Canada. Immigration and Refugee Board : In 1986 legislation was introduced to merge the Immigration Appeal Board (IAB) and the Refugee Status Advisory Committee (RSAC) and create an Immigration and Refugee Board. The IAB was a judicial body which ruled on deportation orders, and the RSAC was responsible for reviewing and making recommendations on claims to refugee status. The initiative to merge these two bodies was motivated by the need to address the severe pressure on the appeal system by substantial increases in the number of appeals against denied refugee claims in the previous few years.
After protracted debate and amendments, Part IV of The Immigration Act, 1976 was amended by Parliament in mid-1988 (37 Elizabeth II, Chap. 35, S.C. 1988). The legislation created the Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada (IRB), which began operations in 1989. The mission of the IRB is to make well-reasoned decision on immigration and refugee matters, efficiently, fairly, and in accordance with the law.
The IRB consists of three divisions: Immigration Appeal, Convention Refugee Determination, and Adjudication. The first two of these divisions were established at the time that the IRB was created. The Immigration Appeal Division (IAD) is a court of record with all the powers, rights and privileges accorded such a body. The IAD adjudicates appeals by persons who feel that decisions by immigration officials are inconsistent with Canadian law and practice. The Convention Refugee Determination Division (CRDD) is responsible for ensuring that all refugee claimants are dealt with fairly and expeditiously and in a manner consistent with Canada's humanitarian traditions and international obligations. In 1993 the Adjudication Division became part of the IRB. Adjudicators are independent decision-makers (public servants) who determine whether or not to allow a person to enter or remain in Canada under the Immigration Act. In addition, they regularly review the detention of any person detained pursuant to the Act. IRB members, aside from public servants, are appointed by the Governor-in-Council.
At present, the IRB reports to Parliament through the Minister of Citizenship and Immigration. In addition to its headquarters in Ottawa, the IRB maintains offices in several cities throughout Canada.
