Benton advises and represents clients on Vancouver Island and from around the world to develop pathways to temporary and permanent residence for international students, skilled workers, professionals, executives, the self-employed and entrepreneurs.

Benton assists employers to address their skills needs with temporary work authorization and permanent residence solutions. He advises on compliance with Canadian foreign worker protection regimes. Benton helps employers apply for Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) – and to find exemptions whenever possible!

Following his call to the bar, Benton joined the Canadian Foreign Service and was posted as a visa officer to Moscow and Singapore. While serving overseas he delivered Canada’s immigration program, managing and deciding on worker, family and refugee applications in these regions. On return to Vancouver, Benton represented federal authorities before the Federal Court and IRB.

Benton next joined the provincial public service in Victoria, managing various portfolios, including the BC Provincial Nominee Program’s stream for skilled workers, and policy development and initiatives to attract workers. He left government in 2013 to provide immigration legal services to private clients.

Benton is an active member of the immigration bar, having served on the Canadian Bar Association’s BC section executive, on the national conference organizing committee and as part of various working groups. He has presented on topics such as the BC PNP, Express Entry (Canadian Experience Class, Federal Skilled Workers and Trades) and exemptions from temporary work permits on CBA and CLE panels.