The guideline on procedures with respect to vulnerable persons appearing before the immigration and refugee board of Canada: A critical overview

Abstract

This paper presents a critical overview of the Guideline on Vulnerable Persons, adopted by Canada's Immigration and Refugee Board (IRB) in December 2006 with the goal of providing procedural accommodations for vulnerable individuals appearing before the Board so that they are not disadvantaged in presenting their cases. Although the Guideline is a step in the right direction, it has several serious shortcomings, notably the fact that it is purely procedural in scope, applies only to persons whose ability to present their case is severely impaired, and does not give sufficient weight to expert opinions by mental health professionals.