Bellissimo Law Group PC

Bellissimo Law Group PC is a Canadian law firm based in Toronto, Ontario.[1] The firm specializes in citizenship, immigration, and refugee protection law.[2] Its founder is Mario D. Bellissimo, an immigration lawyer and an author of multiple legal publications.[3]

Bellissimo Law Group PC
IndustryLaw
FoundedToronto, Ontario
FounderMario D. Bellissimo
Websitebellissimolawgroup.com

History

Mario D. Bellissimo is the founder of Bellissimo Law Group Professional Corporation, setting up its head office in Toronto.[4] He graduated from Osgoode Hall Law School and became a Certified Specialist in Citizenship and Immigration Law and Refugee Protection.[5] His experience includes serving as the past Chair of the Canadian Bar Association National Immigration Law Section and an appointed member of the Federal Court Rules Committee.[6][7]

Bellissimo Law Group PC specializes in Canadian citizenship, immigration and refugee law. It deals with individual and corporate litigation, immigration inadmissibility, and protected persons cases.[8] It also handles applications for permanent residency and temporary residency in Canada.[2] The firm has appeared before all immigration tribunals and courts, including the Supreme Court of Canada.[9] In 2005, it provided co-counsel for the Hilewitz v Canada and De Jong v Canada case.[10] In 2017, Bellissimo Law Group PC worked on Hassouna v Canada.[11] The firm represented one of the applicants, successfully reversing an unconstitutional citizenship revocation law.[12][13] Former Justice Jocelyne Gagné ruled that Canadian citizenship is a right and not a privilege.[14][15]

Bellissimo Law Group PC has testified before the Parliament of Canada committees and Senate of Canada committees, contributing to the proposed amendments to citizenship, immigration, and protected persons laws. Bellissimo, a legal expert on medical inadmissibility, spoke about the subject before the Canadian House of Commons Standing Committee on Citizenship and Immigration (CIMM) in 2017.[16][17] Additionally, Bellissimo Law Group PC submitted recommendations to the CIMM in 2022.[18] The brief proposed technological reforms to the use of artificial intelligence to Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC).[19][20]

In 2023, Bellissimo Law Group PC submitted a brief to C-27 regarding the Consumer Privacy Protection Act (CPPA), the Personal Information and Data Protection Tribunal Act (PIDPTA), and the Artificial Intelligence and Data Act (AIDA).[21][22] Its recommendations include the need for a universal Canadian Charter of Digital Rights and Freedoms and legislative right to data security and transparency in the use of AI. It also recommended legislative protections of AI under user control, AI legal training requirements, and legislated external audits.[23] In the same year, Bellissimo testified before the CIMM regarding his analysis of Bill S-8, which involves applying sanctions on foreign nationals.[24][25]

Bellissimo Law Group PC is involved in providing legal analysis and policy papers to the Canadian government.[26][27] Bellissimo has proposed recommendations on behalf of immigration advocacy associations and an individual capacity.[28][29] Bellissimo Law Group PC has served on multiple committees involving the Federal Court of Canada, the Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada (IRB), Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC), the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA), Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC), and the Department of Justice Canada.[30]

Over the years, Bellissimo Law Group PC has been interviewed by numerous media sources as an authority on immigration law. Its print interviews include the National Post, The Globe and Mail, Toronto Star, and others.[31][32][33] Likewise, its television and radio interviews include CBC News, CTV News, OMNI News, and other outlets.[34][35][36] The firm has spoken extensively to the media about international students in Canada.[37][38] In August 2023, Bellissimo appeared in CBC Radio's The Current to analyze the topic and propose changes to the international student system.[39] In addition, Bellissimo has taught immigration law courses and presented at nationwide legal seminars.[40][41][42]

Pro bono

Bellissimo Law Group PC has years of experience handling pro bono cases.[16][43] It acts pro bono for COSTI Immigration Resettlement Services, serving as the Immigration Law and Policy Advisor.[44] In addition, the firm is one of the pro bono partners for Toronto's Hospital for Sick Children (HSC), providing counsel for numerous families.[45] Its work involves helping ill children and their parents at risk of deportation.[46][47]

Publications

Bellissimo Law Group PC has released multiple legal publications about different facets of Canadian immigration law.[48] The works include Canadian Citizenship and Immigration Inadmissibility Law and A Practical Guide to Canadian Citizenship and Inadmissibility.[49][50] In 2019, Bellissimo authored Labour Market Impact Assessments, Compliance and Enforcement: A Practical Guide.[51] He is also an Editor-in-Chief of Immigration Law Reporter and ImmQuest, which examine immigration cases and policies.[3][52]

Bellissimo has also authored Canadian Citizenship and Immigration Inadmissibility: Criminal Law Edition.[53] His other publications include A Practical Guide to Canadian Citizenship and Immigration Inadmissibility Law: Corporate Edition, A Practical Guide to Canadian Citizenship and Immigration Inadmissibility Law: Refugee Law Edition, and A Practical Guide to Canadian Citizenship and Immigration Inadmissibility Law: Immigration Practitioner’s Edition.[54][55][56]

