Date:
20120517
Docket:
IMM-949-11
Citation:
2012 FC 580
[UNREVISED
ENGLISH CERTIFIED TRANSLATION]
Ottawa, Ontario, May 17, 2012
PRESENT: The
Honourable Mr. Justice Shore
BETWEEN:
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BUROU JEANTY DUFOUR
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Applicant
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and
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THE MINISTER OF
CITIZENSHIP
AND IMMIGRATION
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Respondent
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REASONS FOR
JUDGMENT AND JUDGMENT
I. Preliminary
[1]
The
Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms, Part I of the Constitution
Act, 1982, (R-7) being Schedule B to the Canada Act 1982 (U.K.),
1982, c 11 (Charter), does not give licence to abandon responsibilities with
respect to the community. No liberty is limitless. Every freedom comes with a
responsibility.
[2]
The
Charter, by its simple presence, confirms that human beings are born free; however,
with their liberty comes responsibility.
[3]
The
great wise man Sri Aurobindo once said [translation]
“law is the child of freedom”. In the same way that parents are responsible for
their children, the adherence to responsibilities is safeguarded by the
implementation of legislation by which responsibilities are assumed.
[4]
Since
his arrival in Canada, the applicant has accumulated serious convictions,
namely, assault with a weapon and breaking and entering with intent. Those
crimes put the Canadian population at risk. The intent of subsection 68(4) of
the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act, 2001, c 27 (IRPA), is to
protect the public against criminals, such as the applicant, who failed to take
advantage of the second chance they were given.
[5]
The
Court agrees with the respondent’s arguments that declaring subsection 68(4) of
the IRPA unconstitutional would constitutionalize the right of appeal, the grounds
of appeal and the continuation of the appeal (or the continuation of the stay
of the removal order). However, the Supreme Court has repeatedly noted that the
right of appeal is not a principle of fundamental justice or a requirement of
the rule of law (Charkaoui v Canada (Minister of Citizenship and Immigration),
2007 SCC 9, [2007] 1 S.C.R. 350 at paragraphs 133-137 (Charkaoui); Medovarski
v Canada (Minister of Citizenship and Immigration), 2005 SCC 51, [2005] 2 SCR
539 at paragraph 47 (Medovarski); Canada (Minister of Employment and
Immigration) v Chiarelli, [1992] 1 S.C.R. 711 (Chiarelli)).
II. Introduction
[6]
The
applicant approached this Court because the Canada Border Services Agency
(CBSA), acting on behalf of the Minister, issued a notice of cancellation by
operation of law of the stay of the removal order that he was the subject of. The
applicant submits, in support of his application, that that process, which occurred
without him having the opportunity to respond to the allegations, even if his
deportation was underway, was unconstitutional. The constitutional validity of
the “automatic” cancellation of the stay of the removal under subsection 68(4) of
the IRPA is therefore at the basis of the arguments submitted by the applicant.
[7]
First,
it is important to point out that the objectives of the IRPA were enumerated in
Ramnanan v Canada (Minister of Citizenship and Immigration), 2008 FC 404
(Ramnanan):
I. Overview
[1] The objectives of the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act,
S.C. 2001, c. 27 (IRPA), enumerated in section 3 are two-fold: paragraphs
(a) to (g) contain objectives aimed at facilitating immigration
and family reunification; whereas, paragraphs (h) and (l) aim to
protect the health, safety and security of the Canadian society.
[2] In drafting the new immigration legislation,
Parliament decided the tipping point had been reached and it intended, for the
sake of the security of Canadian society, to restrict access to Canada for
persons inadmissible on grounds of criminality, serious criminality and to
those who engage in violence, terrorism or violations of international and
human rights. [The intention of Parliament in that regard materializes in
various provisions, for example, in s. 64, ss. 68(4), s. 196 and s. 197 of the
IRPA. (Medovarski v. Canada (Minister of Citizenship and Immigration),
[2005] 2 S.C.R. 539; Martin v. Canada (Minister of Citizenship and Immigration),
2005 FC 60.)]
[3] The new legislation in question reflects a policy decision as is
clearly interpreted with a quote from the House of Commons Standing Committee
on Citizenship and Immigration, Evidence, May 8, 2001, cited by the Rt. Hon.
Beverley McLachlin, Chief Justice of Canada, in the unanimous Medovarski
judgment (reference therein is made to paragraphs 9 to 12 inclusively).
