“Under Canada’s system, there is no effective pre-screening procedure to separate the obviously unfounded claims from those that are genuine. As a result, all who submit a claim receive a quasi-judicial hearing before the IRB to determine if they are to receive refugee status. In most cases, the claimant also receives free legal assistance when appearing before the IRB (Immigration and Refugee Board)… The problem is that although the IRB finds that almost 60 per cent of the claims are false, (this is far too low -JG), there are so many claimants, (that) it can take two years or more for a claim to be heard. In the meantime, the claimant is entitled to welfare, free medical care and other services as well as having permission to work in Canada.”

(more…)