Response to parliamentary committees
Responding to Public Complaints: A Review of the Appointment, Training and Complaint Processes of the Immigration and Refugee Board
On February 6, 2018, the Standing Committee on Citizenship and Immigration agreed to study the Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada’s (IRB) appointment, training and complaint processes. In September 2018, the Committee tabled a report containing eight recommendations, notably: maintaining public service and Governor in Council (GIC) appointments at the IRB; establishing an independent federal review board for complaints against all federally appointed adjudicators; improving the assessment process of members; timely appointment of GIC members to fill vacancies; ensuring mandatory continuing professional development for members; amending the Code of Conduct for Members; and, reviewing and reporting back on the complaints process at the IRB.
The IRB, Privy Council Office, and Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada tabled their collective response to the Committee’s report in November 2018.
During 2018-19, the IRB started a number of corrective actions to fulfill the Committee’s recommendations, notably: an evaluation was completed on member learning; training programs had begun to further incorporate modules on sensitivity training, cultural training, credibility assessments, and reasons writing; and oversight and governance improvements were identified for the IRB’s adjudicative learning function for members.
Response to audits conducted by the Office of the Auditor General of Canada (including audits conducted by the Commissioner of the Environment and Sustainable Development)
There were no audits in 2018–19 requiring a response.