[4] It is recognized that the Medovarski judgment was revisited
in the unanimous Charkaoui v. Canada (Minister of Citizenship and
Immigration), 2007 SCC 9, [2007] 1 S.C.R. 350, decision, at paragraphs 16
and 17.
[5] In a Pre-Removal Risk Assessment (PRRA), for example, it is
incumbent to take into account:
[16] … that “[t]he most fundamental principle of immigration law is
that non-citizens do not have an unqualified right to enter or remain in
Canada”. The Court added: “Thus the deportation of a non-citizen in itself
cannot implicate the liberty and security interests protected by s. 7” (Medovarski,
at para. 46 (emphasis added)).
[17] Medovarski thus does not stand for the proposition that proceedings related
to deportation in the immigration context are immune from s. 7 scrutiny. While
the deportation of a non-citizen in the immigration context may not in itself
engage s. 7 of the Charter, some features associated with deportation, such as
detention in the course of the certificate process or the prospect of
deportation to torture, may do so.”
(Charkaoui . . . ).
III. Judicial procedure
[8]
This
is a judicial procedure by which the applicant is asking this Court to have
subsection 68(4) of the IRPA declared constitutionally invalid and of no force
and effect. The applicant also contests the CBSA decision that, as of January
26, 2011, cancelled the stay of the removal order issued against him.
IV. Facts
[9]
The
applicant, Burou Jeanty Dufour, was born on June 5, 1987, in Haiti, where he
lived until he arrived in Canada on June 22, 2002. The applicant was adopted by
Joseph Dufour on October 7, 2002. Once he arrived in Canada, the
applicant went to live in Chicoutimi with his adoptive father. He became a
permanent resident of Canada on February 4, 2004. In January 2007, the
applicant decided to live on his own in Québec to pursue his studies. It was at
that time that the applicant started to get involved in some serious trouble.
[10]
On
October 12, 2007, the applicant was convicted of obstructing justice, as
described in subsection 139(2) of the Criminal Code, LRC, 1985, c C-46 (Respondent’s
Record (RR) at page 16).
[11]
On
October 15, 2008, he was convicted of assault with a weapon or causing bodily
harm as described in paragraph 267(a) of the Criminal Code (RR at
page 15).
[12]
On
November 4, 2008, an officer issued a report stating that Mr. Dufour was
inadmissible to Canada on grounds of serious criminality (RR at page 20 et
seq).
[13]
On
March 12,
2009, the Immigration Division (ID) found that Mr. Dufour was inadmissible on
grounds of serious criminality and ordered that he be deported (RR at page 28 et
seq); a removal order was therefore issued against him (RR at page 32).
[14]
On
April 16, 2010, the Immigration Appeal Division (IAD) ordered the stay of the
removal order for five years and imposed certain conditions on Mr. Dufour, which
are set out in the decision (RR at page 34 et seq).
[15]
On
December 16, 2010, Mr. Dufour pleaded guilty and was convicted of conspiracy and
breaking and
entering with intent in a place other than a dwelling-house, offences set out in
paragraphs 465(01)(c) and 348(01)(b)(e) of the Criminal
Code (Applicant’s Record at pages 101 to 109). He was sentenced, in case
150-01-031501-100 in Chicoutimi, Quebec, to a total of 120 days in prison
followed by 24 months of probation.
[16]
Further
to the applicant’s conviction for those offences, which are punishable by imprisonment for a term not
exceeding ten years
and which therefore result in inadmissibility on grounds of serious
criminality, the Minister sent the IAD, on January 13, 2011, a notice of cancellation
by operation of law of the stay of the removal order pursuant to subsection 68(4)
of the IRPA (Tribunal Record (TR) at pages 5-6).
[17]
On
January 26,
2011, the IAD found that the stay was cancelled by operation of law and that
the appeal was terminated (TR at page 1 et seq).
V. Decision under review
[18]
In
support of a notice of cancellation by operation of law of the stay of a
removal order issued by the CBSA, the IAD reproduced subsection 68(4) and
paragraph 36(1)(a) of the IRPA in its decision and reiterated the
reasons issued in the Minister’s notice dated January 13, 2011, which were sent
to Mr. Dufour:
[4] In a letter dated January 13, 2011, the
Minister’s Counsel submitted a notice of cancellation by operation of law of
the stay of the removal order in accordance with subsection 68(4) of the Act.
