Backgrounder — Designated Countries of Origin

Too many tax dollars are spent on asylum claimants who are not in need of protection. Canada is currently receiving a disproportionately high number of refugee claimants who come from countries that historically have very low acceptance rates at the independent Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada (IRB). These are often countries such as those in Europe with solid democratic and human rights.

Under the Balanced Refugee Reform Act (BRRA), which received Royal assent in June 2010, the government has the authority to identify designated countries of origin (DCO).DCOs are countries that do not normally produce refugees, but do respect human rights and offer state protection. The ability to designate such countries and accelerate the processing of refugee claimants from those countries provides the government with a tool to respond to spikes in claims from countries that do not normally produce refugees.

The Protecting Canada’s Immigration System Act provides more flexibility in determining which countries to designate.

The aim of the DCO policy is to deter abuse of the refugee system by people who come from countries generally considered safe. Refugee claimants from DCOs will have their claims processed faster. This will ensure that people in need get protection fast, while those with unfounded claims are sent home quickly through expedited processing.

Every eligible refugee claimant will continue to receive a hearing at the IRB. However, failed DCO claimants will not have access to the Refugee Appeal Division.

Many countries use a similar authority in what is commonly known as a “safe country of origin” policy to accelerate asylum procedures for the nationals of certain countries. These states include the United Kingdom, Ireland, France, Germany, the Netherlands, Norway, Switzerland, Belgium and Finland, among others. Some European Union (EU) states also have accelerated procedures for the nationals of other EU member states.

Designation Criteria

There will be a two-step process for a country to be considered for designation.Designation is not automatic.

First, a country will have to meet one of two quantitative thresholds or limits set out in a ministerial order. The proposed triggers for a review are based on rejection rates, withdrawal and abandonment rates. A rejection rate (which includes abandoned and withdrawn claims) of 75% or higher may trigger a review. Similarly, an abandonment and withdrawal rate of 60% or higher may trigger a review.

For claimants from countries with a low number of claims, a qualitative checklist will be used and includes:

• the existence of an independent judicial system;
• recognition of basic democratic rights and freedoms, including mechanisms for redress if those rights or freedoms are infringed; and
• the existence of civil society organizations.

Although there may be few refugee claimants from these countries, it may still be appropriate to designate these countries under the principle that they are generally not considered to be refugee-producing countries.

Once a country is triggered for a review, CIC may conduct a review in consultation with other government departments. The Minister of Citizenship, Immigration and Multiculturalism will make the final decision on whether to designate a country.

Further Expediting Decisions and Deterring Abuse

To further accelerate the processing of refugee claimants from a designated country, these claims will be heard on an expedited basis by the IRB. DCO claims will be heard by public servant decision makers at the IRB no later than 30 days after referral to the IRBfor claims made at inland immigration offices and no later than 45 days after referral for claims made at ports of entry. By comparison, hearings for claimants from all other countries will occur no later than 60 days after referral.

All failed claimants continue to have the option of asking the Federal Court to review a negative decision. However, there will be no automatic stay of removal for DCO claimants should they decide to ask the Federal Court to review a negative decision, which means that they could be removed from Canada while their application for review before the Federal Court is pending.

Work Permits

Large numbers of unfounded refugee claims are a financial burden on the economy. But the attraction of Canada’s social assistance programs and other benefits is a draw for many.
To further reduce the attraction of coming to Canada to make an unfounded claim, DCOclaimants will be ineligible to apply for a work permit until their claim is approved by theIRB or their claim has been in the system for more than 180 days and no decision has been made.

Restricting access to work permits will deny DCO claimants access to Canada’s labour market as well as the benefits associated with employment in Canada (such as the GSTcredit, the Working Income Tax Benefit and Employment Insurance – none of which can be accessed by claimants who do not have a work permit).