Comparison of refugee release rates flawed

Re West African denied release again, July 12 I would like to clarify some points regarding the article on the Immigration and Refugee Board refusing to release four-year detainee Ebrahim Toure.

Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada hearings, including detention review hearings, are conducted in accordance with the law, including the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms. All members make decisions based on the evidence and arguments presented by both parties at the hearing: the person concerned, and their counsel if represented, and a Canada Border Service Agency Hearings Officer appearing on behalf of the Minister of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness.

It is important to note that the statistical analysis referred to in the article does not ensure a comparison of like cases and, as a result, the comparison of release rates and the resulting conclusions are flawed.

Detention review decisions involve the analysis of many factors, including the grounds for detention, the level of risk posed by the person concerned, pres- ence of counsel, presence of an alternative to detention, co-operation from the person concerned, country of citizenship involved, etc. Therefore, release rates will invariably vary from one decision maker to another, as they deal with individual and different types of cases.

IRB hearings are public. The reasons and rationale for detention review decisions are clearly outlined and available upon request. Parties appearing before the IRB can apply to seek leave for judicial review at the Federal Court if they consider the decision unreasonable. Mario Dion, chairman, Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada

Does vote reflect Quebec views?

Re Quebec town narrowly votes against Muslim cemetery, June 17 I find it truly disheartening that three bigots in an insignificant town in rural Quebec could defeat the rights of a minority religious community to a cemetery of their own. If this is symptomatic of Quebecers’ sentiments, then my Canada no longer includes Quebec. Ron Brown, Toronto