[5] The
Minister alleged essentially that, on December 16, 2010, the
appellant was convicted of the offence stipulated in paragraph 348(1)(b)(e)
of the Criminal Code, namely, breaking and entering with intent in a
place other than a dwelling-house. The offence was committed on or around
November 16, 2010, and is punishable by imprisonment for a term not exceeding
ten years.
. . .
[8] After
the stay of the removal order was granted, the appellant was convicted of
another offence involving serious criminality as indicated in subsection 36(1)
of the Act. The stay is automatically cancelled by operation of law and
the appeal is terminated.
[9] The
appeal is terminated by operation of law.
[19]
The
stay of the removal order was previously granted by the IAD following an appeal
by Mr. Dufour pursuant to subsection 63(3) of the IRPA. The IAD then applied
the cancellation by operation of law, set out in subsection 68(4) of the IRPA,
of the stay of the removal order because of the applicant’s conviction on
December 16, 2010.
VI. Issue
[20]
Did
the IAD err in law in that subsection 68(4) of the IRPA is constitutionally
invalid because it violates sections 7, 12 and 15 of the Constitution Act,
1982?
VII. Relevant statutory provisions
[21]
As
the central argument of the present judicial review, the applicant contests the
constitutionality of subsection 68(4) of the IRPA:
Termination
and cancellation
(4) If the Immigration Appeal
Division has stayed a removal order against a permanent resident or a foreign
national who was found inadmissible on grounds of serious criminality or
criminality, and they are convicted of another offence referred to in
subsection 36(1), the stay is cancelled by operation of law and the appeal is
terminated.
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Classement
et annulation
(4) Le sursis de la mesure de
renvoi pour interdiction de territoire pour grande criminalité ou criminalité
est révoqué de plein droit si le résident permanent ou l’étranger est reconnu
coupable d’une autre infraction mentionnée au paragraphe 36(1), l’appel étant
dès lors classé.
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[22]
Paragraph
36(1)(a) of the IRPA, to which subsection 68(4) of the IRPA refers,
reads as follows:
Serious
criminality
36. (1) A
permanent resident or a foreign national is inadmissible on grounds of
serious criminality for
(a) having been
convicted in Canada of an offence under an Act of Parliament punishable by a
maximum term of imprisonment of at least 10 years, or of an offence under an
Act of Parliament for which a term of imprisonment of more than six months
has been imposed
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Grande
criminalité
36. (1) Emportent
interdiction de territoire pour grande criminalité les faits suivants :
a) être déclaré coupable au
Canada d’une infraction à une loi fédérale punissable d’un emprisonnement
maximal d’au moins dix ans ou d’une infraction à une loi fédérale pour laquelle
un emprisonnement de plus de six mois est infligé;
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VIII. Position of the parties
[23]
The
applicant first raises subsection 57(1) of the Federal Courts Act, RS
(1985), c F-7, to point out that the Federal Court has jurisdiction to
invalidate, render inapplicable or render inoperable an Act of Parliament or
the legislature of a province, or regulations made under such an Act, if its
constitutional validity is in question, to the extent that notice has been
served on the Attorney General of Canada and the attorney general of each
province, a step the applicant took in his Notice of Constitutional Question.
[24]
In
support of his application, Mr. Dufour argues that subsection 68(4) is contrary
to sections 7, 12 and 15 of the Charter. He submits that he is the father of a
Canadian child, he has plans for the future, he enrolled in masonry training at
the École des métiers de la construction de Montréal and he wishes to
reintegrate back into Canadian society. The applicant maintains that the
decision against him failed to consider his general situation, his age, his
family relationships in Canada, the presence or absence of people that could
welcome him in his country of origin and the likelihood of him reintegrating
himself into his country of origin. According to the applicant, subsection 68(4)
of the IRPA absolutely denies an individual’s right to be heard because, once
the notice is issued, the appeal is terminated and the person finds him- or
herself faced with a fait accompli. He cites Németh v Canada (Justice),
2010 SCC 56, [2010] 3 S.C.R. 281 in support of his argument.
[25]
In
reply, the applicant noted that he contests the constitutional validity of the cancellation
“by operation of law” of the stay of the removal in subsection 68(4) of the
IRPA, that is, without a hearing at which Mr. Dufour would have been able to
appear to show his evidence and explain the subsequent conviction, which finds
its basis in the audi alteram partem rule. He submits that Ramnanan
did not completely close the door to the argument that subsection 68(4) of the
IRPA is unconstitutional (at paragraph 56). He also maintains that he will be
separated from his family and removed to Haiti, where his life and physical safety
will be in danger. In that sense, according to him, he received a second
sentence.
