News Release - Minister Calls for Independent Review of Immigration and Refugee Board Selection Process

OTTAWA, November 3, 2006 — The Honourable Monte Solberg, Minister of Citizenship and Immigration, announced today that he has asked for an independent review of the selection process for making appointments to the Immigration and Refugee Board (IRB).

“Changes were made to the selection process in 2004. This review will allow us to determine the effectiveness of the current process,” Minister Solberg said. “In the interim, the government will continue to appoint qualified individuals to the IRB.”

The review will be undertaken by the Public Appointments Commission Secretariat and is expected to be completed in early December.

The Public Appointments Commission Secretariat was created to provide support to the government in achieving its objective of more open, transparent and competency-based selection processes for Governor in Council appointments to agencies, boards, commissions and Crown corporations. The Secretariat is laying the groundwork in preparation for the establishment of the Public Appointments Commission, which is provided for in the Federal Accountability Act.

For further information (media only), please contact:

Lesley Harmer
Director of Communications
Office of the Minister
613-954-1064

Backgrounder:

• Immigration and Refugee Board selection process