In Ontario, more than 15,000 claimants were processed last year compared to 6,800 in 2013. Another 4,800 were processed in Ontario in the first three months of this year.
claimants were processed in just the first three months of 2017.
In Ontario, more than 15,000 claimants were processed last year compared to 6,800 in 2013. Another 4,800 were processed in Ontario in the first three months of this year.
Quebec is particularly overwhelmed. There were more refugee claimants processed in the first three months of this year — 3,080 — than the 2,900 claimants processed in all of 2015.
“It’s a challenge,” said Anna Pape, IRB spokesperson for the Ontario region.
“When you’re outnumbered by referrals in terms of decision makers available to hear claims, it becomes a problem.”
Pape said there are also other reasons for the indefinite postponement of cases, including a lack of interpreters, claimants waiting for more documentation or incomplete security check clearances from either CBSA or CSIS at the time of the hearing.
In the fall, she noted, more than half of the postponements were due to an incomplete security clearance.
“If the security results aren’t in, that basically results in an automatic postponement of the hearing,” Pape said.
In late 2012, the Harper government reformed refugee legislation, making it mandatory for a refugee claimant’s hearing to be scheduled within 30, 45 or 60 days, depending on certain criteria.
“When the number of referrals were down, that system worked,” said Pape. “But at this point, we have more referrals than we have resources.”
IN DECEMBER,
just over 30 per cent of hearings were held within the scheduling timelines. During the summer of 2015, by comparison, about three-quarters of all hearings were held within the scheduling timelines.
On top of that, there are still 5,600 so-called “legacy claims” filed before the new 2012 legislation that haven’t been heard yet in addition to the new postponements that are piling up.
Pape said the IRB has received some additional funding to add extra decision makers.
About 30 new decision makers were added last year, bringing the number in Canada to almost 120.
The IRB is also trying to shorten the hearing process for claimants who arrive from countries with very high acceptance rates.
There’s also an expedited process where claimants without security concerns or credibility doubts can get a decision without a hearing if they are from Syria, Eritrea or Iraq.
“We’re trying to obtain a balance and get some of these postponed cases back on track,” said Pape. THE
INFLUX OF CLAIMANTS is also clogging the processing of refugee claimants at border crossings such as the Peace Bridge between Fort Erie and Buffalo.
Officials at the Vive centre in Buffalo, which provides shelter to refugee claimants attempting to reach Canada, said prior to the election of U.S. President Donald Trump, appointments could be scheduled for claimants with CBSA at the Peace Bridge in two or three days.
Now, it can take four weeks for an appointment date to be scheduled.
Eisenberg said he doesn’t expect the processing situation to improve much in the coming months. It may even worsen, he said.
“Canada’s really becoming the only country that’s receiving immigrants these days,” he said. “The United States has pretty much shut off its immigration program and a lot of the countries in Europe are drying up, same for Australia.”
Eisenberg said his caseload has increased about 25 per cent from the same time last year, yet he’s confident Canada can easily absorb the increased numbers of refugees.
“I’ve been doing this now for 30 years and we always find a way,” said Eisenberg. “Maybe I’m biased but I think immigrants have a tremendous positive effect on the community, particularly when it comes to creating businesses, creating jobs.”
Eisenberg said he hears many heartbreaking and tragic stories from his refugee clients. He believes Canadians would benefit from hearing some of these stories for themselves.
“We demonize them and politicians for their self interest demonize these people,” said Eisenberg. “There’s really nothing to be afraid of.
“Typically, most of these people just end up working, living their lives, doing what people do.”