Date: 20090706
Docket: IMM-5158-08
Citation: 2009 FC 703
Ottawa, Ontario, July 6, 2009
PRESENT: The Honourable Mr. Justice Russell
BETWEEN:
GARVEY
ANDRE BLACK
Applicant
and
THE MINISTER OF
CITIZENSHIP AND IMMIGRATION
Respondent
REASONS FOR JUDGMENT AND JUDGMENT
[1]
This is an application pursuant to subsection 72(1) of the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act, S.C. 2001, c. 27 (Act) for judicial
review of a decision by the Immigration and Refugee Board, Appeal Division
(IAD) dated October 24, 2008 (Decision) which dismissed the Applicant’s appeal
of his deportation order.
BACKGROUND
[2]
The
Applicant was born in Jamaica on April 9, 1975. He
became a permanent resident of Canada on July 17, 1990 at the age of 15 after
being sponsored by his mother, who was already living in Canada with an aunt and
a few cousins. The Applicant does not know his father and his mother was never
married. The rest of the Applicant’s family members reside in Jamaica (including
maternal grand-parents, uncles and cousins). The Applicant does not have any
siblings and has only travelled to Jamaica once (in 1994 or 1995)
since he arrived in Canada. The Applicant’s mother and his other relatives in Canada travel to Jamaica quite
frequently.
[3]
The
Applicant is not married and does not have any relationship or children. He
lived with his mother for about five years, moved into an apartment with a
friend named Sean, and then moved into a rooming house on Kingston Road in
Toronto.
[4]
Before
coming to Canada, the Applicant was in grade 8 at school. He was not able to go
beyond grade 10 in Canada. He registered at an adult school but he did
not stay long enough and decided to cease his education. His working history in
Canada involves several jobs in the restaurant business including assistant
chef or chef. At present he is living off social assistance, as he has
frequently in the past.
[5]
At
the time of the IAD hearing, the Applicant’s criminal record revealed 15
convictions for offences from 1991 to 2007. The crimes for which he has been
sentenced include: possession of narcotics; theft; possession of a credit card
obtained by crime; failure to attend court; failure to comply with a recognizance;
failure to comply with probation orders; obstruction of a peace officer; two
convictions for assaulting a peace officer; and assault with a weapon.
[6]
The
Applicant had a previous deportation order made against him on January 13, 1998
on the basis of two counts of break and enter for which he was convicted on
October 17, 1995 and sentenced to 35 days in prison and probation of 24 months.
The removal order was stayed by the IAD on March 10, 1999, reviewed on February
2, 2000 and renewed on March 16, 2000 for a period of four years. On June 5,
2002 the case was reviewed by the IAD and the stay maintained with amended
conditions. On February 18, 2004, following a final review by the IAD, the stay
was cancelled and the appeal was allowed and the removal order quashed.
[7]
One
of the key conditions of the stay required the Applicant to participate in
“psychotherapy or counselling with a registered psychologist” and to “engage in
psychotherapy or counselling.” This was because the Applicant was thought to
suffer from some type of mental disability that had not been diagnosed. The
Applicant did not abide by his stay conditions but the IAD disposed of the stay
on April 8, 2004 because the Applicant provided a letter indicating that he was
“an in-patient at the Scarborough Hospital-General Division from October 15,
2002 to October 30, 2002” and he had a “diagnosis of schizophrenia (Paranoid
Type).”
[8]
The
offence that triggered the decision of the IRB was one count of assault with a
weapon contrary to section 267(a) of the Criminal Code, committed on
November 21, 2006, for which the Applicant was convicted on February 13, 2007.
The Applicant was sentenced to 1 day in jail and 3 years probation, in light of
84 days of pre-sentence custody. There was also an order of prohibition/seizure
for 10 years and the Applicant had to provide a DNA sample for future
reference.
[9]
The
Applicant appealed pursuant to subsection 63(3) of the Act from a deportation
order made against him on February 4, 2008 by the Immigration and Refugee Board
(IRB). The IRB found the Applicant inadmissible for serious criminality under
paragraph 36(1)(a) of the Act for having been convicted in Canada of an
offence punishable by a maximum term of at least ten years. The Applicant filed
a Notice of Appeal that month and included a note advising the IAD that a
designated representative had been used in the past.