[26]
The
respondent alleges that the purpose of the cancellation by operation of law of
subsection 68(4) of the IRPA is not to punish Mr. Dufour, but to allow for the
removal of an individual who did not comply with the conditions of a stay. The respondent
also notes that the applicant does not challenge the application of the law in his
case, but, rather, only the constitutionality of the law. He argues that the
applicant’s arguments must overcome several pitfalls: first, the applicant has no
absolute right to enter or to remain in Canada, a right reserved for Canadian
citizens; second, the courts, namely the Supreme Court, rejected his arguments
and humanitarian and compassionate grounds are only relevant in the context of
an application filed to that effect. According to the respondent, the evidence
and the arguments made by the applicant do not enable the Court to disregard settled
law that permits Parliament to restrict the right of appeal as it sees fit.
IX. Standard of review
[27]
Pursuant
to Dunsmuir v New Brunswick, 2008 SCC 9, [2008] 1 S.C.R. 190, at paragraph
62, (also, Canada (Minister of Citizenship and Immigration) v Khosa,
2009 SCC 12, [2009] 1 S.C.R. 339 at paragraph 53), the jurisprudence has already determined
in a satisfactory manner the degree of deference to be accorded with regard to
a particular category of question:
[23] The standard
of review for the decision of the IAD in interpreting the relevant provisions
of the IRPA, is correctness. (Singh v. Canada (Minister of Citizenship and
Immigration), 2005 FCA 417, para. 23; Carbonaro v. Canada (Minister of
Citizenship and Immigration), 2006 FC 102, paras. 19-21; Bautista v.
Canada (Minister of Citizenship and Immigration), 2006 FC 30, para. 9; Medovarski
v. Canada (Minister of Citizenship and Immigration), 4 F.C.R. 48 (F.C.A.),
aff’d [2005] S.C.R. 539, para. 18; Ferri v. Canada (Minister of Citizenship
and Immigration), 2005 FC 1580, para. 14.)
(Ramnanan).
Preliminary
issue
[28]
On
January 26, 2011, the IAD noted Mr. Dufour’s conviction, confirmed that he was
inadmissible on grounds of serious criminality a second time and terminated his
appeal. In his application, Mr. Dufour submits that the CBSA decision (the
notice from the Minister that was sent to him on January 13, 2011) to
cancel the stay of a removal order should be set aside. However, the respondent
notes that the applicant does not challenge the reasons given by the IAD on
January 26, 2011, contrary to settled law (Respondent’s Memorandum at
page 6). According to Mr. Dufour’s reply, it would seem that he does not
contest the IAD’s reasons, but rather the fact that the matter was referred to
the IAD without him having the opportunity to reply to the allegations. However,
as noted by the respondent, the application for leave and judicial review dated
January 28, 2011, refers to the IAD file (MA9-03801).
X. Analysis
[29]
The
applicant submits that subsection 68(4) of the IRPA generates the type of
situation in which an individual such as himself, who has lived close to ten
years in Canada since he was very young, would be forced to return to his
country of citizenship even though his family is in Canada, even though he was
educated in the Canadian school system and even though his future plans include
Canada. According to the applicant, all of this constitutes a violation of the
right to security of the person, both physical and psychological.
[30]
Mr.
Dufour’s arguments are not entirely new. In Ramnanan, the Federal Court
found that subsection 68(4) did not violate the right of permanent residents to
life, liberty and security of the person protected by section 7 of the Charter.
[31]
In
the context of other IRPA provisions, or the former Immigration Act, RSC
1985, c I-2, which restrict or restricted the right of appeal of permanent
residents convicted of criminal offences, the applicant’s other arguments were
also rejected (Chiarelli; Medovarski).
[32]
Similarly,
it must be noted that the panel agreed to the suggestion that the removal order
be stayed for five years.
In other words, the applicant was given every opportunity to rehabilitate
himself according to Canadian laws. In ordering the stay of the removal order
in its decision dated April 16, 2010, the IAD stated the following:
[14] The appellant’s testimony showed that he
does not fully acknowledge responsibility for the crimes he committed, even
though he was convicted. The appellant testified that he has learned from his
mistakes. The appellant is a young man and comes across as sincere when he says
that he has good intentions. He has an opportunity to make a life for himself
in Canada, and the panel hopes that the removal order that was issued will be a
lesson and that he will stay on the right path.
