Maple News reports the passing of David Cohen, one of Canada’s most influential immigration lawyers and digital pioneers, who died on May 14, 2021, at his home in Montreal, surrounded by his family. At the age of 74, Cohen succumbed to cancer after overcoming the disease multiple times. His legacy spans nearly five decades and touches millions who aspired to call Canada their home.
Cohen was more than a lawyer—he was a visionary who foresaw the power of the Internet long before it was fashionable in the legal world. In 1994, he launched CanadaVisa.com to digitally extend the reach of his law firm, Campbell Cohen. What began as a simple tool for client acquisition evolved into a vast, thriving ecosystem offering free information, forums, eligibility tools, and news via CIC News—resources that are still widely relied upon by immigration hopefuls around the world.
What set Cohen apart was his strong belief in accessibility and fairness. At a time when many lawyers feared that sharing information online would jeopardize business, he embraced it. By launching one of the first online points calculators for skilled worker immigration, newsletters, and forums, he empowered people to take the first steps on their immigration journey independently. His approach ultimately helped democratize access to Canadian immigration information.
Rooted in a profound sense of justice shaped by his family’s immigration history and the loss his grandfather endured fleeing antisemitic violence in Europe, Cohen dedicated his career to making immigration more just. In 2008, he publicly opposed Bill C-50, warning that it could open the door to discrimination by giving excessive discretionary power to the immigration minister.
Cohen also used his platform and network to support the Private Sponsorship of Refugees Program, leading a 2015 initiative to resettle Syrian refugee families in Canada. His commitment extended beyond policy and business—he cared deeply for people, particularly newcomers seeking better lives for their children.
A McGill University law graduate, Cohen’s path wasn’t always traditional. He explored fashion entrepreneurship in New York before embracing immigration law in the late 1970s. As Canada introduced new business immigration streams and refugee programs, he saw opportunities not just for legal work but for nation-building.
At the helm of a team of 60 staff, Cohen was demanding yet deeply loyal. To many employees, he was a mentor or second father. Even as he battled illness privately, he continued to lead, write, and guide the vision of CanadaVisa and CIC News until his very last day.
Despite a life full of complexity, David Cohen remained centered on a single, powerful idea: helping others. In his final reflections, he expressed nothing but gratitude. “If this is it, I don’t feel cheated,” he told his rabbi. “I feel so blessed that this is the life I’ve lived.”
David Cohen leaves behind not only a family who adored him—including his six children—but also a global community shaped by his lifelong work. His contribution to Canadian immigration cannot be overstated. Through information, advocacy, and innovation, Cohen helped build a more accessible and welcoming Canada.