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2026-08-06 Your Move to Canada: Cross-Border Real Estate Transactions  

July 14, 2026 by Amy Crabtree Campbell

Check out our latest webinar! Whether you’re an American planning a move to Canada or a Canadian returning home after living in the United States, your real estate decisions can have significant tax and financial consequences. 

The timing of a home sale, deciding whether to keep your U.S. property as a rental, qualifying for a Canadian mortgage, and navigating an unfamiliar real estate market are just a few of the important decisions you’ll face.

Join three experienced professionals for a comprehensive webinar designed specifically for people relocating from the U.S. to Canada. 

Hosted by Canadiana Fest, this session brings together three key professionals that are involved as part of a homebuyer’s journey: a cross-border tax CPA, a Canadian real estate agent, and a Canadian mortgage broker.

Some of the topics covered include:

  • The tax implications of selling your U.S. home, either before or after moving to Canada 
  • The cross-border tax implications of renting out your U.S. home 
  • Canadian and U.S. tax implications for your new Canadian home, including future capital gains
  • Foreign buyer restrictions and taxes, property transfer taxes, and other important home purchase costs 
  • Practical tips for navigating Canada’s housing market
  • Qualifying for a Canadian mortgage 
  • Whether your U.S. credit history can help you obtain financing in Canada
  • The key differences between Canadian and U.S. mortgages

Meet the Authors and Experts: Sonya Dolguina, Karli Shih, and Shahlah Bakar

Sonya Dolguina, CPA, CPA (IL)

Sonya is a dual licensed cross-border tax advisor, and is the co-author of the best-selling book, Your Move to Canada. She has a decade of experience working with Americans and repatriating Canadians navigate one of the most complex transitions of their lives.

 She currently works as a tax consultant in cross-border wealth management, and spends her days helping clients through decisions surrounding real estate, retirement, structuring employment and businesses, and investing. Sonya is located in Vancouver, BC and works with clients across North America. 

Contact: yourmovetocanadabook@gmail.com

Karli Shih- Mortgage Consultant and Broker at Dominion Lending Centres – A Better Way

Karli has 20 years of experience as a consultant in the Canadian mortgage industry.  She works with banks, mortgage companies, alternative lenders, and reverse mortgage providers to arrange mortgage solutions tailored to her clients’ needs.  Her clients span from first-time homebuyers to seasoned investors and commercial borrowers.  Her underwriting and mortgage administration team helps ensure a seamless mortgage process from application through funding.  While Karli provides her services predominantly in British Columbia, her broader team offers mortgage options across the country, including solutions for borrowers envisioning a return or a move to Canada.

Contact Information – Direct  604 992 9891  

karli@karlishih.com

http://www.karlishih.com

Shahlah Bakar, B.A., J.D.

Shahlah is one of Vancouver’s most trusted real estate advisors and ranks in the Top 1% of Greater Vancouver Realtors. Shahlah’s education and experience as a UBC educated Lawyer sets her apart from her colleagues. Her in-depth knowledge of contracts, combined with her experience in high-stakes negotiations are invaluable assets to her clients when navigating a cross-border move with many moving parts.  Shahlah works with a broad range of clients including professionals, families, retirees, first time home buyers, and investors, and prides herself on providing personalized advice tailored to her clients’ unique needs. 

Contact Information: Direct (778) 840-6516 or email homes@shahlahbakar.com

Oakwyn Realty

Channon Russette-Mondoux

Channon is a Canadian dual citizen who moved to the U.S. 20 years ago with her 3 children, following her spouse Dan (U.S. Citizen and Canadian by descent). She is an alumnus of the University of Windsor with a degree in Psychology and Education. During her career in Windsor Ontario, she was a Program Administrator for Canada Revenue Agency for over a decade. Although she will not be addressing issues from a professional standpoint, her business and personal experience and background lend credible insight into the complexities of cross border issues.

A Canadian of primarily French, Irish/Scottish and First Nations heritage, her maternal family originated in New Brunswick but relocated to Ontario in the 1950’s after several cross-border moves. Her paternal family were Scottish immigrants who settled in Dinsmore Saskatchewan, later Toronto and now her family spans the country with a father and brother in British Columbia, sister in Ontario and distant relatives in the Maritimes.

