Tories to bring in Refugee reforms

Mr.Canada · October 8, 2009

OTTAWA — The government is preparing legislation to streamline the refugee system and help get rid of a massive backlog of applications, Immigration Minister Jason Kenney said Tuesday.
Most opposition members and refugee advocates agree that the backlog of 61,000 cases is far too big and that Ottawa needs to fix it.

Chow said the backlog could be fixed quite easily just by expanding the Immigration and Refugee Board.

Source

Finally Canada is getting some reform as the refugee board was never designed to facilitate this many refugee claimants at a time, that's obvious.

With a massive backlog it's time for the Tories to roll up their sleeves and get to work bringing change to a broken system, streamlining the way it works and to close the loop holes in it.

Naturally the NDP position is to leave it as it is and to just hire more workers and to expand the dept. Adding to more expenditures at a time of economic hardship. This approach is irresponsible.

Who's Doing What? · October 8, 2009

Finally Canada is getting some reform as the refugee board was never designed to facilitate this many refugee claimants at a time, that's obvious.
With a massive backlog it's time for the Tories to roll up their sleeves and get to work bringing change to a broken system, streamlining the way it works and to close the loop holes in it.

Naturally the NDP position is to leave it as it is and to just hire more workers and to expand the dept. Adding to more expenditures at a time of economic hardship. This approach is irresponsible.

Too many criminals getting into this country. We need a better system not an expansion of the current useless one.

waldo · October 8, 2009

Finally Canada is getting some reform as the refugee board was never designed to facilitate this many refugee claimants at a time, that's obvious.
With a massive backlog it's time for the Tories to roll up their sleeves and get to work bringing change to a broken system, streamlining the way it works and to close the loop holes in it.

Naturally the NDP position is to leave it as it is and to just hire more workers and to expand the dept. Adding to more expenditures at a time of economic hardship. This approach is irresponsible.

and how much of the current 'situation' is a manufactured crisis by Conservative Minister Jason Kenney - Minister of Citizenship, Immigration and Multiculturalism? ... considering lengthy delays in appointing members to vacant Immigration and Refugee Board (IRB) positions - with some 50 vacancies as of 2007 with only 25 finally filled in January/February of 2009... with the current board still only at a 90% appointed level.

from the 2009 March Status Report of the Auditor General of Canada:

In revisiting these issues, we conclude that while, overall, the government has systems and procedures to provide for the timely appointment of qualified individuals to Crown corporations, small entities, and the Immigration and Refugee Board, results are disappointing. There are still lengthy delays that lead to a high number of vacancies, potentially compromising the effective governance and functioning of these government organizations. In particular, the high number of continuing vacancies on the Immigration and Review Board has contributed significantly to the growing inventory of refugee claims waiting to be heard.

yes - certainly a manufactured crisis aided and abetted by Conservative Minister Jason Kenney's lax appointments process to the IRB.

Mr.Canada · October 8, 2009

and how much of the current 'situation' is a manufactured crisis by Conservative Minister Jason Kenney - Minister of Citizenship, Immigration and Multiculturalism? ... considering lengthy delays in appointing members to vacant Immigration and Refugee Board (IRB) positions - with some 50 vacancies as of 2007 with only 25 finally filled in January/February of 2009... with the current board still only at a 90% appointed level.
from the 2009 March Status Report of the Auditor General of Canada:

yes - certainly a manufactured crisis aided and abetted by Conservative Minister Jason Kenney's lax appointments process to the IRB.

A system that allows for 7 levels of appeals is outrageous taking 5-6 years. In that time the person will often be granted status because they've been living here for the whole time working. After they've been denied through every level of appeal.

The system is broken and there are too many ways to cheat it. We need to streamline it so the appeals don't take 5 years and people apply from UN camps instead of just showing up on our doorstep.

waldo · October 8, 2009

and how much of the current 'situation' is a manufactured crisis by Conservative Minister Jason Kenney - Minister of Citizenship, Immigration and Multiculturalism? ... considering lengthy delays in appointing members to vacant Immigration and Refugee Board (IRB) positions - with some 50 vacancies as of 2007 with only 25 finally filled in January/February of 2009... with the current board still only at a 90% appointed level.
from the 2009 March Status Report of the Auditor General of Canada:

In revisiting these issues, we conclude that while, overall, the government has systems and procedures to provide for the timely appointment of qualified individuals to Crown corporations, small entities, and the Immigration and Refugee Board, results are disappointing. There are still lengthy delays that lead to a high number of vacancies, potentially compromising the effective governance and functioning of these government organizations. In particular, the high number of continuing vacancies on the Immigration and Review Board has contributed significantly to the growing inventory of refugee claims waiting to be heard.

yes - certainly a manufactured crisis aided and abetted by Conservative Minister Jason Kenney's lax appointments process to the IRB.

A system that allows for 7 levels of appeals is outrageous taking 5-6 years. In that time the person will often be granted status because they've been living here for the whole time working. After they've been denied through every level of appeal.
The system is broken and there are too many ways to cheat it. We need to streamline it so the appeals don't take 5 years and people apply from UN camps instead of just showing up on our doorstep.

reform requirement doesn't negate the complete failure by Conservative Jason Kenney to properly appoint members to the IRB in a timely manner... so, yes - hyping the backlog of cases only serves to highlight a conceived need for reform, when a major cause of that backlog is due to Conservative Jason Kenney, himself.

are you also in support of the "rumored reform" that intends to target refugee applicants from so-called preferred countries - as designated by the Conservatives/Jason Kenney? Nothing says Canada ignores the plight of legitimate needs by offering privileged consideration based on the refugee applicants country.

