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

Ottawa, April 26, 2010 — Today the Honourable Jason Kenney, Minister of Citizenship and Immigration, announced appointments to the Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada (IRB).

In the Vancouver regional office, Philippe Doré was appointed for a three–year term. In the Montreal regional office, Anna Maria Silvestri was reappointed for a one–year term.

This appointment and reappointment was made in accordance with the IRB’s merit-based appointment process.

Minister Kenney is committed to delivering on the Government of Canada’s promise to fill vacancies on the Board with qualified individuals as quickly as possible after vacancies arise. Since October 2008, the Minister has made 65 appointments and 34 reappointments to the IRB. With today’s announcement, the IRB is at 98% 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

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

Backgrounder

• Appointment and reappointment to the Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada