Today we stand on the threshold of a new year, it is a time for reflection and anticipation. At MBLAW, we take a moment to look back at the achievements of the past year and set our sights on the goals for 2025.
The year 2024 was a challenging period for many of our clients, particularly in the realms of real estate and immigration. In Ontario’s real estate market, the year began with elevated mortgage rates, a consequence of the Bank of Canada’s efforts to curb inflation. These high rates made it more difficult for potential buyers to qualify for mortgages, leading to a slowdown in market activity. Although there were modest rate reductions as the year progressed, they were insufficient to significantly boost affordability. As a result, many prospective homeowners found themselves sidelined, unable to enter the market due to stringent lending criteria and the persistent challenge of high borrowing costs.
Simultaneously, the immigration landscape underwent notable changes. The Canadian government introduced new regulations affecting international students and graduates, aiming to balance population growth with available resources. These policy shifts included capping the number of international student permits and altering post-graduation work permit eligibility. The government also took steps to reduce the number of temporary residents, reflecting concerns about housing shortages and infrastructure strain. Such changes created uncertainty for those aspiring to study, work, and eventually settle in Canada, necessitating careful navigation of the evolving immigration system.
At MBLAW Professional Corporation, we understood the complexities our clients faced amid these developments. The interplay of high mortgage rates and evolving immigration policies required individuals and families to make informed, strategic decisions regarding their futures. Throughout the year, our commitment remained steadfast—to provide clear, practical guidance to help our clients successfully navigate these challenges, ensuring they were well-equipped to achieve their real estate and immigration goals despite the obstacles presented in 2024.
Looking Back: A Year of Accomplishments
Despite facing a challenging real estate market in Toronto, our dedicated team has successfully closed approximately 400 property transactions. This feat underscores our expertise and commitment to providing top-notch legal services in the real estate sector. Our ability to navigate the complexities of the market has not only benefited our clients but also enhanced our reputation as a reliable partner.
One of the highlights of the year was the expansion of our immigration services. Recognizing the unique needs of our clients from Israel and Ukraine, we adapted our services to cater to those seeking to transition from the Open Work Permit to permanent residency in Canada. This expansion demonstrates our responsiveness to global events and our capacity to offer tailored legal solutions.
Looking ahead, innovation will be a key focus for MBLAW in 2025. We are currently working on automating some of our services, such as booking and payment for consultations, scheduling document signing, and offering certain notarial services online. These advancements are part of our commitment to enhancing client experience, making our services more accessible, and streamlining our operations.
As we bid farewell to 2024 and welcome 2025, MBLAW stands poised to continue delivering exceptional legal services. Our dedication to our clients, commitment to innovation, and embrace of diversity and inclusion are the pillars that will guide us in the coming year. We are excited about the opportunities that 2025 will bring and remain steadfast in our mission to provide expert legal guidance and support to our clients.
What to Expect in 2025
We are thrilled to announce exciting developments for the upcoming year:
Monthly Informational Webinars
Starting in January 2025, we will continue our tradition of hosting monthly webinars focused on key topics related to immigration law and real estate transactions in Ontario. These webinars provide practical information and updates on the most relevant legal issues affecting individuals and families planning real estate transactions or pursuing immigration pathways.
Each webinar will focus on a specific subject, such as “Immigration to Canada. First steps”, “Express Entry. Strategies to maximize chances” or recent changes in Canadian Real Estate Law. Attendees will receive detailed explanations, step-by-step process guides, and answers to common legal questions that arise during transactions and applications.
Our webinars will be conducted online to ensure accessibility regardless of your location. Participants will have the opportunity to submit questions ahead of time and during the sessions. Recordings and supplementary materials will be provided after each event to support further learning.
The full webinar schedule and registration details will be see here. These sessions are designed to help you better understand your legal options and make informed decisions about real estate and immigration matters in Ontario.
Expanded Immigration Consultations
To better support our diverse clientele, we have expanded our immigration consultation services and made them more accessible. We understand how important the first contact can be when exploring legal representation, so we have decided to keep our free Express Consultations on a permanent basis. Initially launched as a limited-time offer, these consultations have proven invaluable for potential clients seeking a first point of contact without any financial commitment.
