Gabriel Chand

Instructor, UBC Certificate in Immigration: Laws, Policies and Procedures

Starting as a student, then becoming an instructional assistant and finally working as an instructor has offered Gabriel Chand experience in all aspects of the UBC Certificate in Immigration: Laws, Policies and Procedures program over its ten-year history.

Gabriel enrolled in the program when it was first offered in September 2000. At the time, he was working at a law firm before starting law school with the goal of becoming a criminal lawyer. In the firm, he was tasked with immigration files and decided to take the UBC immigration program to help him better understand his work.

While he was in his final module of the program, a position as an instructional assistant became available. "By this time, I realized I wanted to pursue a career assisting immigrants and I accepted the position on the spot," Gabriel recalls.

Over the next few years, he completed his law degree at UBC while working part-time at the law firm and serving as an instructional assistant for the immigration program. Eventually, the opportunity arose to become an instructor in the program. "Teaching is one of the most fulfilling things that I do. I enjoy sharing information and coming up with innovative ways for students to understand complex concepts," he explains.

Gabriel has now established his own law firm, practicing immigration, citizenship and criminal law. He has appeared as lead counsel before the Supreme Court of Canada and also appears regularly before the Immigration and Refugee Board, the Federal Court, the British Columbia Provincial Court, the British Columbia Supreme Court, and the British Columbia Court of Appeal.

Passionate about the clients he represents, Gabriel is currently assisting many of the Tamil migrants who arrived in Canada by boat in August 2010.