Legacy claims

​The Legacy Task Force is asking all claimants who have not contacted the IRB to schedule their hearing to do so as soon as possible so that your claim can be finalized. Contact the Legacy Office with questions at 1-833-534-2292.

Legacy Task Force

The Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada (IRB) has formed a Legacy Task Force which will provide dedicated support to the substantive elimination of its backlog of legacy claims in two years. The Task Force’s focus on legacy claims will allow the Refugee Protection Division to continue to address the new system caseload, which is subject to regulated time limits.

On June 20, 2017, World Refugee Day, the IRB Issued a news release and produced a e video asking refugees who made a claim to the IRB before December 15, 2012 to contact the IRB and update their information on the Intention to proceed form​ as needed. Contact the Legacy Office with questions at 1-833-534-2292.

Information for Legacy Claimants is available in the following languages:

The IRB recognizes the challenges facing legacy claimants waiting in the backlog for several years that is the reason that we have worked hard to find existing internal resources and make it a priority to substantively eliminate the legacy cases within two years.

Legacy Claims – Refugee claims referred to the IRB before December 15, 2012

Refugee claims referred to the IRB before December 15, 2012– are what the IRB calls "Legacy claims". Although most of these claims were heard before the new refugee determination system took effect on December 15, 2012, there are some claims that have not yet been heard.

Updating information and intention to proceed

Legacy claimants will be contacted at their address on record with the IRB to inquire about their intention to proceed with their claim and to provide the claimant an opportunity to update their information with the IRB. If you wish to be contacted regarding a hearing date now you may do so by completing the Intention to proceed f​orm and following the instructions for forwarding it to your region, Montreal, Toronto or Vancouver.

Notice of withdrawal

There may be reasons why you no longer wish to claim refugee protection in Canada. If you do not wish to proceed with your claim you may complete a Withdrawal Notice and follow the instructions for forwarding it to your region, Montreal, Toronto or Vancouver.

Ready Tours for refugee claimants

The Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada (IRB) collaborates with several non-governmental organizations (NGO) to help refugee claimants prepare for their upcoming hearings through Ready Tours.

These tours are free of charge and are held in our Vancouver, Toronto and Montreal offices to inform refugee claimants about:

  • How to prepare for their upcoming hearing
  • What will take place at the hearing
  • Who will participate in the hearing
  • Mandatory deadlines

For more information, please contact the NGO who is organizing the Ready Tours in your region.

Additional information

  • Legacy claimants will continue to use the Personal Information Form (PIF)
  • You should review the information found in the National Documentation Package which pertains to your claim.
  • you will be required to attend a hearing to explain your circumstances and tell your story.
  • You must always inform yourself of and respect your obligations in relation to the IRB.
  • The RPD member will decide whether or not you should be granted protected person status in Canada.
  • You have a right to be represented by counsel in your proceeding before the RPD at your own expense

List of Legal aid offices

New policy instruments

Legacy claims are subject to all Chairpersons' Guidelines and other policy instruments that apply to the RPD, such as the recently updated Guideline 7 and Guideline 8.

Appealing a decision

Decisions on legacy claims are subject to judicial review with leave by the Federal Court.

References

Frequently Asked Questions