Designated representatives play a crucial role in Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada (IRB) proceedings. They maintain the integrity of proceedings and further access to justice by advancing the interests of individuals who appear before the IRB and cannot represent themselves.
The IRB has recently completed of an exhaustive review of its designated representative program and is taking a number of measures to strengthen its program. Among these measures, the IRB is publishing the following documents to help designated representatives better understand their role and responsibilities:
- a new
Designated representative guide that provides information about the IRB environment and the role and responsibilities of the designated representatives in each Division of the IRB;
- a
Designated representative competency profile to assist the IRB in its recruitment efforts and help potential designated representatives ensure that they understand the competency requirements for carrying out the designated representative role; and
- a
Code of conduct for designated representatives that establishes the standards of conduct and other obligations that govern the professional and ethical responsibilities of designated representatives at the IRB.
In the coming months, the IRB will be reviewing designated representative orientation material, examining the current remuneration schedule (pay), and putting in place a quality assurance framework that will include enhanced monitoring and a compliance mechanism for parties. Further updates will be provided as these processes are completed. In the interim, the information currently available on these areas remains in effect.