Letter to the Editor:
Re: "Hardening Attitudes Toward Refugees",
op-ed published in the Montreal Gazette on July 6, 2004
Richard Goldman's op-ed piece makes reference, among other issues, to
the appointment of members at the Immigration and Refugee Board (IRB)
and the fairness of their decisions.
The IRB
plays an important and significant role in Canada's immigration and refugee
program. Indeed, more than 44,000 refugee claim decisions are made
every year by 190 members. Refugee determination is among the most
demanding forms of decision-making. With the global environment changing
and becoming increasingly more complex, the work of these members is all
the more challenging.
Recent changes to the member appointment process announced by the Minister
of Citizenship and Immigration are a response to these challenges. But,
most importantly, they reflect the Board's continuing commitment to fairness
and due process. Indeed, our decision-making processes are designed to
uphold these principles in all of its dealings, and the IRB
is recognized around the world as a result. Anyone concerned with the
fairness of the tribunal process has the right to apply to Federal Court
to have a decision reviewed.
The above changes represent a further step in the evolution of the Board's
processes to ensure the quality and effectiveness of decisions by its
members. It also ensures that each member possesses the highest credentials
for the job. I personally am very proud of the exemplary work of our decision-makers,
and can assure all Canadians that their values of compassion and justice
are reflected in the decisions of the IRB.
Jean-Guy Fleury
Chairperson
Immigration and Refugee Board
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