Mr.Canada · October 8, 2009

yes - certainly a manufactured crisis aided and abetted by Conservative Minister Jason Kenney's lax appointments process to the IRB.
reform requirement doesn't negate the complete failure by Conservative Jason Kenney to properly appoint members to the IRB in a timely manner... so, yes - hyping the backlog of cases only serves to highlight a conceived need for reform, when a major cause of that backlog is due to Conservative Jason Kenney, himself.

are you also in support of the "rumored reform" that intends to target refugee applicants from so-called preferred countries - as designated by the Conservatives/Jason Kenney? Nothing says Canada ignores the plight of legitimate needs by offering privileged consideration based on the refugee applicants country.

Some countries that refugee claimants are from are not in dire need of asylum, such as the claimants from the US.

waldo · October 8, 2009

Some countries that refugee claimants are from are not in dire need of asylum, such as the claimants from the US.

uhhh - no... sorry, those (rumored) designated countries for refugee claimants will give preferred consideration over and above applicants from those "other countries". You know... those "other countries" that may not follow the preferred consideration criteria of the Conservatives/Jason Kenney - nudge nudge, wink wink.

Mr.Canada · October 8, 2009

uhhh - no... sorry, those (rumored) designated countries for refugee claimants will give preferred consideration over and above applicants from those "other countries". You know... those "other countries" that may not follow the preferred consideration criteria of the Conservatives/Jason Kenney - nudge nudge, wink wink.

Preferential treatment should be given to claimants who follow the guidelines for claiming. Such as applying from UN designated camps instead of rewarding people who jump the que by just showing up in Canada and receiving a work permit as soon as they get off the plane, whereas people go through the proper channels need to wait a good while longer then instantly.

waldo · October 8, 2009

Preferential treatment should be given to claimants who follow the guidelines for claiming. Such as applying from UN designated camps instead of rewarding people who jump the que by just showing up in Canada and receiving a work permit as soon as they get off the plane, whereas people go through the proper channels need to wait a good while longer then instantly.

so... apparently, to Conservative Jason Kenney, refugee claimants from within Canada are less worthy than those from overseas (designated camps).

Refugees need protection, without discrimination

We totally reject the simplistic and wrong-headed notion that “real” refugees are only to be found overseas,” said Elizabeth McWeeny, President of the Canadian Council for Refugees (CCR).
Under the UN Convention relating to the Status of Refugees, Canada has legal obligations towards people in Canada who claim our protection.

Many refugees overseas have no access to the UN and their situation is too dangerous to wait for a solution to come to them, said Adeena Niazi, Executive Director of the Afghan Women’s Organization in Toronto. For some, the most effective way to save their lives is to get to Canada and make a claim. We must not discriminate against refugees depending on whether they are here or overseas.

We belittle our status as a leading nation in refugee protection, when our government carelessly pits “fake” claimants here against “real victims of persecution” abroad, said Ed Wiebe, refugee coordinator for Mennonite Central Committee Canada.

The CCR believes that most Canadians are concerned for refugees in need of protection, whether they are here or overseas, and want Canada to live up to its legal and moral obligations towards refugees.

wyly · October 8, 2009

Preferential treatment should be given to claimants who follow the guidelines for claiming. Such as applying from UN designated camps instead of rewarding people who jump the que by just showing up in Canada and receiving a work permit as soon as they get off the plane, whereas people go through the proper channels need to wait a good while longer then instantly.

I know refugee family who were told leave now or die, going to a camp was not an option staying was a death sentence, get on a plane and go was their only solution...

Streamlining the process because it does indeed take to long and there are bogus claims needs to be done...but you're over simplifying it too far in the other direction...

Mr.Canada · October 8, 2009

I know refugee family who were told leave now or die, going to a camp was not an option staying was a death sentence, get on a plane and go was their only solution...
Streamlining the process because it does indeed take to long and there are bogus claims needs to be done...but you're over simplifying it too far in the other direction...

I like to make direct points as too many won't read a huge post so I keep it short.

fellowtraveller · October 8, 2009

reform requirement doesn't negate the complete failure by Conservative Jason Kenney to properly appoint members to the IRB in a timely manner... so, yes - hyping the backlog of cases only serves to highlight a conceived need for reform, when a major cause of that backlog is due to Conservative Jason Kenney, himself.

The backlog in refugee cases and the pathetic management of the system existed long before Kenney was Minister, it has been a problem for a long time.

The correct approach is not to expand the system with more bureaucrats, it is to both clear up the backlog of applicants, and to stop people getting into the system in the first place.

Every bogus claimant in the system is one less legitimate claimant rotting in a refugee camp soemwhere in the world.

Argus · October 8, 2009

yes - certainly a manufactured crisis aided and abetted by Conservative Minister Jason Kenney's lax appointments process to the IRB.

I've been hearing about massive backlogs at the refugee board for going on thirty years now, pruned down every now and then by simply opening the gates wide and letting everyone in to grab the welfare ring and get in line for your free welfare house.

Don't give us any crap about it all being Kenney's fault.

Argus · October 8, 2009

I know refugee family who were told leave now or die, going to a camp was not an option staying was a death sentence, get on a plane and go was their only solution...

By most estimates, about 90% of our refugees are economic refugees simply here for a better life who would stand no chance of being accepted anywhere else.