QUESTION PERIOD — Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship
Processing of Asylum Claims
May 22, 2024
Senator Gold, the Iranian diaspora wonders why Canada welcomes so few refugees threatened with death by the repressive Iranian regime. The case of Shilan Mirzaee, a renowned Kurdish human rights activist, is troubling. This mother of two has been stuck in Turkey for years and is threatened with deportation to Iran, while sponsors are ready to take charge of her in Canada. Why not speed up the asylum procedure for her?
Thank you for your question, senator. The government is deeply concerned about the people affected by the situation in Iran, and is actively monitoring the situation to assess how Canada can assist and do better.
Colleagues, you should know that Iranian nationals have a variety of immigration pathways available to them. The refugee resettlement program is designed to offer protection to the world’s most vulnerable. Individuals who have fled their home country and have no other durable solution may also be referred to Canada for resettlement by the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, or identified by private sponsors.
All eligible asylum claimants are referred to the Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada — an independent, quasi-judicial tribunal where the claim is decided on its merits.
Thank you, Senator Gold. My question had more to do with the speed and efficiency of the process. The Iranian Justice Collective submitted 47 refugee candidates’ names to the Canadian government in September. It has just learned that only 10 cases will be studied and it will take two years. Is this reasonable, given the risks faced by these enemies of the brutal regime?
Thank you for your question. These numbers are indeed troubling. The government is doing what it can to streamline the processes. It has boosted processing capacity and has provided serious funds — well over $1 billion over the next five years — to improve the asylum system.
