Heron Law is proud to share that Karina Juma, Canadian Immigration & Refugee Lawyer at our firm, is speaking on Thursday, November 5, 2026 at the Canadian Bar Association Immigration Law Section’s online session, The Changing Face of Refugee Protection: From Bill C-12 to the Online Portal.
2026 has been one of the most consequential years for Canadian refugee practice since the establishment of the Refugee Appeal Division. New legislation, rule amendments and changes to how claims are filed have reshaped the work of refugee practitioners, and the people they represent feel those changes first.
A panel spanning practice, government and the tribunal
Karina joins a panel that brings together perspectives from every side of the refugee system:
- Joshua Prowse, Lawyer, Haven Law
- Martin Mundel, Senior Director, Asylum Program Division, Asylum Branch, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada
- Gary Dukeshire, Senior Counsel, Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada
- Karina Juma, Canadian Immigration & Refugee Lawyer, Heron Law
Having counsel, IRCC and the IRB in one conversation makes for a rare and practical look at how these changes are playing out on the ground.
What these changes mean for refugee claimants in Canada
The 90-minute session takes a practical look at three areas of change:
- The online refugee claims portal. How changes to the portal are affecting the way claims are prepared and submitted.
- Amendments to the Refugee Protection Division Rules and the Immigration and Refugee Protection Regulations. What practitioners need to know and how the amendments change day-to-day practice.
- Bill C-12. How the legislation is affecting refugee practitioners and their clients.
Why it matters for claimants
Behind every procedural change is a person seeking protection. Shifts in filing systems, deadlines and procedural rules can decide whether a claimant’s story is heard fully and fairly.
Karina brings a frontline perspective to the panel, grounded in her daily work representing refugee claimants. Her focus is on what these changes mean in practice: for the people navigating the system, and for the counsel working to make sure their claims are presented with care.
We are grateful to the CBA Immigration Law Section for convening this conversation, and to Karina’s fellow panelists for sharing their insight with the profession.
If you or someone you know has questions about a refugee claim or the recent changes discussed here, the team at Heron Law is here to help. Contact us to book a consultation.