As IRCC’s suspension of the Manitoba Technology Accelerator (MTA) puts hundreds of Start-Up Visa applicants in limbo, Maple News sat down with the CEO of Nova Ventures (Shobeir Abbaszadeh) to discuss their coordinated legal response, the growing movement for parliamentary accountability, and why Canada’s future may depend on entrepreneurs like the ones now stuck waiting.
Maple News: Other groups and voices are launching public efforts too. How is what you’re doing different?
Now is the time for unity. More than ever. Our approach is based on solid legal advice and strategic planning. We’ve consulted top Canadian law firms, including some of the most experienced in public law and class actions. We did the groundwork before making any announcement
Frankly, I’ve seen a few people using this crisis for personal PR, and putting things out on social media or writing letters just for visibility. But that doesn’t necessarily help the affected applicants. It’s one thing to make noise online. It’s another to take real, coordinated action.
Maple News: Can you give an example?
Sure. Take the open letters to the Minister of Immigration that have circulated. Writing to the Minister is fine. But do they actually send the letter, or is it just a post on socials? Is there any parliamentary process being followed?
And what exactly are they asking the Minister to do? Does the IRCC not already know why it suspended MTA? If we want real accountability, we need to apply formal pressure through proper legal channels and through Parliament, not just vague calls on social media. That’s why we’ve retained counsel and structured this properly. But let me be clear. With all due respect, we support all efforts that aim to help applicants, as long as they don’t conflict or confuse the message.
Maple News: What’s Nova Ventures’ connection to MTA?
That’s a fair question. We have no formal relationship with MTA, and we don’t have clients through them. But after the suspension was announced, we were contacted by several of MTA’s former applicants, and many of them are incredibly talented, highly competent entrepreneurs. Some have patented technologies, others are leading innovative startups that Canada would be lucky to host.
We were even in discussions with a few of them for potential investment or advisory support. Then suddenly, everything was frozen. Overnight, their immigration hopes, their business plans, even their family decisions were thrown into uncertainty. It wasn’t just unfair, it felt like a risk to Canada’s future. Denying these people now, after everything they’ve invested, would hurt not just them, but the country. Canada would lose out on real talent.
That’s why we stepped in. We saw a need, we had the legal and organizational ability to help, and we chose to act, even though we had nothing to gain directly. Because that’s what leadership requires.
Maple News: Tell us more about the actions you’re taking.
We’re taking three coordinated steps.
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- Judicial Review: We’ve been filing Federal Court applications challenging the suspension as procedurally unfair. This isn’t just about MTA. It’s about whether IRCC can halt hundreds of applications without individual review or explanation.
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- Legal Options Regarding Harm: We’re also reviewing potential legal remedies related to the wider consequences for affected applicants. This includes assessing responsibility, carefully and legally, without making premature accusations. We’re following our legal team’s advice on this.
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- Parliamentary Action: We are formally requesting that the Minister of Immigration be required to answer in Parliament for the decision to suspend MTA’s designation. Our petition asks Members of Parliament to seek a formal explanation from the Minister and ensure affected applicants are not forgotten in silence. This is not about symbolism. It is about institutional accountability.
Maple News: And what’s the economic argument here?
Canada is not currently experiencing a significant labor shortage. Instead, the challenge is a lack of high-growth economic opportunities and sustainable job creation in key sectors. As the economy evolves, the country urgently needs more innovation, business formation, and investment
That’s why immigrant founders are so important right now. They bring capital, ideas, and the drive to create real businesses. We need more of that, not less.
We’re already seeing strong action from this government, and we want to support that. I’ve been part of economic transformation myself. I helped build one of the largest steel manufacturing operations in the Middle East. So I know how hard it is to shift an economy at scale. It’s like renovating an entire country, and that doesn’t happen without builders.
These Start-Up founders are those builders. They’re ready to invest, create jobs, and contribute. Canada needs them now more than ever.
Maple News: Is your initiative open to all?
Absolutely. Our platform is open to any applicant affected by the MTA suspension, regardless of who their lawyer or representative is. It’s free to join and there’s no obligation. You don’t need to switch legal firms or pay anything to be part of this initiative.
We’re doing this because we believe in the Start-Up Visa program and in Canada’s future. And we believe in doing things the right way. Not just loudly, but legally and effectively.
Maple News: Who is supporting you in this campaign?
As I’ve said, this campaign is completely free for affected MTA clients to join. But of course, legal work at this level involves real costs, especially when filing in Federal Court and preparing potential future actions.
To make that possible, we reached out to a few respected professionals in the immigration space who shared our concern for the applicants. I want to sincerely thank Mr. Fariborz Ziai, a highly experienced RCIC and the CEO of Ziai & Associates, for his early and generous support. We’ve also received backing from PR Immigration, Canadian Immigration Consultant, Abravani Professional Immigration Services, and others who stepped forward not for publicity, but to stand behind these entrepreneurs when it counted.
We’re grateful for that support. And if other firms want to sponsor the campaign and help us sustain this effort, we absolutely welcome it, as long as it’s grounded in the same principle: putting the applicants first.
Join the Campaign
To date, over 500 applicants have already joined the coordinated legal and parliamentary action. If you are an MTA associated Start-Up Visa applicant and want to be included, please visit:
Participation is free and confidential. Your registration helps ensure your voice is counted as this campaign moves forward through the courts and Parliament.