A designated representative is someone who represents a person appearing before the Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada (IRB) who is unable to represent themselves because they are:
- under 18 years of age or
- unable to understand the nature of the proceedings
When does the IRB appoint a designated representative
A designated representative is appointed as early as possible in the process to ensure that the interests of the person appearing before the IRB are protected as of the beginning of the proceedings.
Who can be a designated representative
A designated representative is usually a parent, family member, legal guardian, or friend.
When there is no parent, family member, legal guardian, or friend who can act as a designated representative, the IRB will contract the services of an individual who has been identified as someone who is willing and able to act as a designated representative before the IRB. This person is called a
contracted designated representative.
A designated representative must:
- be 18 years of age or older
- understand the nature of the proceedings
- be willing and able to act in the best interests of the person appearing before the IRB
- not have interests that conflict with those of the person appearing before the IRB and
- fully understand and comply with the
designated representative guide