This blog serves in part to update the previous article Canada toughens its Immigrant Investor Program: will a counterintuitive strategy succeed? which we posted on July 14, 2010.
Under the Canadian immigration system, a person who qualifies for and is accepted under the Immigrant Investor route automatically becomes a Permanent Resident of Canada. Other than maintaining residency requirements applicable to all Permanent Residents, no conditions are attached. The immediate family of the Investor obtains Permanent Resident status at the same time. The program has proved very popular over the years and significant benefit to Canada has resulted from the investments made by the approved candidates. Read More
Using counterintuitive thinking
Sometimes in life better results can be achieved by using counterintuitive thinking.
For example, when playing violin, by accident I may bow on a second string in addition to the string intended. So instead of playing F# on the D string, my bow ends up touching (and playing) the G string at the same time, resulting in the wrong note.
To improve my accuracy, Elizabeth Adams, my violin teacher at the McGill Conservatory, suggested I begin my practice sessions playing double stops—two strings at the same time—controlling my bow to ensure I avoid playing only one string while doing so. Then, she said, practice the pieces I am working on and it will be easier to hit the (single) notes I am supposed to be playing.
I have been following this recommendation for about two weeks now and my bow strokes are definitely becoming more accurate. Who would have thought that you should practice what you are supposed to be avoiding (playing two strings at once) to get better at playing one string?
Counterintuitive thinking seems to be behind new, important changes to Canada’s federal Immigrant Investor Program. Read More
"The first thing we do, let's kill all the lawyers."
These famous words from the English poet Shakespeare are often quoted by journalists and other social commentators to reflect perceived disdain for the legal profession. For example, such a commentator might cite that quote during his speech, glance at the audience with an air of sophistication, and pause for what he expects will be laughter and applause. From his smug manner when delivering this “joke”, the speaker might give the impression he believes he is first one to have discovered Shakespeare’s writings.
No group of lawyers is criticized more vigorously by such commentators than criminal defence attorneys. Read More