Conservatives Are Politicizing Canada’s Immigration and Refugee Board 

OTTAWA – The Conservative government is politicizing Canada’s Immigration and Refugee Board, which should be free from political interference, Liberal Immigration Critic Omar Alghabra charged today. 

“What we are seeing is a clear case of politicization of an institution that should be arms length from political influence,” said Mr. Alghabra.   

“The testimony today is a wake up call for anyone who cares about an objective, fair, and effective refugee determination process.” 

Mr. Alghabra made his comments following testimony from Jean-Guy Fleury, former chairperson of the Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada (IRB) at the House Standing Committee on Citizenship and Immigration. Mr. Fleury resigned as chair in March 2007, saying at the time that the board was facing “difficult times over the past 12-18 months [due to] mounting backlogs and growing processing times.” 

Under questioning from Liberal committee members, Mr. Fleury was able to elaborate on his concerns about the Board.  He said the Conservative government’s plans to allow the minister of immigration to appoint half the members of an independent advisory body leaves the board open to political influences.  

“This is not a step I would have taken,” Mr. Fleury told the committee. 

Mr. Fleury described his pride in accomplishing reforms in the appointment process, but felt that he could not deliver what the Conservatives were asking of him. He said that had the Minister not planned to insert herself into the appointment process, he would have likely remained as chair of the board. 

Mr. Fleury also addressed the failure of the government to appoint and re-appoint board members.  Since taking power last year, the minority Conservatives have allowed the number of vacancies on the board’s 156-member compliment to grow from five to 60. By not filling these posts with new members, or re-appointing members whose terms have lapsed, Mr. Fleury said, “We have lost three hundred years of experience in the last year.”  

Most importantly, Mr. Alghabra said, has been the impact on refugees seeking entry to Canada. 

“The government’s interference and bungling of this file has led to a mounting backlog of refugee claims,” Mr. Alghabra said.  “Longer delays have a significant impact on security, family reunification, prospective refugees living in limbo, and social costs associated with education, health, and social assistance. We must always remember that each claim represents a life or a family at risk.  Failing to make the IRB work means failing to help these people in need.”