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BorderlinesA podcast for the discussion of immigration law a Author: Steven Meurrens and Deanna Okun-Nachoff
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. Language: en Genres: News Contact email: Get it Feed URL: Get it iTunes ID: Get it |
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#188 - Retired CSIS Analyst Phil Gurski on Immigration Security Screening
Monday, 10 November, 2025
Phil Gurski is the President and CEO of Borealis Threat and Risk Consulting Ltd. He previous worked as a senior strategic analyst at the Canadian Security Intelligence Service.We discuss CSIS's role in Canadian immigration screening, the increase in comprehensive background checks, how CSIS and CBSA divide up security work, the Bishnoi gang, Bill C-12, delays in applications from China, mandamus and whether Canada lacks a national security culture. 05:26 – How CSIS does immigration security screening and the dramatic increase in comprehensive background checks10:08 – Why every citizenship application goes to CSIS for security screening15:03 – Canada’s choices: lax screening, less immigration, more surveillance… or something else?21:16 – Delays, disenfranchisement & back-end vs front-end screening31:26 – CSIS vs CBSA vs IRCC: who does what in screening?37:00 – Security vs human rights42:01 – International students, volume and how the system can be exploited49:04 – Timelines, CSIS capacity, and mandamus in Federal CourtAudience Questions54:40 – Do friends and family with extreme beliefs trigger concern?56:47 – How common is espionage in Canada?1:02:59 – What can be done to improve transparency? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
