Mandate
The Standing Committee on Citizenship and Immigration may examine
orders of reference referred by the House of Commons, such as bills, Estimates
and order-in-council appointments; it may also study issues of its own choosing. One
of the Committee’s main responsibilities is to oversee the activities of Citizenship
and Immigration Canada (CIC) and the Immigration
and Refugee Board (IRB).
CIC develops immigration policy, including the selection criteria;
it manages immigration levels; and, with other federal departments such as
the Canada Border Services Agency,
it facilitates and controls the entry of immigrants, refugees and visitors
to Canada. CIC also helps newcomers settle in and adapt to Canada. In collaboration
with other government partners, the department is responsible for maintaining
and protecting the health, safety and good order of Canadian society.
CIC also grants Canadian citizenship, provides Canadians with proof
of citizenship, and promotes citizenship as a symbol and expression of the
rights and responsibilities of membership in the Canadian community.
The IRB was established in 1989
and is the largest administrative tribunal in Canada. Its Refugee Protection
Division decides claims made for refugee protection within Canada. Its Immigration
Division conducts immigration admissibility hearings for certain categories
of people believed to be inadmissible to, or removable from, Canada; it also
conducts detention reviews for those being detained under the Immigration
and Refugee Protection Act. The IRB’s Immigration Appeal Division hears
appeals of sponsorship applications refused by CIC, appeals from certain
removal orders, appeals by permanent residents outside of Canada who have
been found not to have fulfilled their residency obligations, and appeals
by CIC from decisions of the Immigration Division at admissibility hearings. A
fourth division, the Refugee Appeal Division, has not yet begun operations. Should
it be implemented, it would be responsible for hearing appeals from the Refugee
Protection Division.
top of page