The Refugee Protection Division (RPD) of the Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada is changing the way its members sign their reasons for decision. A Practice Notice has been issued, which states that effective November 26, 2019, an electronic signature will satisfy the requirement for members to sign their reasons for decision under Rule 68 of the Refugee Protection Division Rules.
The adoption of electronic signatures should have little impact on the parties that appear before the RPD. This change is simply part of an overall modernization effort at the Board and will help the Division to achieve certain internal efficiencies. The Board will retain the original reasons for decision and mail copies to the parties within the same timelines.