready? (Subject Matter: AI, Technology, Business Matters) Machine learning is here to stay. How are you adapting to ensure, you, your client and your practice are ready. What are you doing to take this to next gen? What is ahead for the Department in terms of next gen? We’ll talk a little of today but mostly about tomorrow!

AT: Main Room

Aileen Farrol

RCIC / CRIC

Panel Chair

Annie Bellemare

DG, PDA IRCC

Speaker

Anthony Boonstra

Sr Director, Projects & Digital Strategy, IRCC

Speaker

Brandon Miller

RCIC / CRIC

Speaker

Burcu Akyol

RCIC / CRIC

Speaker

11:15 AM - 12:15 PM

CAPIC AGM

CAPIC AGM

CAPIC members – be updated on what’s happening in your association! All attendees welcome! A hearty appreciation of volunteers is in store!

AT: Main Room

12:15 PM - 13:30 PM

Networking Lunch

Networking Lunch

Time to eat and head over to the sponsor session!

12:30 PM - 13:15 PM

Sponsor Session- Canada Start up

Sponsor Session- Canada Start up

Join our sponsor as Canada Start up as they discuss their products and services!

AT: Breakout Room

Ajay Malhotra

Managing Partner and CEO - Canada Start up Co.

Panel Chair

Megan Tuck

Senior Partner

Panel Chair

13:30 PM - 14:45 PM

The Job offer Trail

The Job offer Trail

Follow the job offer trail. This conversation will include analysis, strategy, and ethics. (Subject matter: Code of ethics, professionalism, LMIA, work permit) Does a case start first with a job offer? Is it coming from the employee/employer and what do you do when something is “off”? Let’s discuss the importance of ethical standards from all parties and what do you do when that is challenged?

AT: Main Room

Arian Sultafa

RCIC -IRB

Speaker

Kim K.C. Ly

RCIC / CRIC

Speaker

John Murray BA, LLB, LLM

President & CEO, Registrar- the College of Immigration and Citizenship Consultants

Speaker

13:30 PM - 14:45 PM

Meet these Pilots

Meet these Pilots

Don’t miss this flight as we cruise to altitude and review key aspects! Hang on to your oxygen masks as we explore opportunities for you and your clients! (Subject matter: Pilot Programs). A spreadsheet of pilots with a mini deep dive. What happens to a pilot when it’s over?

AT: Breakout Room

Tammy-Lynn Romain

Senior Policy and Program Advisor, Immigration Program Guidance, IRCC

Panel Chair

Monica O'Brien (RCIC)

Education Manager

Panel Chair

Bogdan Sultana

Acting Director, IPG, IRCC

Speaker

Avni Marfatia

Chair, CAPIC Board of Directors

Speaker

14:45 PM - 15:00 PM

Networking Break

Networking Break

15:00 PM - 16:00 PM

Submissions at the Next Level

Submissions at the Next Level

Writing at the next level – like you have never seen before! (Subject Matter: Professionalism, Communication skills). Bringing writing to the next level - how can you tell the story and facts succinctly. Are submissions read, considered? How does AI intercept submissions. How much time is spent “on” a submission by a practitioner and read at govt? Is Chat GPT role in submissions, is it ‘your” writing?

AT: Main Room

Katina Hunter Sutcliffe

LL.B

Panel Chair

Tiffany Chi

RCIC / CRIC

Speaker

Tracy Burtt

Associate Academic Director

Speaker

15:00 PM - 16:00 PM

Level Up – Niche Areas of Practice

Level Up – Niche Areas of Practice

Niche areas you had no idea about. Gain knowledge and potential pathways! (Subject matter: work permits, pathways). More unusual areas of practice to discuss with interesting facts, good knowledge and takeaways.

