News Release

Appointment to the IRB

Ottawa, August 8, 2007 — The Honourable Diane Finley, Minister of Citizenship and Immigration, today announced a full-time appointment to the Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada (IRB). Harriet Wolman was appointed to a three-year term in Toronto. This appointment was made in accordance with the IRB’s merit-based appointment process.

Prior to her appointment, Ms. Wolman, a former member of the Board, worked as the director of the Youth Employment Strategy study and was a member of the Social Assistance Review Board for the Province of Ontario. She also worked as a special assistant to a provincial Cabinet minister and to federal ministers of immigration. Ms. Wolman was Chair of the York School Board and a trustee of the Metropolitan Toronto School Board. She received her Bachelor of Arts from the University of Toronto.

Created in 1989, the IRB is an independent administrative tribunal that reports to Parliament through the Minister of Citizenship and Immigration. 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:

Tim Vail
Minister’s Office
Citizenship and Immigration Canada
613-954-1064