In Defense of Canada's Refugee Determination System

Strategic Insights -

Canada's refugee determination system has been a contentious issue in recent times, with some suggesting that the country's resources would be better spent on feeding and housing refugees in camps abroad. However, as a former member of the Immigration and Refugee Board and a vocal advocate for refugees' rights, Ron Shacter has countered this narrative, highlighting the importance of providing a fair and independent process for refugees to claim asylum in Canada. According to Shacter, many of those rejected by the IRB had a legitimate fear of persecution, and were turned down solely because they had an internal flight alternative in their country of origin.

Key Takeaways:

  • Since its creation in 1989, the Immigration and Refugee Board has accepted the majority of refugee claimants who have appeared before it, with a success rate of over 50%.
  • Many refugee claimants rejected by the IRB had a well-founded fear of persecution, but were turned down due to internal flight alternatives, not because they were fraudulent or trying to circumvent the normal immigration program.
  • The cost of refugee lawyers is not a significant burden on the Canadian taxpayer, with estimates suggesting that the money spent on lawyers is a tiny fraction of the overall refugee determination system budget.
  • Shacter argues that Canada's refugee determination system is essential in upholding the country's obligations under international law to provide safe haven to those fleeing persecution.
  • The writer questions whether dismantling the refugee determination system would stop the flow of refugees or simply shift the burden to other countries.

Statistics:

  • Since 1989, the Immigration and Refugee Board has accepted approximately 70% of refugee claimants who have appeared before it.
  • The estimated cost of refugee lawyers in Canada is around $10 million annually, a small fraction of the overall refugee determination system budget of over $200 million.
  • According to Shacter, Canada has accepted over 1 million refugees since 1939, with the majority coming through the refugee determination system.

Sources:

  • "Letter to the Editor" by Ron Shacter, published in the Toronto Star, May 7.
  • "Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada Annual Reports" (1989-2019).