Awards

In 2016, Bellissimo Law Group PC received the Canadian National Pro Bono Law Firm Award from Pro Bono Ontario (PBO).[43] In 2023, PBO and Canadian Lawyer recognized Bellissimo Law Group PC as an awardee for the Best Pro Bono Law Firms in Canada.[57] Additionally, Best Lawyers named Bellissimo as Lawyer of the Year for Immigration Law in Toronto, Canada in 2016, 2018, and 2021 and The Best Lawyers in Canada for Immigration Law in the 2024 edition.[58]

References
  1. "OBA.org - Bellissimo Law Group". Ontario Bar Association. Retrieved 2023-09-19.
  2. "About Bellissimo Law Group PC". Bellissimo Law Group. Retrieved 2023-09-19.
  3. Macnab, Aidan (2018-09-10). "Adapting to change: Top Ten Immigration Boutiques". Canadian Lawyer Magazine. Retrieved 2023-09-19.
  4. O'Brien, Abby; Arsenych, Alex (2023-01-11). "Beloved Ontario chef set to be deported after spending nearly a decade in Canada". CTV News. Retrieved 2023-09-19.
  5. "Notice of Meeting - CIMM (44-1) - No. 16 - House of Commons of Canada". House of Commons of Canada. 2022-04-07. Retrieved 2023-09-19.
  6. "Mario D. Bellissimo, LL.B. C.S." (PDF). The Canadian Bar Association. Retrieved 2023-09-19.
  7. McKiernan, Michael (2018-03-12). "Pushback over rejecting immigrants for health reasons". Law Times. Retrieved 2023-09-19.
  8. MacIntyre, Chris (2023-04-14). "Whitehorse council supports municipal voting rights for permanent residents". CBC News. Retrieved 2023-09-19.
  9. Canada, Supreme Court of (2012-12-03). "Supreme Court of Canada - SCC Case Information - Counsel - 36243". Supreme Court of Canada. Retrieved 2023-09-19.
  10. "Hilewitz v. Canada (Minister of Citizenship and Immigration); De Jong v. Canada (Minister of Citizenship and Immigration) - SCC Cases". Supreme Court of Canada. Retrieved 2023-09-21.
  11. Hassouna v. Canada (Citizenship and Immigration), vol. 4, 2017-05-10, p. 555, retrieved 2023-09-19
  12. Carbert, Michelle (2017-05-10). "Court rules federal government's citizenship revocation process unfair". The Globe and Mail. Retrieved 2023-09-19.
  13. Keung, Nicholas (2017-05-10). "Judge rules feds can't strip citizenship without 'independent' hearing". Toronto Star. Retrieved 2023-09-19.
  14. Ha, Tu Thanh (2017-07-12). "Federal Court voids Canadian citizenship revocation for 312 people". The Globe and Mail. Retrieved 2023-09-19.
  15. Raymer, Elizabeth (2017-05-11). "Naturalized citizens must receive fair hearing before citizenship is stripped". Canadian Lawyer. Retrieved 2023-09-19.
  16. "Evidence - CIMM (42-1) - No. 85 - House of Commons of Canada". House of Commons of Canada. 2017-11-21. Retrieved 2023-09-19.
  17. "Citizenship and Immigration Committee on Nov. 21st, 2017 | openparliament.ca". Open Parliament. 2017-11-21. Retrieved 2023-09-19.
  18. "Differential Outcomes in IRCC Decisions" (PDF). House of Commons of Canada. 2022-04-07. Retrieved 2023-09-19.
  19. "Citizenship and Immigration Committee on April 7th, 2022 | openparliament.ca". Open Parliament. 2022-04-07. Retrieved 2023-09-19.
  20. "The role of AI in the immigration space". Canadian Immigration Lawyers Association. 2023-06-22. Retrieved 2023-09-19.
  21. "Department of Justice - Statement of Potential Charter Impacts". Government of Canada. 2022-11-04. Retrieved 2023-09-21.
  22. "INDU - Bill C-27, Digital Charter Implementation Act, 2022". House of Commons of Canada. 2021-11-22. Retrieved 2023-09-21.
  23. "Bill C-27: Artificial Intelligence and Data Act" (PDF). House of Commons of Canada. 2023-04-11. Retrieved 2023-09-21.
  24. "Foreign Affairs Committee on May 11th, 2023 | openparliament.ca". Open Parliament. 2023-05-11. Retrieved 2023-09-19.
  25. Karadeglija, Anja (2022-10-26). "Hundreds of Russians sanctioned over Ukraine war can still enter Canada". National Post. Retrieved 2023-09-19.
  26. "Meetings #12 - Standing Senate Committee on Foreign Affairs and International Trade (44th Parliament, 1st Session)". Senate of Canada. 2022-06-03. Retrieved 2023-09-21.
  27. "Brief submitted to the House of Commons Standing Committee on Citizenship and Immigration" (PDF). House of Commons of Canada. 2022-02-25. Retrieved 2023-09-21.