[10]
On
July 2, 2008, the hearing was adjourned to September 10, 2008 to give the
Applicant an opportunity to retain counsel. The Applicant, who was detained at
Central East Correctional Centre, was brought before the IAD on September 10,
2008.
[11]
The
Applicant did not challenge the legal validity of the removal order, but asked
the IAD to allow the appeal based on paragraph 67(1)(c) of the Act, or
to stay the removal order under subsection 68(1) of the Act. The Minister asked
for a dismissal of the appeal. The Applicant’s appeal was dismissed on October
24, 2008.
DECISION UNDER REVIEW
[12]
The
issue before the IAD was whether, pursuant to paragraph 67(1)(c) of the
Act, it should allow the appeal or, pursuant to subsection 68(1) of the Act,
stay the removal order.
[13]
At
the outset of the hearing, the IAD noted that the Applicant was lucid and
understood the nature of the proceedings. The Applicant’s mother was asked to
act as a designated representative for the whole proceeding and she accepted
this role.
[14]
The
IAD looked at the factors in Ribic v. Canada (Minister of
Employment and Immigration), [1985] I.A.B.D. No. 4
(Ribic) as a guideline for exercising its discretion regarding subsections
67(1)(c) and 68(1) of the Act. See also: Chieu v. Canada (Minister of
Citizenship and Immigration), [2002] 1 S.C.R. 84 and Al Sagban v.
Canada (Minister of Citizenship and Immigration), [2002] 1 S.C.R.
133. These factors, which are not exhaustive, include:
1)
Seriousness
of rehabilitation;
2)
Possibility
of rehabilitation;
3)
Length
of time spent in Canada and degree to which the appellant is
established;
4)
Presence
of family in Canada and impact that the removal of the appellant would cause;
5)
Support
available for the appellant not only within the family but also within the
community; and
6)
Degree
of hardship that the appellant will face by his return to his country of
nationality.
[15]
The
weight to be given to each of these factors varies according to the particular
circumstances of the case: Olaso v. Canada (Minister of Citizenship and Immigration), [2000]
F.C.J. No. 1265 (F.C.T.D.). The IAD noted that the objectives of the Act include
protecting the safety of Canadians and maintaining the security of Canadian
society: paragraph 3(1)(h) of the Act. The IAD also commented that it
was “alive, alert and sensitive” to the best interests of any child directly
affected by the outcome of this appeal”: Baker v. Canada (Minister of
Citizenship and Immigration), [1999] 2 S.C.R. 817; Hawthorne v. Canada (Minister of
Citizenship and Immigration) 2002 FCA 475 and Kolosovs v. Canada
(Minister of Citizenship and Immigration) 2008 FC 165.
Seriousness of the
Criminal Offences
[16]
The
IAD observed that the Applicant has a lengthy and serious criminal record that
began at the age of 16, just after his arrival in Canada as a permanent resident.
These crimes continued into the Applicant’s adulthood. Due to his mental health
challenges, his initial removal order was quashed because he was allegedly
receiving some treatment at that time. However, the Applicant did not, in fact,
undergo any treatment or programs and committed two more serious crimes on
November 21, 2006 and September 11, 2007. His conviction on February 13, 1007
(assault with a weapon) triggered a Report under subsection 44(1) of the Act
and resulted in the second removal order made against him.
[17]
After
the Applicant had completed his prison sentence, and before he was detained on
immigration hold, the police record shows that the other residents in the
rooming house where the Applicant was living were afraid of him and had called
the police to accompany them into the house in order to get their belongings. The
Applicant was bullying some of them.
[18]
The
IAD found that the Applicant’s record established a pattern of criminal conduct
that weighed heavily against him. The IAD considered the seriousness and length
of the criminal offences and the objectives of the Act in paragraph 3(1)(h).
It concluded that the serious offences were not isolated incidents; nor had
they arisen in extenuating circumstances. The offences were indicative of the
Applicant’s normal character and conduct and revealed a criminal disposition.
The Applicant did not care about the “numerous chances granted to him in order
to change his criminal behaviour and seek help when necessary.” The IAD concluded
that the “Applicant presents an unacceptable risk to Canadian society and
Canadian citizens.”
