Announcement from the Chairperson Regarding the Independent Review of
Cases Heard by a Member Recently Criminally Charged
Ottawa, October 23, 2006 On
17 October 2006, when I appeared before the House Standing Committee on
Citizenship and Immigration, I indicated that I would initiate an outside,
independent review of the cases heard by a member who was charged recently
with breach of trust under the Criminal Code and a violation under the
Immigration and Refugee Protection Act
(IRPA). I committed to retaining an independent expert counsel
to lead this review.
Today I am pleased to announce that Clare Lewis, Q.C., the Complaints
Resolution Commissioner of the Law Society of Upper Canada, has agreed
to conduct this review. Prior to accepting his current position with the
Law Society, Mr. Lewis has had an extensive career resolving public complaints
including a five-year term as the Ombudsman of Ontario. After he was called
to the Bar of Ontario in 1965, his impressive legal career has included
practice as defense counsel, prosecutor and judge. Mr. Lewis has earned
a Masters in Law from Osgoode Hall and has held numerous positions with
professional organizations including President of the Provincial Judges
Association-Ontario (Criminal Division) and President of the International
Association for Civilian Oversight of Law Enforcement.
Mr Lewis will provide advice to me regarding the scope and means of the
review of the member’s case files. The subsequent review will be
conducted by IRB officials under the direction of Mr. Lewis. Once the
review has been completed, he will provide me with a confidential written
report. Following the receipt of the final report, I will issue a public
statement on this issue.
Both during the review and in the subsequent public statement, the confidentiality
of claimants’ information and personal information of other individuals
will be respected, as required by the Immigration
and Refugee Protection Act and the Privacy
Act.
I would like to thank Mr. Lewis for agreeing to perform this service
for the IRB and for Canadians. The IRB remains committed to the highest
standards of ethics, and the protection of the rights of those who appear
before us.
Jean-Guy Fleury
Chairperson
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For more information:
Media Relations
Immigration and Refugee Board
(613) 947-0803
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