AT: Breakout Room

Katie Laughlin

RCIC/ CRIC

Speaker

Martine Varekamp-Bos

RCIC / CRIC

Speaker

16:00 PM - 17:15 PM

Next Gen: International Students Gradates and Foreign Workers

Next Gen: International Students Gradates and Foreign Workers

Don't miss this one as we wrap up our two-day conference! (Subject matter: study permits, work permits, other) What’s on the horizon of this co-hort? What obstacles stand in the way? Is Canada still that dream destination? We’ll ensure you have some great takeaways in order to challenge those obstacles!

Manprit Aujla-Grewal

RCIC / CRIC

Panel Chair

IRCC Representatives

IRCC

Speaker

Colleen Mullen

Senior Policy Advisor, IPG, IRCC

Speaker

Elizabeth Orton

Asst. Director, IRCC

Speaker

Scott Smith

RCIC / CRIC

Speaker

Jacques Therrien

RCIC / CRIC

Speaker

17:15 PM - 17:30 PM

Thank you and closing remarks. See you next year! Get ready for NCIC 2024!

Thank you and closing remarks. See you next year! Get ready for NCIC 2024!

Topics and Times subject to change at CAPIC’s discretion. Virtual on demand: Today’s Refugee – A honest conversation on the ‘modern” refugee – From displacement to global conflict to long journeys and more. – 1 hour 15 mins -Speakers Vilma Filici RCIC, Diana Gallego, Senior Director FCJ Refugee Centre, Sharry Aiken, Associate Professor (Queens), LLB, LLM (Subject matter: refugees, other). Virtual on demand – Stepping stones as you start! – Knowing your niche and marketing ethically. Speaker: – 30 mins - Sunil Sharma, RCIC (Subject Business Matters)

Travel Discounts

  • Thank you for choosing Air Canada as the preferred airline for your event which will be held Wednesday, June 07, 2023 to Friday, June 09, 2023. This a promotion code for the convention product. To book a flight with your promotion code, access aircanada.com and enter your promotion code in the Promotion Code Box. to qualify for the Meeting and Conventions special fares a minimum of 10 delegates is required travelling from various origins to the same destination within air canada s extensive north american and international network. customers will benefit from an instant online registration and enjoy a ten per cent discount on eligible fares. Your promotion code: QV4EZJ41 This promotion code can be used for 100 passengers on aircanada.com. Applicable Rules • The booking is to be made to the following city: Winnipeg, YWG (MB) • The travel period begins Wednesday, May 31, 2023 and ends Friday, June 16, 2023. • Travel is valid Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday, Sun
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  • On behalf of our team, we would like to thank you for choosing WestJet for your travel plans. We are happy to confirm that for the upcoming event, NCIC, we are able to offer 5% off Econo* and 10% off EconoFlex and Premium fares for travel within Canada and 2% off Econo*, 5% off EconoFlex and 10% off Premium base fares for guests travelling Trans-border. To take advantage of this offer, you will need the discount code listed. Please visit www.westjet.com/conventions to make a booking online. Applicable Rules • The booking is to be made to the following city: Winnipeg • The travel period begins: 5/31/2023 • The travel period ends: 6/16/2023 • No discount will apply to Basic or Business class bookings. Coupon Code (Guest web/Travel Agent web): 7I1I7BV Promo Code (Travel Agent GDS only): WKK53
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  • VALID: June 2nd 2023 to June 14th 2023 TERRITORY: From all stations throughout the VIA system to Winnipeg MB and return. RESTRICTIONS: Fare applies to a maximum of two passengers per booking. One complimentary stopover is allowed at no additional charge. For travel on all fare plans in Business class, the first stopover is allowed at no additional charge, provided that this stopover takes place in Toronto, Montréal or Ottawa only. DISCOUNT: 10% off the best available fare in Economy, Economy Plus, Business, Business Plus, Sleeper class. "Subject to the conditions and restrictions of the fare plan to which the additional discount is being applied." EXCEPTION: Discount does not apply in any Escape fares and Prestige Class. IDENTIFICATION: Participants must reference the event’s VIA convention discount code: 14311
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