In this episode of Ask Canada Immigration Lawyer, Evelyn Ackah sits down with Andrew Keros, Chief Operating Officer of Engel & Völkers Vancouver, to explore the evolving landscape of Canadian real estate. With over 23 years of experience and a background rooted in a real estate family, Andrew shares his perspective on the Vancouver market’s unique challenges, including limited housing supply, high international demand, and the impact of recent government policies like the foreign buyers' ban and changes to immigration rules.

Andrew emphasizes the importance of collaboration between real estate professionals, legal experts, and immigration advisors to help international buyers navigate the complex Canadian market. He also offers thoughtful ideas to improve housing affordability, such as investing in and revitalizing rural communities across the country. Whether you're a newcomer looking to buy property or simply curious about the intersection of immigration and real estate, this episode offers valuable insights and practical advice.

In this episode of Ask Canada Immigration Lawyer with Evelyn Ackah, Evelyn is joined by her longtime friend and client, Phoebe Fung, the visionary founder of Vin Room, Calgary’s premier wine bar with three thriving locations—including a unique dog-friendly patio at the Calgary International Airport.

Phoebe shares her inspiring story of transitioning from a successful 15-year career in the oil and gas industry to becoming an “accidental restaurateur” who followed her passion for food, wine, and dogs. From securing investor support with no restaurant experience to navigating the challenges of COVID-19, Phoebe’s resilience and innovative spirit shine through. Whether you’re an aspiring entrepreneur, an immigration advocate, or just a dog-loving foodie, this episode is packed with heart, hustle, and honest insight into building a business that’s truly rooted in community.

In this episode of the Ask Canada Immigration Lawyer Evelyn Ackah podcast, Evelyn welcomes John Apuzzo, an international tax leader and partner at MGO, to discuss cross-border tax strategies and financial planning for businesses

and individuals navigating international taxation. Originally from Canada and now based in California, John shares his journey in international tax and his passion for simplifying complex tax structures for his clients.

John has over 25 years of experience in public accounting, having worked at major firms across multiple countries. He specializes in corporate tax planning, international tax restructuring, business valuations, and helping high-net-worth individuals and businesses manage cross-border financial complexities. With extensive expertise in U.S. and Canadian tax systems, John provides valuable insights into tax treaties, restructuring strategies, and navigating the ever-changing global tax landscape.

On the Ask Canada Immigration Lawyer Evelyn Ackah podcast, host Evelyn Ackah shares insights from a recent webinar on navigating work visa options for Canadian professionals seeking opportunities in the United States. In this episode, Evelyn explores the visa categories and strategies that help Canadian professionals cross borders seamlessly.

She covers everything you need to know about the implications of the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA), the TN Visa for skilled professionals, and other work visa options like the L1A and E1. Whether you're professional planning to work in the U.S. or an employer seeking to understand cross-border immigration solutions, this episode offers practical guidance and expert advice.

Join Evelyn as she breaks down visa requirements, discusses application strategies and provides tips for a smooth border-crossing experience.

In this episode of the Ask Canada Immigration Lawyer Evelyn Ackah podcast, Evelyn welcomes Oscar Sy, principal and founding partner at Numis CPA Inc., to discuss cross-border tax and financial strategies for Canadians and Americans. Oscar, a lifelong Vancouverite, shares his career journey from his education at Langara College to his experience at Ernst & Young and how he ultimately decided to start his own firm.

He highlights Numis CPA's unique approach to client service, focusing on responsiveness, cross-border capabilities and goal-oriented strategies. The discussion explores how Numis CPA assists clients with cross-border immigration, including structuring deals, payroll and navigating the complexities of tax systems on both sides of the border.

They also touch upon the firm's support for startups, offering tailored services and educational resources. Finally, Oscar shares his vision for Numis CPA's continued growth and expansion and offers insights into current tax and accounting issues.

In this episode of the Ask Canada Immigration Lawyer Evelyn Ackah podcast, Evelyn Ackah connects with Lars Kushner, founder of Kushner Legal Corporation, to discuss important estate planning considerations for Canadians living in

or moving to the United States. Lars shares his immigration journey from Canada to the U.S., the challenges he faced becoming a certified lawyer in California, and how his legal focus shifted to estate planning. He explains the unique challenges dual residents face, from probate to tax implications, and offers practical advice on how Canadians can protect their assets on both sides of the border.

Tune in to learn more about how estate planning can support a smooth transition to the U.S. and ensure your long-term goals are met.

In this episode of Ask Canada Immigration Lawyer Evelyn Ackah, Evelyn speaks with Mike Frey, President and CEO of Yellow Basket, LLC, based in Houston, TX. With 30 years of experience in business and technology, Mike shares his journey from Microsoft to founding Yellow Basket, a company dedicated to helping businesses streamline operations through automation and systems integration.

As a client of Ackah Law, Mike discusses his seamless transition from the U.S. to Calgary and the impact of technology on team efficiency. Listen in as Mike offers valuable insights on leadership, the importance of the right technology tools, and practical tech tips for business owners.

Canada Immigration Lawyer Evelyn Ackah speaks about criminal inadmissibility in the immigration context. In this episode, Evelyn covers everything you need to know about Temporary Resident Permits (TRP) for Canada, Criminal Rehabilitation and U.S. Visa Waivers.

