Kotkova v. Canada (Minister of Citizenship and Immigration), 2004 FC 1188

Date: 20040831

Docket: IMM-4949-04

Citation: 2004 FC 1188

Ottawa, Ontario, this 31^st day of August, 2004

Present:           THE HONOURABLE MR. JUSTICE MAX M. TEITELBAUM                         

BETWEEN:

                                                            RAISSA KOTKOVA

                                                                                                                                            Applicant

                                                                           and

                                               THE MINISTER OF CITIZENSHIP

AND IMMIGRATION

                                                                                                                                        Respondent

                                            REASONS FOR ORDER AND ORDER

[1]                This is an Application for Leave and Judicial Review of a decision of the Refugee Protection Division dated the 24^th day of November, 2003, and received by the Applicant on the 4^th day of December, 2003, in which Board member, Rocco Famiglietti decided that the Applicant is not a Convention refugee and does not have the quality of a person in need of protection.

[2]                In addition, the Applicant applies to allow an extension of time under paragraph 72(2)(c) of the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act (the Act).

[3]                The present Application was filed with the office of the Court on June 1, 2004, outside the delay provided for by the Act.

[4]                It is extremely rare that reasons are given for deciding an Application for Leave and Judicial Review. In certain special occasions, such as the present one, reasons are necessary.

[5]                In the present case, the Applicant, Raissa Kotkova, a 67 year old Russian citizen, is claiming a fear of persecution on the basis that she is Jewish and, as a result, requires protection (see Board decision, page 1).

[6]                The Applicant's claim for refugee status was denied for a number of reasons.

[7]                In reading the decision of the Board member, he states in part:

Je conclus, que la demanderesse d'asile n'a pas la qualité de réfugié au sens de la Convention dans la mesure où elle ne craint pas d'être persécuté pour son appartenance à un groupe social particulier en Russie, ni pour sa nationalité juive. Je conclus également qu'elle n'a pas la qualité de personne à protéger dans la mesure où son renvoi en Russie ne l'exposerait pas personnellement à une menace à sa vie ou au risque de traitements ou de peines cruels et inusités en Russie. Mes raisons sont les suivantes.

[...]

La revendicatrice base sa revendication sur sa nationalité Juive. Son fils aurait aussi déjà demandé le statut de réfugié et avait basé sa demande sur sa nationalité juive. Sa demande aurait été refusée, à la suite de quoi il se serait rendu au Mexique, endroit où la revendicatrice l'aurait rejoint. La revendicatrice allègue qu'elle aurait toujours eu des problèmes à cause de sa nationalité. Questionné à savoir si elle pratiquait la religion, les coutumes ou connaissait la langue, la revendicatrice a répondu par la négative. La revendicatrice connaissait très peu de détails sur la communauté Juive de sa région. De plus, la revendicatrice en apparence, ne semble pas Juive et elle-même a admis que ses traits physiques n'indiquent pas qu'elle est Juive. (underlining mine)

[8]                In his reasons, on page 4, the Board member quotes from the case of Canada (Minister of Employment and Immigration) v. Villafranca, [1992] F.C.J. No. 1189 (F.C.A.) (QL), a decision dated December 18, 1992, where he states:

Aucun gouvernement qui professe des valeurs démocratiques ou affirme son respect des droits de la personne ne peut garantir la protection de chacun de ses citoyens en tout temps. (No government that makes any claim to democratic values or protection of human rights can guarantee the protection of all of its citizens at all times).

[9]                Let me first state that I am not convinced that Russia is a free and democratic state in its dealing with its Russian population, but this alone is not the reason why the Board member's decision cannot be left to stand.

[10]            In addition, I do not understand the Board member's comment when he states: "De plus, la revendicatrice en apparence ne semble pas juive". What does a Jewish person look like? Perhaps Mr. Famiglietti can inform me.

[11]            This statement by the Board member clearly indicates a reasonable apprehension of bias.

[12]            This reasonable apprehension of bias is sufficient for me to allow the Application for Leave and Judicial Review. A hearing date will be set by the Judicial Administrator. The Application for Extension of Time is also allowed.

                                               ORDER

THIS COURT ORDERS that Application for Leave and Judicial Review is allowed. A hearing date will be set by the Judicial Administrator. The Application for Extension of Time is also allowed.

              "Max M. Teitelbaum"        

            Judge

                                     FEDERAL COURT

    NAMES OF COUNSEL AND SOLICITORS OF RECORD

DOCKET:                                           IMM-4949-04

STYLE OF CAUSE :                          RAISSA KOTKOVA and

MINISTER OF CITIZENSHIP AND

IMMIGRATION

APPLICATION FOR LEAVE AND FOR JUDICIAL REVIEW DEALT WITHOUT THE APPEARANCE OF THE PARTIES                                              

REASONS FOR ORDER                  THE HONOURABLE MR. JUSTICE

AND ORDER BY:                             MAX M. TEITELBAUM

DATED :                                             August 31, 2004

WRITTEN REPRESENTATIONS BY :

Andrea C. Snizynsky                             FOR THE APPLICANT

Claudia Gagnon                                     FOR THE RESPONDENT

Gretchen Timmins

SOLICITORS OF RECORD :

Andrea C. Snizynsky                             FOR APPLICANT

Montreal, Quebec

Morris Rosenberg                                  FOR RESPONDENT

Deputy Attorney General of Canada     

Montreal, Quebec