Lawyers are currently challenging two major immigration decisions in courts of law. One challenge has been made to the Federal Government, while the other has been made to the Government of Quebec.Quebec – A date has been set for the Quebec Superior Court to hear arguments against recent changes to the Quebec Skilled Worker (QSW) program. The trial will be held on October 21 and 22, 2014.

The case, Stasenko v. MICC et al, challenges the Government of Quebec’s recent decision to retroactively apply changes to the program’s eligibility criteria. The retroactive changes affected many individuals who had already submitted their applications under different criteria.

The case was originally going to be heard in May 2014, but was postponed.

“This case will affect thousands of applicants who, in my view, were wrongly denied the chance to have their applications fairly assessed for immigration,” said Attorney David Cohen. “That is why I am proud to be co-counsel in the legal efforts against the government’s decision.”

Federal – A hearing at the Federal Court of Appeal will take place the week of June 23, 2014.

The case in question, Tabingo v. Canada (Citizenship and Immigration), concerns the decision to eliminate backlogged applications to the Federal Skilled Worker Program. This decision, which was made in 2012, affects almost 300,000 applications.

The case was originally dismissed by the Federal Court last year. As with the Quebec case, Attorney David Cohen is acting as a co-counsel.

Updates on these court cases will be provided in the next edition of CIC News.