Canadian Studies Announcements

In this issue:

Meet Canadian Studies: Board Member Pavan Dhillon

This week, we bring your the second profile in a series highlighting our friends and supporters as they share what Canadian Studies means to them. For our second interview, we talked to board member and immigration attorney Pavan Dhillon about how her work drew her to the program, and what she hopes to accomplish on the board.

Pavan was born and raised in an immigrant family in Vancouver, BC. She completed an undergraduate course in international diplomacy at the University of British Columbia, and received her law degree from McGill University. She immigrated to the US in 2012. Pavan currently operates a boutique immigration law firm in San Francisco, focused exclusively on facilitating permanent relocation or cross-border travel to Canada.

Highlights from our interview with Pavan are below; read the full piece here.

On her work as a Canadian immigration attorney:

I have the unique perspective of being one of a handful of Canadian immigration attorneys based in the United States. Therefore I am fortunate to promote Canada on a daily basis to both individuals and companies seeking opportunities, stability, diversity, and tolerance. I did not set out to become an immigration attorney; however, I quickly realized that my ability to empathize with my clients due to my personal and educational background not only transforms their experience, but also provides me with immeasurable fulfillment.

How she became a board member:

My first ever Canadian event in the Bay Area was the Canadian Studies and Digital Moose Lounge annual Thanksgiving event. There, I met program co-director Irene Bloemraad, and we had a lengthy discussion about the immigrant experience in Canada compared to the United States. She invited me to attend an upcoming lecture on a comparative analysis of US and Canadian immigration policy at Berkeley. Attending that event and other symposia revitalized my interest in Canadian Studies and led to me ultimately joining the advisory board.

Why she supports Canadian Studies at Berkeley:

I have always been fascinated by policy, Canada-US relations, and how immigration policy shapes societies, cultures, and the political landscape. One of the things I enjoy the most about Canadian Studies at Berkeley is the colloquia, as it exposes me to cutting-edge research and innovative studies. I value the opportunity to connect with thought leaders in migration studies, indigenous affairs, politics and sociology.

Cook-Along Recipe: Classic Nanaimo Bars

For Canada Day, Canadian Studies board chair David Stewart and the Digital Moose Lounge teamed up with SF-based baker Angela Gonzalez, owner of Dial-A-Dessert, to show you how to whip up a batch of classic Canadian Nanaimo bars. If you missed the live presentation, you’re in luck – you can now watch the video on Youtube here.

Named after the city of Nanaimo, BC, these deliciously custardy, chocolatey treats require no baking and are a perfect recipe to make with kids! A versatile dessert, they’ll fit in everywhere from your Canada Day picnic to a state dinner – President Obama once made them the finale of a banquet for PM Trudeau at the White House.

Canadian Documentaries That Shine Light On Threats to Oceans

Open Thursday at the International Ocean Film Festival

July 30 – August 9

Two new Canadian documentaries covering critical issues facing the country’s waters will be available to stream at home starting this Thursday, July 30. The films will be available to rent online through August 9 as part of the 17th Annual International Ocean Film Festival, sponsored in part by the Consulate General of Canada in San Francisco. Learn more about the festival and register for the virtual screenings here.

The Mill (2019)

52 minutes; English.

Near a First Nations community in Nova Scotia, a paper mill had to stop in January the discharging of waste into noxious ponds that polluted both air and water for decades. The company proposed piping its effluent into the ocean, but met strong opposition from both the native community and fisherfolk. If the mill closes, others will also, putting over 10,000 jobs at risk. Resolving such conflicts is becoming a challenging worldwide problem.

Under Thin Ice (2019)

98 minutes; English.

Extreme divers Jill Heinerth and Mario Cyr explore above and below northern Canada’s ice sheet. It is a hunting ground for beluga whales and narwhals, for walruses and seals that depend on the ice to nurture their young, and for polar bears who live on the ice most of their lives. They all feed on a plethora of sea life, but as the ice melts more each year, their entire ecosystem has come under threat.

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