  28. "Proceedings of the Standing Senate Committee on Social Affairs, Science and Technology" (PDF). Senate of Canada. Retrieved 2023-09-21.
  29. "Debates of the Senate (Hansard)". Senate of Canada. 2022-06-16. Retrieved 2023-09-21.
  30. "Mario D. Bellissimo". Bellissimo Law Group. Retrieved 2023-09-21.
  31. "Fives times as many Americans applied for refugee status in Canada in November". The National Post. 2016-12-16. Retrieved 2023-09-19.
  32. Lundy, Matt (2022-10-31). "Employers are rushing to fill jobs with temporary foreign workers". The Globe and Mail. Retrieved 2023-09-19.
  33. Keung, Nicholas (2021-11-15). "Canada is refusing more study permits. Is new AI technology to blame?". Toronto Star. Retrieved 2023-09-19.
  34. "Two Nigerian Students Are Heading Home". CBC. 2013-11-18. Retrieved 2023-09-19.
  35. Hicks, Amanda (2023-02-22). "'We are people trying to be Canadian': Northern Ontario family fears for their safety, faces deportation to Mexico". CTV News. Retrieved 2023-09-19.
  36. "I numeri dell'immigrazione in Canada". OMNI News. Retrieved 2023-09-19.
  37. Sachdeva, Rhythm (2022-09-26). "International students' visa backlog due to an outdated system: lawyer". CTVNews. Retrieved 2023-09-19.
  38. Keung, Nicholas (2023-08-25). "How to fix Canada's international student system? These experts have a plan". Toronto Star. Retrieved 2023-09-19.
  39. "Tuesday August 29, 2023 Episode Transcript". CBC Radio. 2023-08-29. Retrieved 2023-09-19.
  40. "CPD - Something for Everybody: TFWP, IMWP, Ontario PNP, Competencies, and Language Proficiency for Immigration". Ashton College. 2021-07-29. Retrieved 2023-09-21.
  41. "The Canadian Bar Association : Year in Review: Critical Immigration Legislative, Policy and Case Law Updates (Archived Video Stream)". The Canadian Bar Association. 2022-12-15. Retrieved 2023-09-21.
  42. "Meet Our Speakers". Canadian Association of Professional Immigration Consultants. Retrieved 2023-09-21.
  43. "Monday, October 17, 2016 | Law Times". Law Times. 2016-10-17. Retrieved 2023-09-19.
  44. "COSTI: Special Advisors". COSTI. Retrieved 2023-09-19.
  45. Alexander, Braden (2015-09-09). "How PBLO and Bay Street are helping the worst off". Precedent Magazine. Retrieved 2023-09-19.
  46. Sossin, Lorne (2016). "The Helping Profession: Can Pro Bono Lawyers Make Sick Children Well?". In Dodek, Adam; Wooley, Alice (eds.). In Search of the Ethical Lawyer: Stories from the Canadian Legal Profession. University of British Columbia Press. pp. 155–156. ISBN 9780774830997.
  47. Coxon, Lisa (2016-09-06). "How Lee Ann Chapman is helping sick kids". Precedent Magazine. Retrieved 2023-09-19.
  48. "Our Publications". Bellissimo Law Group. Retrieved 2023-09-21.
  49. "Research Guides: Immigration & Refugee Law: Immigration Law". Queen's University Library. Retrieved 2023-09-19.
  50. Saddleton, Lucy (2019-11-28). "Meeting need for speed: Top 10 Immigration Boutiques". Canadian Lawyer Magazine. Retrieved 2023-09-19.
  51. "Labour Market Impact Assessments, Compliance and Enforcement: A Practical Guide, Softbound book". Thomson Reuters. 2019-09-23. Retrieved 2023-09-19.
  52. "ImmQuest". Thomson Reuters. 2019-10-11. Retrieved 2023-09-19.
  53. "Canadian Citizenship and Immigration Inadmissibility: Criminal Law Edition, Softbound book". Thomson Reuters. 2014-12-30. Retrieved 2023-09-21.
  54. "A Practical Guide to Canadian Citizenship and Inadmissibility Law - Corporate Edition, Softbound book". Thomson Reuters. 2015-05-29. Retrieved 2023-09-21.
  55. "A Practical Guide to Canadian Citizenship and Inadmissibility - Refugee Law Edition, Softbound book". Thomson Reuters. 2015-06-22. Retrieved 2023-09-21.
  56. "A Practical Guide to Canadian Citizenship and Inadmissibility Law - Immigration Practitioners' Edition, Softbound book". Thomson Reuters. 2015-04-24. Retrieved 2023-09-21.
  57. "Best Pro Bono Law Firms in Canada | 5-Star Pro Bono Firms 2023". Canadian Lawyer. Retrieved 2023-09-21.
  58. "Mario D. Bellissimo C.S. - Toronto, ON - Lawyer". Best Lawyers. Retrieved 2023-09-21.
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