We now offer two types of immigration consultations:
- Free Express 30-minute Online Consultations in Russian: These sessions provide a preliminary review of specific immigration-related questions. They allow potential clients to get to know our team, understand our approach, and evaluate how we can assist them in their immigration journey.
- Comprehensive Paid Consultations in English and Russian: These consultations are designed for individuals and families seeking detailed, personalized legal advice on any immigration program, policy, or issue. They cover a wide range of topics, offering in-depth guidance tailored to your unique situation.
For more information about these services, including how to book a consultation and review the terms, please visit our Immigration Consultations page here.
Digital Products Store Launch
We are excited to announce the launch of our Digital Products Store—a resource designed to support not only real estate professionals and mortgage brokers but also individuals planning real estate transactions or immigration processes in the coming year. Our goal is to simplify complex legal procedures by providing well-structured, easy-to-use digital products tailored to a variety of legal needs.
For Real Estate Transactions
Whether you are buying, selling, or refinancing property in Ontario, our store features practical tools to help you navigate every stage of the process. Homebuyers and sellers will find detailed checklists for real estate transactions, document templates, and guides explaining common legal terms and procedures.
For Immigration Applications
For those planning to immigrate to Canada, our store offers expertly crafted guides and templates covering various immigration programs. Independent applicants will find step-by-step instructions for completing essential forms, as well as checklists ensuring that no critical details are missed. We also provide templates for letters of explanation, supporting documentation guides, and comprehensive overviews of current immigration policies.
These resources are designed to empower individuals who prefer a DIY approach while ensuring that they have access to accurate, up-to-date legal information prepared by experienced professionals.
We will be continuously adding new products throughout 2025, reflecting the latest legal updates and best practices in both real estate and immigration law. We invite you to explore our growing collection of digital products and discover how our tools can simplify your legal journey.
Visit our Digital Products Store for more details and start exploring the resources we have prepared to make your legal processes easier and more efficient.
New Legal Services
We have expanded our legal services to provide greater flexibility and convenience through online booking and payment options.
Commissioning of Oaths Services
Our Commissioning of Oaths services are now available both online and in person at our Toronto office. This service includes administering oaths, affirmations, and statutory declarations required for various legal purposes. You can easily select, book, and pay for your preferred appointment type—whether virtual or in-office—through our online platform.
Notary Public Services
For clients requiring Notary Public services, we offer in-person appointments at our Toronto office. These services include document notarization, certified true copies, affidavits, and statutory declarations. Appointments can be scheduled online, ensuring a streamlined process from booking to document finalization.
We designed these services with your convenience in mind, offering secure online payments, flexible scheduling, and personalized service tailored to your legal needs. We invite you to learn more about the full range of our Notary Public and Commissioning services.
Happy New Year 2025
Dear Valued Clients and Partners,
As the New Year 2025 approaches, we at MBLAW extend our warmest greetings to you and your loved ones. This is a time of reflection, celebration, and anticipation for what the future holds.
May the coming year bring peace to your world, health to your body, harmony in your relationships, and love in your heart. These timeless treasures are the foundation of a fulfilling life, and we hope they flourish abundantly for you in 2025.
For those of you planning significant milestones – be it navigating real estate transactions or embarking on the journey of immigration to Canada – we wish you wise planning and steadfast resolve. These endeavors, while challenging, are steps towards realizing your dreams and we commend your courage and patience in pursuing them.
Remember, every great achievement begins with the decision to try. As you step into the New Year, we encourage you to embrace each opportunity with determination and optimism. Let us move forward with the belief that our plans and aspirations are not just mere wishes, but blueprints for our future successes.
We are here to support you in every significant step, providing expert guidance and unwavering support. Your trust in us is our greatest honor, and we commit to continuing our journey together with integrity, professionalism, and compassion.
As you celebrate the arrival of the New Year, may it be a time of joy and reflection. Let us cherish the memories we have made and look forward to those yet to come. Together, let’s make 2025 a year of growth, achievement, and happiness.
Wishing you a New Year filled with new adventures, new opportunities, and new chapters to write in your life story.
Happy New Year 2025!
With warmest regards,
The MBLAW Professional Corporation Team