In this episode, Evelyn dives deep into the complexities of criminal inadmissibility when crossing borders into Canada and the U.S. She covers everything you need to know about Temporary Resident Permits (TRP) for Canada, Criminal Rehabilitation, and U.S. Visa Waivers. Whether you or a loved one have a past conviction or you're an immigration professional seeking to better understand these options, this episode breaks down each process. Join Evelyn as she discusses how to overcome criminal inadmissibility  and how to navigate these legal pathways to ensure a smooth border-crossing experience.

On the Ask Canada Immigration Lawyer Evelyn Ackah podcast, host Evelyn Ackah speaks with Vaida Rissanen, a time management expert. Vaida shares her background in applied mathematics and how she transitioned from being a scientist to starting her own business in time management. She discusses her 12-week-to-success program, which is tailored to the unique needs of legal professionals.

Vaida explains how she helps her clients with time management, email overload, and reducing stress. She also shares success stories of clients who have achieved record revenue, paid off debts, and decluttered their homes. Vaida emphasizes the importance of mindset and implementing systems to improve productivity. She offers a special offer to podcast listeners who reach out to her.

The podcast concludes with a reminder to focus on personal growth and character development.

Vaida Rissanen can be reached through:

• LinkedIn - Vaida Rissanen  | LinkedIn
• Facebook - Facebook
• Instagram - Vaida Rissanen (@vaidarissanen)
• Website - Creaplan Consulting

Here are the key points from Evelyn Ackah's podcast interview with Vaida Rissanen:

Background:

• Evelyn Ackah introduces Vaida Rissanen, a productivity and time management consultant.
• Vaida has a background in applied mathematics and a PhD in applied physics, which led her to focus on creating efficient systems for businesses.

Journey to Time Management Consulting:

• Vaida moved from academia to various business roles, where she discovered her passion for time management.
• She founded her company, Creaplan, in 2021, during the COVID-19 pandemic, to help business owners, particularly lawyers, achieve productivity and balance.

Key Components of the 12-Week-to-Success Program:

• Vaida’s program focuses on setting goals, effective day-to-day and week-to-week planning, and managing calendars.
• She emphasizes starting the day with the most important tasks to avoid reactive and unproductive work patterns.

Tailoring Solutions to Individual Needs:

• Vaida customizes her approach based on detailed client questionnaires and individual needs, accommodating various personal challenges like ADHD or being a parent.
• Fundamental principles remain consistent, but specific tools and techniques are adapted for each client.
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Common Challenges and Solutions for Legal Professionals:

• Common issues include balancing production work with CEO responsibilities, managing overwhelming email volumes, and disorganized calendars.
• Vaida’s program includes effective email management techniques and prioritization strategies to reduce self-created fires and stress.

Success Stories and Impact:

• Clients have achieved record revenues, cleared significant debts, and experienced reduced stress and increased control over their schedules.
• Vaida highlights the importance of foundational skills and maintaining a healthy work-life balance for sustainable success.

On the Ask Canada Immigration Lawyer Evelyn Ackah podcast, host Evelyn Ackah talks with Garth Froese, the president and CEO of Pacific East Research Corporation, and they discuss what it's like being a corporate client of Ackah Business Immigration Law.

Pacific East is a data management company that provides contact information for corporations in the U.S. and protects people from fraud. Garth shares his journey of how he got into the business and his experience trying to enter the U.S. as a Canadian without a work visa. He also talks about his experience working with Ackah Business Immigration Law to obtain an e-Visa for his business and the benefits it has provided for his team to do business in the U.S.

Garth emphasizes the importance of building relationships, treating people with respect, and the impact of positivity and happiness on success. He also shares tips for doing business in the U.S. and retaining a happy and engaged team.Evelyn is grateful for Garth's support and friendship and highlights the importance of taking care of oneself and maintaining a healthy work-life balance.

Garth Froese can be reached through:

• LinkedIn
• Pacific East Research Corporation

Here are the key points from Evelyn Ackah's podcast interview with Garth Froese.

• Business Journey and Visa Challenges:Garth describes his journey in expanding Pacific East Research Corp, including starting a U.S. branch and the challenges faced in obtaining a work visa due to NAFTA regulations. His perseverance in securing the visa underscores the complexities of cross-border business operations.
• Successful Visa Acquisition and Business Operations:With Evelyn's assistance, Garth successfully obtained an E-Visa, enabling smoother cross-border business activities. The E-Visa has facilitated his and his team's ability to conduct business in the U.S., highlighting the importance of professional legal support in navigating immigration processes.
• Homeland Security Policy Changes Post-9/11:Homeland security policies in the United States significantly evolved between 2007 and 2009 in response to the events of 9/11. This period saw the implementation of stricter border controls and other security measures, prompting businesses to adapt and reconsider their operations, particularly those involving cross-border data and staffing.
• Challenges of Business Expansion Across Borders:Expanding a business into different countries involves understanding and adapting to unique regulatory environments and cultural differences. For instance, while Canada offers rich natural resources, the smaller population base compared to the US can pose challenges for businesses expecting similar market dynamics.
• Importance of Personal Well-being in Leadership:Garth emphasized the importance of maintaining personal well-being as a leader, including physical exercise and mental health. He highlighted how taking care of oneself can lead to better leadership effectiveness and overall quality of life, essential for sustained success in business and personal life.

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