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Last verified: March 2026 · Source: justice.gc.ca← Back to IRPA ExplorerLast verified: March 2026 · Source: justice.gc.ca
PART 4: Immigration and Refugee Board
§161

Rules

Rules

🍁 In Simple Terms

With approval from the Governor in Council, the Chairperson can make procedural rules for the Board covering things like how refugee claims are referred, how hearings are scheduled, how evidence is handled, and the languages used in proceedings. These rules shape how every case moves through the system.

Affects: Refugee claimants and protected persons
Legal Text — IRPA Section 161

(1)Subject to the approval of the Governor in Council, and in consultation with the Deputy Chairpersons, the Chairperson may make rules respecting(a) the referral of a claim for refugee protection to the Refugee Protection Division;

(a.1)the factors to be taken into account in fixing or changing the date of the hearing referred to in subsection 100(4.1);

(a.2)the activities, practice and procedure of each of the Divisions of the Board, including the periods for appeal, other than in respect of appeals of decisions of the Refugee Protection Division, the priority to be given to proceedings, the notice that is required and the period in which notice must be given;

(b)the conduct of persons in proceedings before the Board, as well as the consequences of, and sanctions for, the breach of those rules;

(c)the information that may be required and the manner in which, and the time within which, it must be provided with respect to a proceeding before the Board; and

(d)any other matter considered by the Chairperson to require rules.

Cross-References
In Practice
Official Source: Justice Canada — IRPA s. 161 (authoritative, may differ from this display)
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