Canada’s immigration minister, Marc Miller, has announced plans to propose reforms to the country’s refugee system, which may include expediting the rejection of cases deemed unlikely to succeed.
Experts and advocates have raised concerns that such measures could infringe on asylum-seekers’ right to due process and face legal challenges. Speaking to a parliamentary committee, Miller said, “The system isn’t functioning as it should. I intend to introduce more measures to address this.”
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has shifted his government’s traditionally welcoming stance on immigration, pledging to reduce immigration levels and cut Canada’s population growth over the next two years. This comes as public support for new arrivals wanes and his party struggles in the polls.
Miller highlighted an increase in refugee claims from individuals with little hope of approval, suggesting some are being improperly counseled to file claims. The Immigration and Refugee Board (IRB), responsible for adjudicating these claims, is grappling with record-high numbers, with more than 260,000 pending cases as of October. Refugee claims hit a peak of 20,000 in July before dropping to approximately 17,400 in October.
Among the rising claims are those from international students, many of whom, according to Miller, are using asylum claims as a last-resort strategy to remain in Canada following new rules restricting permanent residency pathways for students. He stated, “An increasing number of international students are filing asylum claims with little realistic hope of success.”
While Miller hinted at forthcoming amendments to streamline the system, he did not provide specific details. His spokesperson, Renee LeBlanc Proctor, confirmed that the minister is “exploring options related to asylum reforms.”
Legal experts, however, caution that fast-tracking denials could violate procedural fairness. Audrey Macklin, a law professor at the University of Toronto, argued, “Dismissing claims as ‘bogus’ without a proper hearing undermines due process and would likely face legal challenges.”
Advocates have called for increased resources for the IRB to process claims more efficiently and suggested prioritizing cases from countries with high acceptance rates to improve system efficiency.