[33]
The
list of the stay conditions included the following condition: “Not commit any
criminal offences.” (TR at page 22).
The mechanism of the
IRPA
[34]
When
the CBSA finds that a permanent resident is inadmissible, an officer prepares a
report setting out the relevant facts that led him or her to draw such an
inference. That officer transmits it to the officer who will exercise the
jurisdiction delegated by the Minister in similar circumstances (at subsection 44(1)
of the IRPA). If the delegate is of the opinion that the report is well-founded,
the delegate may refer the report to the ID (at subsection 44(2) of the IRPA) who
will carry out an admissibility hearing (section 45 of the IRPA). When the ID
also finds that the report is well‑founded, it issues the removal order.
[35]
In
this case, the ID found that Mr. Dufour was inadmissible on grounds of serious
criminality (at subsection 36(1) of the IRPA) and ordered that he be deported.
Because Mr. Dufour was not sentenced to at least two years imprisonment, he was
able to appeal to the IAD, a court of competent jurisdiction in such
circumstances (at subsection 63(3) of the IRPA).
[36]
At
the conclusion of the appeal hearing, the IAD has three options: allow the
appeal, order the stay of the removal order or dismiss the appeal (sections
66-69 of the IRPA). If it orders the stay, it is accompanied by prescribed
conditions (section 251 of the Immigration and Refugee Protection
Regulations, SOR/2002-227 (IRPR)) and conditions that it considers necessary
under the circumstances (at subsection 68(2) of the IRPA). In this case, the
IAD stayed Mr. Dufour’s removal order for five years with other conditions.
[37]
A
permanent resident who complies with the terms of the “second chance” he or she
is thus given may request the cancellation of the removal order (at subsection 68(3)
of the IRPA). However, when, during the stay, the permanent resident who is
inadmissible on grounds of serious criminality or criminality is convicted of
another offence involving serious criminality, the stay is cancelled by
operation of law and the appeal is terminated (at subsection 68(4) of the IRPA).
[38]
Regarding
subsection 68(4) of the IRPA, the Minister sends the IAD and the permanent
resident a notice of cancellation of the stay in which he provides the details
of the conviction and the offence, the federal statutory provision that creates
the offence and the sentence imposed if the offence is not punishable by a
maximum term of imprisonment of at least 10 years (Immigration Appeal
Division Rules, SOR/2002-230 at subsections 27(1) and (2)). The IAD’s
decision and the notice are distinct.
[39]
In
this case, because Mr. Dufour was convicted of another offence involving
serious criminality, the Minister transmitted a notice of cancellation by
operation of law of the stay order that was granted to him by the IAD. On
January 26, 2011, the IAD noted Mr. Dufour’s conviction, confirmed that he was
inadmissible on grounds of serious criminality a second time and terminated his
appeal.
Intent of the IRPA
[40]
By
adopting the provisions of the IRPA, one of Parliament’s objectives was to
facilitate the removal of permanent residents who are engaged in serious
criminality. In Medovarski, the Supreme Court pointed out that this intent
is clear:
9 The IRPA enacted a series of provisions
intended to facilitate the removal of permanent residents who have engaged in
serious criminality. This intent is reflected in the objectives of the IRPA,
the provisions of the IRPA governing permanent residents and the
legislative hearings preceding the enactment of the IRPA.
10 The objectives as expressed in the IRPA
indicate an intent to prioritize security. This objective is given effect by
preventing the entry of applicants with criminal records, by removing
applicants with such records from Canada, and by emphasizing the obligation of
permanent residents to behave lawfully while in Canada. This marks a
change from the focus in the predecessor statute, which emphasized the
successful integration of applicants more than security: e.g., see s. 3(1)(i)
of the IRPA versus s. 3(j) of the former Act; s. 3(1)(e)
of the IRPA versus s. 3(d) of the former Act; s. 3(1)(h)
of the IRPA versus s. 3(i) of the former Act. Viewed
collectively, the objectives of the IRPA and its provisions concerning
permanent residents, communicate a strong desire to treat criminals and
security threats less leniently than under the former Act.
11 In keeping with these objectives, the IRPA
creates a new scheme whereby persons sentenced to more than six months in
prison are inadmissible: IRPA, s. 36(1)(a). If
they have been sentenced to a prison term of more than two years then they are
denied a right to appeal their removal order: IRPA, s. 64.
Provisions allowing judicial review mitigate the finality of these provisions,
as do appeals under humanitarian and compassionate grounds and pre-removal risk
assessments. However, the Act is clear: a prison term of over six months
will bar entry to Canada; a prison term of over two years bans an appeal.
