Citizenship and Immigration Committee on March 9th, 2026

[Michelle Rempel, Conservative, Calgary Nose Hill, AB]

I do, and it does.

Here is the next thing: The story my colleague mentioned says, “Before arriving in Canada, the Iranian citizen was a senior member of his government, according to the Canada Border Services Agency, which has asked [your board] to order his expulsion.”

Mr. Bush, would your agency have recommended deportation based on those grounds without significant evidence? Would you have told the IRB that this person should be deported because he was a senior member of the Iranian government if you didn't have evidence to that effect? Would you have made this up?

[Brett Bush]

I will tell you that the process of it all.... The officer—

[Michelle Rempel, Conservative, Calgary Nose Hill, AB]

It's just a yes or a no. Would you have evidence?

[Brett Bush]

Yes.

[Michelle Rempel, Conservative, Calgary Nose Hill, AB]

Okay.

Ms. Brassard, in what universe would you go against section 166 of your law and withhold this person's identity from the public? Why would you do that?

[Gary Dukeshire, Senior Counsel, Refugee Protection Division, Immigration and Refugee Board]

Madam Chair, I can specify. Actually, section 166 of the law specifies that all proceedings before the refugee protection division and refugee appeal division are held in the absence of the public, so they are confidential. Any claim before the immigration division—

[Michelle Rempel, Conservative, Calgary Nose Hill, AB]

This is a deportation hearing though, right?

[Sameer Zuberi, Liberal, Pierrefonds—Dollard, QC]

I have a point of order.

[The Chair, Liberal, Julie Dzerowicz]

I'm sorry, but there's a point of order.

Go ahead, Mr. Zuberi.

[Sameer Zuberi, Liberal, Pierrefonds—Dollard, QC]

I was hoping to hear the full answer from the—

[Michelle Rempel, Conservative, Calgary Nose Hill, AB]

I'm hoping to use my time.

[Gary Dukeshire]

Madam Chair, I'll clarify for the immigration division. All proceedings before the immigration division are also held in the absence of the public if they involve a refugee claimant or if the member orders a confidentiality order, so not all—

[Michelle Rempel, Conservative, Calgary Nose Hill, AB]

All right. Here we are: This person, this member of the Iranian regime, wanted his hearing in private, and you guys granted it. Why? What possible interest would that serve for the public, whose gyms are being shot up by these guys right now? Why would it serve the public's interest?

You're saying that you don't even know who this person is, but now you can't tell us why it would be in the public interest to withhold his identity from reporters.

[Manon Brassard]

The legislation says that we withhold identity if the person makes a claim to refugee status.

[Michelle Rempel, Conservative, Calgary Nose Hill, AB]

Yes, but why would you protect the identity of a senior Iranian government official in Canada on a deportation order requested by the CBSA? It's crazy.

[Manon Brassard]

Well, that's your view. The way we—

[Michelle Rempel, Conservative, Calgary Nose Hill, AB]

No, I think it's the public's view. I think it's logic. Is it not your view?

[Manon Brassard]

My view is that we have to apply the legislation as it is.

[Michelle Rempel, Conservative, Calgary Nose Hill, AB]

No. You made a decision to hold this in private. Why?

[Manon Brassard]

It was the member's decision to look at the evidence.

[Michelle Rempel, Conservative, Calgary Nose Hill, AB]

You said you didn't even know who this guy was.

[Manon Brassard]

I don't need to know—

[Peter Fragiskatos, Liberal, London Centre, ON]

I have a point of order, Chair.

[The Chair, Liberal, Julie Dzerowicz]

Go ahead on a point of order, Mr. Fragiskatos.

[Peter Fragiskatos, Liberal, London Centre, ON]

Again, we're trying to hear the answer, but we cannot.