News Release

Minister Sgro announces reform of the appointment process for Immigration and Refugee Board members

OTTAWA, March 16, 2004 — Judy Sgro, Minister of Citizenship and Immigration, today announced changes to the appointment process for the Immigration and Refugee Board (IRB) to eliminate political patronage, strengthen the criteria for the Board and increase parliamentary review.

“We are professionalizing the process by which IRB appointments are made. The result will be a more transparent and effective IRB, one in which Canadians can have even greater confidence,” said Minister Sgro. “The Prime Minister spoke of a reformed IRB appointment process last December and the government is now delivering on its commitment. The changes will be effective within 90 days.”

Changes to the process include:

• Candidates will be screened against strengthened merit-based criteria.
• Candidates’ applications will be screened by an advisory panel of lawyers, academics, members of organizations that assist newcomers to Canada and human resources experts. Selected candidates will be interviewed by a selection board, chaired by the IRB chairperson and made up of experts with an in-depth understanding of the IRB and its decision-making processes.
• The final selection of appointees by the Minister will be based on the recommendations of the IRB chairperson.
• The selection and appointment of future IRB chairpersons will be based on a public competition process and the recommendation of the Minister, and reviewed by the Standing Committee on Citizenship and Immigration.

“Refugee determination is one of the most difficult forms of decision making,” said IRB Chairperson Jean-Guy Fleury. “These decisions are made in an increasingly complex and changing global environment. As IRB Chairperson, I will ensure that the Board, on behalf of Canadians, pursues its commitment to making well-reasoned decisions that are both efficient and fair to individuals who appear before our tribunal.”

Created in 1989, the IRB is an independent administrative tribunal that reports to Parliament through the Minister of Citizenship and Immigration. The Board has three divisions—the Refugee Protection Division, the Immigration Appeal Division and the Immigration Division. The IRB hears refugee protection claims made in Canada, considers immigration appeals, holds admissibility hearings and conducts detention reviews.

The appointment process will be reviewed by the Standing Committee on Citizenship and Immigration within the next year to ensure that the goals of this reform are being met.

For more information:

Simone Mac Andrew
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister
(613) 957-8129

Jean-Pierre Morin
Media Relations
Communications Branch
(613) 941-7712

Dominique Forget
Manager, External Communications
Immigration and Refugee Board
(613) 947-0803

Visit IRB Internet site.

Backgrounder:

• Reform of the Immigration and Refugee Board’s Governor in Council appointment process