12 In introducing the IRPA, the Minister
emphasized that the purpose of provisions such as s. 64 was to remove the right
to appeal by serious criminals. She voiced the concern that
“those who pose a security risk to Canada be removed from our country as
quickly as possible” (Standing Committee on Citizenship and Immigration, Evidence,
May 8, 2001).
[Emphasis added.]
[41]
Thus,
subsection 68(4) of the IRPA is not intended to punish permanent residents, but
to protect the public by restricting access to permanent residents who are
inadmissible on grounds of serious criminality and allow the prompt removal of
those who do not embrace the opportunity given to them to reform during the
stay of the removal order (Singh v Canada (Minister of Citizenship and Immigration),
2005 FCA 417, [2006] 3 FCR 70, at paragraph 41; also, Ramnanan).
[42]
Since
coming to Canada, Mr. Dufour has accumulated serious convictions, namely,
assault with a weapon and breaking and entering with intent. Those crimes put
the Canadian population at risk. Subsection 68(4) of the IRPA is indeed
intended to protect the public against criminals, such as Mr. Dufour, who
failed to take advantage of the second chance given to them.
Subsection 68(4) is
constitutional and consistent with the Charter
[43]
The
Court agrees with the respondent’s arguments that declaring subsection 68(4) of
the IRPA unconstitutional would constitutionalize the right of appeal, the
grounds of appeal and the continuation of appeals (or the continuation of the stay
of the removal order). However, the Supreme Court has consistently stated that
the right of appeal is not a principle of fundamental justice or a rule of law
requirement (Charkaoui at paragraphs 133-137; Medovarski at
paragraph 47; Chiarelli).
[44]
The
applicant submitted that the automatic cancellation of the stay, by operation
of law and without him having had the opportunity to explain the reasons for
his conviction and the context in which it occurred, constitutes a violation of
his constitutional guarantees (Reply to the Respondent’s Memorandum at page 7).
However, the applicant provided no reason or explanation for the context of his
conviction to the court, much less the panel.
[45]
For
these same reasons, humanitarian and compassionate considerations (paragraph
67(1)(c) of the IRPA) only constitute a ground of appeal if Parliament has
so decided. By adopting subsection 68(4) of the IRPA, it intended for appeals to
be terminated based solely on an inadmissibility finding, without examination
of other issues (Bautista v Canada (Minister of Citizenship and Immigration),
2006 FC 30 at paragraph 16). The Charter does not require that humanitarian and
compassionate considerations be incorporated into each and every provision of
the IRPA.
[46]
For
those reasons, subsection 68(4) of the IRPA is consistent with section 7 of the
Charter. It also does not constitute a sentence or cruel and unusual treatment
and is not contrary to section 12 of the Charter. With respect to section 15 of
the Charter, only Canadian citizens have the constitutional right to enter,
remain in and leave Canada. A provision like subsection 68(4) of the IRPA, which
restricts the right of permanent residents to remain in Canada in a manner that
is not imposed on citizens, cannot therefore, by that fact alone, constitute a
violation of the right to equality enshrined in section 15 of the Charter.
XI. Conclusion
[47]
The
applicant has a relatively long criminal record. He did not comply with his
obligations as a permanent resident, and did not take the second chance that
was offered to him by the IAD. All of the applicant’s arguments regarding the
constitutionality of subsection 68(4) of the IRPA have also already been
dismissed by this Court and courts of superior jurisdiction. As a result, the
applicant’s application for judicial review is dismissed.
JUDGMENT
THE
COURT ORDERS the dismissal of the
applicant’s application for judicial review. No serious question of general
importance for certification.
Obiter:
This case has already been
adjourned at the request of the two parties, with the explicit agreement of the
Minister, because of the issue of the citizenship of children adopted by
Canadians. This is still an issue. It is now the subject of a separate judicial
review proceeding, which the undersigned is not seized of. Furthermore, there
is an underlying factor of humanitarian and compassionate considerations given
that the individual was adopted as a child by a Canadian couple.
It is important for this proceeding
to respond directly to only the issues in this case rather than to rule
directly (or even indirectly, or unconsciously) on elements or factors that
will come into play (in due course) eventually in a different forum where those
factors will be considered (to not mitigate what should be determined by this
Court in this case).
“Michel
M.J. Shore”
Certified
true translation
Janine
Anderson, Translator