Gender Identity and Sexual Orientation Considerations in Proceedings Before the IRB

• Location/Format:  Live Webinar CPD CCIC Approval in Process (2.5 Hours)
• Presented By: Ms. Zdenka ACIN, RCIC- IRB (Class L3 - Unrestricted Practice)
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Event Objectives:

The primary objective of this course is to provide a comprehensive analysis of the Chairperson’s Guidelines, issued by the Chairperson of the Immigration and Refugee Board (IRB) pursuant to paragraph 159(1)(h) of the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act (IRPA). It will be examined how these specific Guidelines are designed to ensure fair and sensitive treatment of individuals with diverse sexual orientations, gender identities and expression (SOGIE), who are appearing before the IRB, and how these Guidelines aim, at the one hand, to promote considerations and understanding of the unique challenges faced by SOGIE individuals and, on the other hand, establishing guiding principles for decision-makers in adjudicating cases involving SOGIE. Namely, special focus will be on Guideline 4: Gender Considerations in Proceedings Before the IRB, which fosters consistency and fairness in the conduct of the IRB proceedings and in decision-making involving gender considerations, including the forms and impact of gender inequality, discrimination, and gender-based violence; it also emphasizes the importance of avoiding myths, stereotypes, and incorrect assumptions in decision-making regarding credibility findings; reaffirming the IRB’s commitment to, and the importance of, using an intersectional approach and principles of trauma-informed adjudication in proceedings involving gender considerations; and facilitating the participation of persons appearing before the IRB through sensitive adjudication with emphasis on the avoidance of re-traumatization. Furthermore, in the spotlight will be also Guideline 8: Accessibility to IRB Proceedings — Procedural Accommodations and Substantive Considerations [the IRB members should take this Guideline into account when exercising discretion under the Refugee Protection Division (RPD) Rules, and the Refugee Appeal Division (RAD) Rules, in particular to RPD Rules 10(5), 53(4) and 54(4), and to RAD Rules 66(4)(f) and 67(5)(j)]. Last but not least, we will discuss Guideline 9: Proceedings Before the IRB Involving Sexual Orientation, Gender Identity and Expression, and Sex Characteristics (SOGIESC), which is increasing awareness of circumstances unique to SOGIESC individuals that may affect findings of fact and findings of mixed fact and law in each of the four IRB divisions: the Immigration Division (ID), the Immigration Appeal Division (IAD), the Refugee Protection Division (RPD), and the Refugee Appeal Division (RAD).

This seminar is prepared and presented for RCIC & RISIA

·         Live Format: Registrants will have an opportunity to interact with the educator and other registrants in real time dur8ing the live presentation. Please attend and access the course on the date and time mentioned in live webinar registration instructions.  Registrant is responsible to read regulator's regulations for reporting and expiration policy. 

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