‘Canada’s asylum system is broken’
Immigration minister introduces reforms to fast-track refugee claims
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Under the guise of protecting what he calls “bona fide refugees,” federal Immigration Minister Jason Kenney has introduced reforms to Canada’s refugee system that would see claimants get access to hearings faster and those whose claims are denied deported more quickly. “Canada’s asylum system is broken,” Kenney said Tuesday, promising “fast and fair decisions on asylum claims” within 60 days. Under the current system, asylum seekers can wait up to 19 months before getting a hearing and failed claimants can take up to 4.5 years exhausting their appeals. Under Kenney’s proposal, rejected claims would result in deportation within a year. Ottawa pegs the cost of the reforms at $540.7 million over the first five years and $85.4 million per year after that.