Friday, March 29, 2024
ADVT 
National

$74M Not Enough To Cut Refugee Claim Backlog: Internal Documents

The Canadian Press, 10 Jan, 2019 07:27 PM

    OTTAWA — The arms-length agency that processes refugee claims in Canada estimated it would need twice as much money as it will ultimately receive to significantly tackle a major backlog in asylum claims, caused in part from an influx of irregular migrants.

     

    Documents obtained under access-to-information law show the Immigration and Refugee Board drafted costing estimates in November 2017 showing it would need $140 million annually plus an additional $40 million in one-time costs to finalize 36,000 extra refugee cases every year.


    That's how many cases the board would need to complete to cut the backlog and also meet the current intake of new asylum claims.


    The government ultimately earmarked $74 million to the IRB over two years in last year's federal budget to address Canada's refugee backlog, which currently stands at over 64,000.


    The IRB says in the documents the amount will not be enough to finalize the outstanding claims within two years and that a longer-term strategy is needed to tackle the problem.


    The documents also reveal employees processing the claims have raised concerns about heavy workloads, problems with their pay due to the Phoenix pay system and have pressed management about when the influx of claims will be considered a crisis.

    MORE National ARTICLES

    Locked Up In China: Arrested Canadian Says Legal Trouble Followed Him Home

    Cigana wanted to share his experience with the Chinese legal system after two Canadians — Michael Kovrig and Michael Spavor — were arrested there in December.    

    Locked Up In China: Arrested Canadian Says Legal Trouble Followed Him Home

    Tina Fontaine's Cousin Killed During Botched Drug Debt Collection: Crown

    Tina Fontaine's Cousin Killed During Botched Drug Debt Collection: Crown
    In his opening statement, prosecutor Geoffrey Bayly told the jury Fontaine's boyfriend had a methamphetamine debt owed to Meilleur's girlfriend.

    Tina Fontaine's Cousin Killed During Botched Drug Debt Collection: Crown

    Newfoundland Town Fears Fate Of Stranded Seals Swarming Its Streets

     Seals have been swarming the streets of a northern Newfoundland town, with residents fearing for the animals' safety but being warned to stay away.

    Newfoundland Town Fears Fate Of Stranded Seals Swarming Its Streets

    Golden Eagle Theft: Insurance Company Fighting Payout For Diamond-Studded Statue

    A major insurance company is fighting back after a British Columbia court required it to make good on a policy covering a gold, diamond-encrusted eagle statue allegedly stolen in Metro Vancouver more than two years ago.

    Golden Eagle Theft: Insurance Company Fighting Payout For Diamond-Studded Statue

    Garry Handlen's Confession To 12-Year-Old's Murder Was A Lie: Defence Lawyer

    "They're coming for you," the undercover officer told Handlen in November 2014, about nine months into a so-called Mr. Big sting in Minden, Ont.

    Garry Handlen's Confession To 12-Year-Old's Murder Was A Lie: Defence Lawyer

    Man Facing Hate Charge Told To Stay Away From Jewish Schools, Synagogues

    Man Facing Hate Charge Told To Stay Away From Jewish Schools, Synagogues
    Robert Gosselin made a brief court appearance at which the conditions were officially added.

    Man Facing Hate Charge Told To Stay Away From Jewish Schools, Synagogues