An investigation found that the Member breached the Code of Conduct for Members of the Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada (the Code). The Complainant, who was legal counsel for refugee claimants, made three allegations following their hearing at the Refugee Protection Division. Two of the three allegations in the complaint were screened out of the complaints process, as they were regarding adjudicative independence.
One allegation concerning the Member's conduct was investigated. The Complainant alleged that the Member made disrespectful comments about the traumatic situation of the claimant's relative. The Ombudsperson's investigation concluded that there was evidence to support the allegation. The Chairperson's decision was that there was a breach of the Code.