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

OTTAWA, November 24, 2006 — The Honourable Monte Solberg, Minister of Citizenship and Immigration, today announced two full-time appointments to the Immigration and Refugee Board (IRB) of Canada. Ivan Lerner was appointed to a three-year term in Montreal, and Kenneth Duncan MacLean was appointed to a three-year term in Toronto. These appointments were made in accordance with the IRB merit-based appointment process.

Prior to his appointment to the Board, Mr. Lerner was a lawyer in private practice, specializing in criminal and penal law. Mr. Lerner received his Bachelor of Laws from McGill University and his Master in Laws from the University of Montreal.

Prior to his appointment to the Board, Mr. MacLean was Vice-Chair and a member of the Ontario Health Professions Appeal and Review Board. He also worked as a director of Corporate Planning and Performance Management with the Alberta Ministry of Community Development. Mr. MacLean received his Bachelor of Arts from the University of Manitoba.

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