News Release – Government of Canada announces three appointments to the Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada

Ottawa, November 3, 2010 — Three appointments to the Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada (IRB) were announced today by Citizenship, Immigration and Multiculturalism Minister Jason Kenney.

Annie Lafleur was appointed to the Montréal regional office, Luis F. Agostinho was appointed to the Toronto regional office and Ronald Yamauchi was appointed to the Vancouver regional office.

These appointments were 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 83 appointments and 39 reappointments to the IRB. The IRB has been at 80% or above of its full complement since January 2009, and at 95% or above of its full complement since November 2009.

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

• Appointments to the Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada