Canada’s acceptance of refugee claims has ballooned in last 6 years — more for some countries than others

The number of refugee claimants accepted in Canada has more than doubled since 2018, with a significant increase in the recognition rate as well. A recent CBC investigation has shed light on the fact that some countries have a higher success rate in claiming asylum compared to others.

In 2023, close to 37,000 refugee claimants were granted asylum in Canada, up from just over 14,000 in 2018. The recognition rate, which measures the proportion of accepted refugee claims out of the total number of claims decided by the Immigration and Refugee Board on merit, also saw an increase to 82 per cent in the first nine months of 2024, up from 64 per cent in 2018.

While media coverage often focuses on asylum seekers from countries like India, Haiti, and Mexico, it is important to note that the highest number of asylum seekers granted refuge in Canada came from Iran and Turkey. These two countries saw over 95 per cent of decisions being positive, regardless of the type of persecution the individual was fleeing.

Experts have pointed out that there are two distinct systems for deciding asylum claims in Canada. One system tends to produce mostly positive decisions for individuals from countries that are considered sources of legitimate refugees, while the other system applies to everyone else. Critics argue that the former system, which involves less scrutiny of claims, is vulnerable to abuse.

One method of processing refugee claims faster is through a paper review, where cases can be decided without a hearing for individuals from countries with high acceptance rates who can prove their identity and have no credibility issues. However, this process has its risks, as there is less scrutiny of the person’s credibility compared to a hearing.

Vancouver refugee and immigration lawyer Mojdeh Shahriari, who specializes in cases from Iran, highlights the need for increased screenings overseas before individuals are granted visitor or student visas. She also emphasizes the importance of holding more hearings to ensure the legitimacy of asylum claims.

On the other hand, Toronto immigration lawyer Vakkas Bilsin represents many refugee clients from countries like Nigeria, where acceptance rates are lower. He explains that cases from these countries are often sent to hearings, where claimants must prove that they cannot be safe in any part of their country.

The disparity in the acceptance rates of asylum claims from different countries is a growing concern, with experts warning that without proper scrutiny, the system may be prone to abuse. As the rates of successful claims decided without hearings remain high, there is a need for a more thorough review process to ensure the integrity of Canada’s refugee protection system.