News Release – Minister Kenney announces appointment to the Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada

Ottawa, December 14, 2009 — An appointment to the Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada (IRB) was announced today by Citizenship, Immigration and Multiculturalism Minister Jason Kenney.

“This government is committed to delivering on our promise to fill vacancies on the Board with qualified individuals as quickly as possible after vacancies arise,” said Minister Kenney.

Gordon C. McRae was appointed for a three-year term in the Vancouver regional office. Prior to his appointment to the Board, he was most recently Officer in Charge of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) Economic Crime Program for British Columbia.

Mr. McRae also held the position of Director of Operations for the United Nations Mission in Kosovo (UNMIK). In addition to his duties with UNMIK, he was the Canadian Contingent Commander. He has devoted his entire career to the RCMP and received the Long Service Medal with gold clasp and stars. Mr. McRae holds a Bachelor of Human Justice from the University of Regina.

This latest appointment was made in accordance with the IRB’s merit-based appointment process. Since October 2008, the Minister has made 61 appointments and 23 reappointments to the IRB. With today’s announcement, the IRB is at 99% of its full complement.

Created in 1989, the IRB is an independent administrative tribunal that reports to Parliament through the Minister of Citizenship, Immigration and Multiculturalism. 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 further information (media only), please contact:

Alykhan Velshi
Minister’s Office
Citizenship and Immigration Canada
Alykhan.Velshi@cic.gc.ca

CIC Media Relations
Communications Branch
Citizenship and Immigration Canada
613-952-1650
CIC-Media-Relations@cic.gc.ca

Backgrounder

• Appointment to the Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada