Section 159 — Functions of Chairperson — rules and instructions
Text of provision
(1) The Chairperson is, by virtue of holding that office, a member of each Division of the Board and is the chief executive officer of the Board. In that capacity, the Chairperson
(a) has supervision over and direction of the work and staff of the Board;
(b) may at any time assign a member appointed under paragraph 153(1)(a) to the Refugee Appeal Division or the Immigration Appeal Division;
(c) may at any time, despite paragraph 153(1)(a), assign a member of the Refugee Appeal Division or the Immigration Appeal Division to work in another regional or district office to satisfy operational requirements, but an assignment may not exceed 120 days without the approval of the Governor in Council;
(d) may designate, from among the full-time members appointed under paragraph 153(1)(a), coordinating members for the Refugee Appeal Division or the Immigration Appeal Division;
(e) assigns administrative functions to the members of the Board;
(f) apportions work among the members of the Board and fixes the place, date and time of proceedings;
(g) takes any action that may be necessary to ensure that the members of the Board carry out their duties efficiently and without undue delay;
(h) may issue guidelines in writing to members of the Board and identify decisions of the Board as jurisprudential guides, after consulting with the Deputy Chairpersons, to assist members in carrying out their duties; and
(i) may appoint and, subject to the approval of the Treasury Board, fix the remuneration of experts or persons having special knowledge to assist the Divisions in any matter.
(2) The Chairperson may delegate any of his or her powers under this Act to a member of the Board, except that
(a) powers referred to in subsection 161(1) may not be delegated;
(b) powers referred to in paragraphs (1)(a) and (i) may be delegated to the Executive Director of the Board;
(c) powers in relation to the Immigration Appeal Division and the Refugee Appeal Division may only be delegated to the Deputy Chairperson, the Assistant Deputy Chairpersons, or other members, including coordinating members, of either of those Divisions; and
(d) powers in relation to the Immigration Division or the Refugee Protection Division may only be delegated to the Deputy Chairperson, the Assistant Deputy Chairpersons or other members, including coordinating members, of that Division.
Plain English
Section 159(1)(h) authorises the Chairperson to make rules, approved by the Governor in Council, respecting the activities, practice, and procedure of each division of the Board. These rules are the procedural codes for each division — the RPD Rules, RAD Rules, ID Rules, and IAD Rules.
The section also authorises the Chairperson to issue instructions on any matter falling within their jurisdiction, including guidelines on substantive issues that arise before the Board.
Practical effect
The division Rules are the primary procedural codes that practitioners must know when appearing before the IRB. They govern how claims are filed, when evidence must be disclosed, what the format of hearings is, and how adjournments are sought. The Rules are enforceable and deviations can result in claims being scheduled or decided adversely. The Chairperson's Guidelines, issued under this section, supplement the Rules with substantive guidance on refugee law and procedure.