Citizenship and Immigration Canada
www.cic.gc.ca
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Designated countries of origin
Most Canadians recognize that there are places in the world where it is less likely for a person to be persecuted compared to other areas. Yet many people from these places try to claim asylum in Canada, but are later found not to need protection.
This suggests that they may be using Canada’s asylum system to jump the immigration queue. Too much time and too many resources are spent reviewing these unfounded claims.
Designated countries of origin will include countries that do not normally produce refugees, that have a robust human rights record and offer strong state protection. States with strong democratic, judicial and accountability systems are likely to provide the necessary protection to their citizens.
Claimants from designated countries of origin will still be entitled to receive a fair hearing at the Immigration and Refugee Board (IRB). Hearings on these claims are expected to be held within 60 days as opposed to the 90-day timeframe for other refugee claimants. These timeframes will be specified in regulations.
However, in the event of a negative decision, claimants from designated countries of origin will have an expedited appeal process before the Refugee Appeal Division. These appeal decisions are expected within 30 days, unless a hearing is held, as opposed to the regular processing time target, which is 120 days for all other claimants.
Initially, no countries will be designated. A country can be considered for designation only if:
- the number of claims for refugee protection is equal to or greater than the number of claims specified in the regulations that will be developed later; and
- the rate of acceptance by the RPD is equal to or lower than the rate set out in regulations.
In addition, the following criteria will also be taken into account:
- the human rights record of the country; and
- the availability in the country of mechanisms for seeking protection and redress.