Currently, a Chef and Culinary Instructor at Western Michigan University in Kalamazoo MI, she is also the creator and director of the Canadiana Fest, a grass roots organization that supports the Canadian diaspora and celebrates all things Canadian in the heart of the Midwest.

After experiencing the pandemic, she decided “If I can’t get to Canada, Canada’s coming to me” and created the flagship event The Can Am Peace Jam, the largest Canadian cultural festival south of the 47th parallel. 

Filed Under: Past Webinars Tagged With: Canadiana Fest, cross-border mortgage, Cross-border real estate, Cross-Border Taxes, Dual-citizen investing, Free webinar, Mortgages, Moving to Canada, real estate, Relocation Tips, US to Canada, Webinar

2026-06-11 Webinar Your Move to Canada Playbook: Live with Tax and Financial Experts 

May 28, 2026 by Amy Crabtree Campbell

2026-06-11 Webinar: Your Move to Canada Playbook – Live with Tax and Financial Experts



Join us for a FREE live seminar presented by Canadiana Fest, featuring the authors of “Your Move to Canada: Navigating the Cross-Border Financial and Tax Aspects of a Move from the U.S.” by Sonya Dolguina and Clark Linton  

Clark Linton, CFA and Chartered Retirement Planning Counselor with nearly 30 years of cross‑border wealth experience, and Sonya Dolguina, a dual‑licensed Canadian/U.S. CPA with deep expertise in navigating complex tax matters. Hosted by Channon Mondoux, director and creator of Canadiana Fest—home to year‑round cultural programming, the Henry Sir Comedy Show (July 25), and the Can‑Am Peace Jam (Sept 19)—this session offers clear, practical guidance on managing taxes, investments, retirement accounts, real estate, estate planning, and more when moving between the U.S. and Canada. Whether you’re an American heading north or a Canadian returning home, you’ll gain expert insights from professionals who’ve helped hundreds of families make confident, well‑informed decisions. 

Filed Under: Past Webinars Tagged With: Canadian returning home, Canadiana Fest, Clark Linton CFA, Cross-border financial planning, Cross-border real estate, Cross-border tax, Dual-citizen investing, Estate planning U.S. Canada, Expat financial advice, Expat tax tips, Free webinar, Move to Canada, Sonya Dolguina CPA, U.S. to Canada relocation

2026-03-24 Discover Your Roots: A Deep Dive into Canadian Heritage Parts 1 and 2

March 26, 2026 by Amy Crabtree Campbell

2026-03-24 Discover Your Roots: A Deep Dive into Canadian Heritage Parts 1 and 2

THE RECORDINGS ARE POSTED BELOW

A Two-Part Interaction Genealogy Workshop! Are you ready to uncover the stories hidden in your family tree? Whether you’re just starting or looking to break through a brick wall, join us to explore your Canadian ancestry with expert guidance.

  • Famous Lineage: Could you be descended from a notable Canadian figure?
  • Deep Roots: How many generations back can you actually go?
  • Indigenous Heritage: Do you have many-times-great-grandparents with Indigenous roots?

SESSION 1:

The meeting focused on genealogy research techniques and resources, with Janine Cotugno Guimond providing detailed instructions on tracing Canadian family history. She demonstrated how to use FamilySearch.org, Ancestry.com, and other genealogical websites to find birth, marriage, and death records, with particular emphasis on Quebecois records and French-Canadian naming customs. The session included practical examples of searching census records and building family trees, while Channon Mondoux shared information about Canadiana Fest events and resources. The presentation concluded with a discussion of various genealogical tools and websites, including RootsTech, and addressed questions about documentation, name variations, and religious records.

SESSION 2:

Here is the recording for Session 2:

The song I refer to in this video is “Un Canadien Errant” an ode to Canada by a French Canadian in 1842 after the Great Expulsion. According to Wikipedia, “Un Canadien errant” (“A Wandering Canadian”) is a song written in 1842 by Antoine Gérin-Lajoie after the Lower Canada Rebellion of 1837–1838. Some of the rebels were condemned to death, others forced into exile to the United States and as far as Australia. Gérin-Lajoie wrote the song, about the pain of exile, while taking his classical exams at the Séminaire de Nicolet. The song has become a patriotic anthem for certain groups of Canadians who have at some point in their history experienced the pain of exile. Like with Canadians exiled following the Lower Canada Rebellion, the song has come to hold particular importance for the rebels of the Upper Canada Rebellion, and for the Acadians, who suffered mass deportation from their homeland in the Great Upheaval between 1755 and 1763. The Acadian version is known as “Un Acadien errant”. Whitehorse does my favorite version- you can listen to them here.

