Pre-Removal Risk Assessment (PRRA)
Statutory definition
Section 112 of the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act, SC 2001, c 27, allows a person who is subject to a removal order to apply for a PRRA. Section 113 sets out the evidence that may be considered. Section 114 provides for the protection that may be granted if the PRRA is accepted.
Explanation
The PRRA is the last administrative protection mechanism before removal. It is assessed by a PRRA officer (not the IRB). A successful PRRA results in the person being granted protected person status.
Key features:
- Generally paper-based — no oral hearing in most cases
- Restricted evidence for rejected claimants — only evidence that arose after the RPD/RAD decision, or that was not reasonably available, may be considered
- 12-month bar — rejected PRRA applicants cannot reapply for 12 months
- Stay of removal — applying for a PRRA automatically stays removal while the PRRA is pending
How this term is used
PRRA applications are triggered when CBSA serves a direction to report for removal. The person has 15 days to indicate they wish to apply and then a further 15 days to submit the application. Persons who were not refugee claimants (i.e., who were never before the RPD) have broader evidence rights in the PRRA than rejected claimants.