Canada: Not so welcoming? Despite its sterling reputation as a haven for immigrants, Canada’s refusal rate for visitor visas has skyrocketed, reported The Globe and Mail in early July (Access denied: Canada’s refusal rate for visas soars; July 9, 2018). The number of rejections for short-stay visits has more than doubled since 2012, with 600,000 people refused entry last year, stated the article. In the first three months of this year, the refusal rate climbed to 30 per cent, up from 18 per cent in 2012, revealed the report. In particular, more than 75 per cent of applications for visitors from countries like Somalia, Yemen, Syria and Afghanistan were regularly rejected. A recent African studies conference at Queen’s University is indicative of this trend: 12 of the invited scholars were either denied a visa or weren’t able to get one in time, said The Globe. While this trend can in part be explained by the huge surge in applicants – around 2.3 million applications were made in 2017 compared to just 1.3 million in 2012 – rejec- tions have skyrocketed at a faster pace, stated the article. The findings were corroborated, anecdotally at least, in an opinion piece by Alex Neve, secretary general of Amnesty International, published in the same paper three days later (Canada needs to fix its broken visa system; July 12, 2018). According to Neve, conferences organized in Canada by the human rights organization inevitably face numerous visa challenges bringing in global speakers, including renowned scholars in their field. Wrote Neve: “… events and conferences taking a global view on pressing issues of rights, justice and the environ- ment have come to expect the inevitable announcement that a number of colleagues are not present because they were unable to obtain a visa.” Neve went on to say that Ottawa “must rethink how applications for visas are handled.” New hire, new CRP designations at Aires Rob O’Donnell, PHR, joined Aires as vice president of organizational development, where he is responsible for leading the company’s HR department. O’Donnell has more than 30 years of management, HR, organizational development, and business consulting experience, most recently with Solutions 21 as its managing director of consulting services. In other news, 13 of Aires’ employees recently obtained the new Certified Relocation Professional (CRP) designa- tions from Worldwide ERC. All candidates who prepared for this year’s certification successfully passed the exam, bringing Aires' total number of CRP-designated employees to 137.   Bayview Hospitality welcomes new managers Bayview Hospitality Group, owner and operator of Homewood Suites by Hilton Ottawa/Kanata and Resi- dences at Kanata Lakes operations, announced three new key appointments at the two hotels. Dawit Tenna joined Homewood Suites by Hilton Ottawa/Kanata as its new sales manager, with respon- sibilities that include networking and assessing the needs of local businesses, working with the general manager to facilitate marketing efforts, and overseeing sales initiatives. Ilhan Kodalak, the new general manager for both properties, is responsible for directing all aspects of both hotel and apartment operations, including guest and tenant services, property administration, and marketing efforts. At Residences at Kanata Lakes, Holly MacDonald, the property’s new leasing manager, is responsible for leasing operations, property management administra- tion, and assisting with sales and marketing initiatives for the new apartment complex. INDUSTRY NEWS 20 PERSPECTIVES Fall 2018