Here is the handout for both parts with extensive resources for genealogical research:

Download Geneaology Resources (PDF) here

What We’ll Cover:

This isn’t just a lecture—it’s a hands-on masterclass. Over two sessions, you will:

  • Master the Databases: Watch live demonstrations of essential genealogy tools.
  • Learn the “Do’s & Don’ts”: Avoid common pitfalls in historical research.
  • Build Your Toolbelt: Access genealogy software and research aids to help organize your findings.
  • Source Like a Pro: Learn how to cite your findings so your research stands the test of time.
  • Get Guided Support: Each session ends with a 10-minute moderated Q&A.

To ensure the best experience for our participants, please note:

  • Space is Limited: Attendance is capped at the first 95 registered attendees.
  • Public Service: This workshop is provided FREE as a public service.
  • Focus Areas: This session is strictly for genealogical research. We will not be covering U.S.-to-Canada emigration, Bill C3 implications, or citizenship by descent.

Your Hosts:

  • Channon Russette Mondoux: Director/Creator of Canadiana Fest (Canadian American).
  • Janine Guimont Cotugno: Genealogist with the Kalamazoo Valley Genealogy Society (Canadian by descent)
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Filed Under: Past Webinars Tagged With: Canadiana Fest, CanadianHeritage, Genealogy

2026-02-02 Cultural Programming: Exploring Your Canadian Heritage; Reviewing Bill C3 and the Implications of Citizenship, Culture, and Genealogy

January 28, 2026 by Amy Crabtree Campbell

2026-02-02 Cultural Programming: Exploring Your Canadian Heritage; Reviewing Bill C3 and the Implications of Citizenship, Culture, and Genealogy

View the recording of this event here!

You can find the resources mentioned in the webinar here.

📅 Date: February 2, 2026
⏰ Time: 6:00–7:30 pm EST

What We’ll Cover:

  • A clear walkthrough of Bill C‑3 and the new rules
  • How citizenship law evolved in Canada and why it matters
  • What documents you need to prove your lineage
  • Practical tips for research and applying for proof of citizenship
  • A moderated Q&A so we can answer your questions live

The event is hosted by Channon Russette-Mondoux, founder of Canadiana Fest and a dual Canadian/US citizen. Genealogical information is provided by Janine Cotugno Guimont of the Kalamazoo Valley Genealogical Society, who is of Canadian heritage. Legal information is provided by Emilia Coto at SISU Legal, also a dual Canadian/US citizen. The event will be moderated by Jax Anger Pipe and Dan Mondoux, Canadians by descent.

You can find the resources mentioned in the webinar here.

Here is the post from SISU Legal that explains more about the path to citizenship, and the new rules involved around Bill C-3: https://sisulegal.com/blogs/news/why-canadian-citizenship-by-descent-is-more-complicated-than-it-looks

This webinar is not about migration pathways, it’s about helping people understand and claim the citizenship that may already be theirs. You may be more Canadian than you think!

Filed Under: Past Webinars

Upcoming Events

2026-09-19 Celebrating Culture and Community: Announcing Can Am Peace Jam 2026!

Past Webinars

2026-02-02 Cultural Programming: Exploring Your Canadian Heritage; Reviewing Bill C3 and the Implications of Citizenship, Culture, and Genealogy

2026-03-24 Discover Your Roots: A Deep Dive into Canadian Heritage Parts 1 and 2

2026-06-11 Webinar Your Move to Canada Playbook: Live with Tax and Financial Experts 

2026-08-06 Your Move to Canada: Cross-Border Real Estate Transactions  

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  • Home
  • Events & Webinars!
  • Sponsors & Community Partners!
  • Volunteering!
  • Music & Culture!
  • Food and Dining Options at the Fest!
  • Planning Your Visit!
  • Canadian Education!
  • Media on the Canadiana Fest!
  • Contact Us!
  • About Canadiana Fest!
  • Coming soon: Merchandise!

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