News Release - Appointments to the Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada

OTTAWA, November 15, 2006 — The Honourable Monte Solberg, Minister of Citizenship and Immigration, today announced two full-time appointments to the Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada (IRB). Marlene Hogarth and Daniel McSweeney were appointed to three-year terms in Toronto. These appointments were made in accordance with the IRB merit-based appointment process.

Prior to her appointment to the Board, Ms. Hogarth was a member of the Social Benefits Tribunal with the Ministry of Community and Social Services. She also served as Co-Chair of the Medical Review Committee with the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care. Ms. Hogarth received her Ontario Teacher’s Certificate from Lakehead University in Thunder Bay.

Prior to his appointment to the Board, Mr. McSweeney was the Principal of Client Centred Consulting. He also served with Cancer Care Ontario and with the Lakeshore Area Multi-Service Project (LAMP) Community Health and Multi-Service Centre. Mr. McSweeney received his Bachelor of Arts from the University of Ottawa and his Master of Social Work degree from the University of Toronto.

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 determines refugee protection claims made in Canada, hears immigration appeals, and conducts admissibility hearings and detention reviews.

For more information (media inquiries), please contact:

Pema Lhalungpa
Press Secretary
Minister’s Office
Citizenship and Immigration Canada
613-954-1064