Evidence of meeting #19 for Citizenship and Immigration in the 39th Parliament, 1st Session. (The original version is on Parliament’s site, as are the minutes.) The winning word was process.
A recording is available from Parliament.
9:20 a.m.
Liberal
Lloyd St. Amand Liberal Brant, ON
You're doing that on a regular basis as vigorously and as proactively as you've done over the last two years.
9:20 a.m.
Chairperson, Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada
As is humanly possible....
9:20 a.m.
Liberal
Lloyd St. Amand Liberal Brant, ON
I take it there is no lack of interested applicants for these positions.
9:20 a.m.
Chairperson, Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada
Yes, there is no lack. For instance, we just did a campaign in the newspapers and that provided us with roughly 350 candidates from all walks of life, with different and various backgrounds, and representing all Canadians.
9:20 a.m.
Liberal
Lloyd St. Amand Liberal Brant, ON
So somebody in a decision-making capacity has to set about the task of getting these positions filled as quickly as possible.
9:20 a.m.
Chairperson, Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada
I make recommendations on my needs at the beginning of the year. It's tabled in the House in terms of the need and the operational requirements, Mr. Chair, and the goal is to reach the 156. That's the objective.
In the four years I've been with the board, there was never a full complement. It was always at 5%, 10%, but now it's higher.
9:20 a.m.
Liberal
Lloyd St. Amand Liberal Brant, ON
In fact, the number of vacancies has never been higher than today.
9:20 a.m.
Chairperson, Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada
Not in the life of the board, no.
9:20 a.m.
Liberal
Lloyd St. Amand Liberal Brant, ON
Perhaps I may turn, not to the particular incident...and I commend you for being, in your words, “circumspect” about the topical case, if I can term it as such. What thought, if any, has been given to taping or recording any and all interviews of potential immigrants with members of the board?
9:20 a.m.
Chairperson, Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada
In terms of the hearing?
9:20 a.m.
Chairperson, Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada
The proceedings are recorded, but they're not visually recorded. It's a private meeting for refugees, not for appeals in immigration.
9:20 a.m.
Liberal
9:20 a.m.
Chairperson, Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada
It's to protect the refugee in terms of making sure they can feel at ease to describe how they've lived and what the story is and what the issue is.
9:20 a.m.
Liberal
Lloyd St. Amand Liberal Brant, ON
But the meeting between refugee and board member is in no way taped or recorded?
9:20 a.m.
Chairperson, Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada
It is not taped on video.
9:20 a.m.
Liberal
Lloyd St. Amand Liberal Brant, ON
All right.
Mr. Chair, if there's yet time, I'll defer to Mr. Wilson.
9:20 a.m.
Liberal
Blair Wilson Liberal West Vancouver—Sunshine Coast—Sea to Sky Country, BC
Thank you, Chair.
Thank you, Mr. Fleury.
In your view, what is causing the delay from the minister or the department in making these reappointments that you say have been vigorously proactive and continually provided to the minister? If you're providing the documents, the paperwork, and the backup for him to do his job, what's causing the delay?
9:20 a.m.
Chairperson, Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada
Governor in Council appointees are at the discretion of the government. The way the selection process on merit was designed in 2004 could change, but in 2004 the selection would be delegated to us in terms of merit and ensuring we have the best.
Once I recommend the names to the minister, I do not have a discussion. It is their responsibility. I have no say, and I shouldn't have a say. That's how the responsibilities have been shared; an order in council is at the discretion of the government.
9:25 a.m.
Liberal
Blair Wilson Liberal West Vancouver—Sunshine Coast—Sea to Sky Country, BC
If the government continues its foot-dragging on making an appointment, what's the projection for the number of shortages for the next six months or the next twelve months?