Possibility
of Rehabilitation
[19]
The
IAD pointed out that the onus was on the Applicant to establish the possibility
of rehabilitation, but no evidence was presented. There had been no significant
measures undertaken by the Applicant to rehabilitate, even after the first
removal order was quashed in 2004. The IAD held that the Applicant “did not
learn from his criminal convictions and [was] not deterred from criminal
behaviour.” The Applicant was in “total denial” and “had a different version of
the facts, particularly concerning the two recent assault convictions.” The IAD
did not hear from the Applicant any “expression of sincere and profound remorse
for his actions, except that his mother admitted that her son needs help.”
[20]
The
IAD considered the Applicant’s mental health challenges and the relationship
between his diagnosis of schizophrenia in 1999 and his criminality. The
Applicant testified that he was willing to see a psychiatrist. The IAD
concluded, however, that “he was never serious or willing to pursue
[counselling programs and medication on a voluntary basis] in a satisfying
manner.” The IAD gained the impression that the Applicant thought nobody could
touch him because his lawyer told him so and that he has a “penchant to do what
he wishes to do, when he wishes to do it, and to refrain from doing what he is
supposed to do or what he does not want to do regardless of whom he harms or
hurts as a result of his conduct.”
[21]
The
IAD also noted that there was no evidence on file to suggest that the Applicant
was unfit or incompetent to stand trial, or considered to be not guilty by
reason of insanity. There was no evidence that the Applicant did not have a guilty
mind in respect to the crimes he was convicted for. The IAD concluded that the
Applicant had not discharged his burden of proof on the possibility of
rehabilitation.
Time Spent
and Degree of Establishment of the Applicant in Canada
[22]
The
IAD acknowledged that the Applicant had been in Canada a long time (since July
17, 1990) and that this counted in his favour. However, the IAD also noted that
the Applicant had spent half of his life in Jamaica. The
Applicant had not been successful in establishing himself in Canada and he could
not keep steady employment or a lucrative job. He does not own any property,
assets or bank accounts or file income tax returns.
[23]
The
IAD concluded that the Applicant’s degree of establishment in Canada is
marginal and he had not provided any plans for the future, prospects of
employment, or special programs to show that he intended to change his lifestyle.
He relies on social assistance and is a burden on the public purse. The IAD
concluded that his removal from Canada would “not cause him to
be uprooted or to lose any solid establishment whatsoever.”
Presence and Support of Family in Canada
and Impact that the Removal of the Appellant Would Cause to Them or to the
Community
[24]
The
Applicant’s mother, one aunt and a few cousins live in Canada. The
Applicant’s maternal grand-parents, a few maternal uncles and two cousins still
reside in Jamaica. Except for
the Applicant’s mother, there was no one else in the hearing room and no other
letters of support were provided. The Applicant is not involved in his
community and does not rely on anybody for financial support. Nor do his family
members living in Canada rely on him for financial support.
[25]
The
Applicant’s mother declared that she was ready to help him in the future by letting
him stay with her again, but she stated that she is afraid of him sometimes.
The Board drew a negative inference from the absence of family members,
relatives or friends. There was also no explanation presented by the mother as
to how she could help him or prevent or stop his criminal behaviour. The IAD
concluded that the removal of the Applicant from Canada would cause
his family or the community very little dislocation.
Hardship
Caused to the Applicant by his Removal to Jamaica
[26]
The
IAD found that the Applicant was not well established in Canada and would not
be uprooted by his removal to Jamaica. The IAD acknowledged
that the economic and social situation in Jamaica may not be
perfect or offer the same employment opportunities or medical care as Canada.
The Applicant did not provide any proof of hardship and he is in good physical
health and does not take any medication. His prospects of employment in Jamaica were no less
than in Canada. In relation to the Applicant’s mental health, the IAD found
that he had not demonstrated the existence of any special care or need that
would be necessary in the future and which would not be available to him in Jamaica.
Best
Interests of Any Child Directly Affected by the Decision
[27]
The
IAD considered the best interests of any child in Canada who would be
affected by the removal of the Applicant to Jamaica and found
that the Applicant does not have any children or a relationship with any
children. No children rely on his closeness or support.
Conclusion
[28]
The
IAD concluded that the Applicant had not discharged the onus that was upon him,
and there were no H&C considerations that warranted special relief in light
of all of the circumstances of the case. The IAD gave weight to the length of
the Applicant’s presence in Canada and the presence of family members, as well
as their and the Applicant’s potential hardship. The factors that outweighed
these considerations were the Applicant’s poor prospects for rehabilitation,
risk to the safety of the public and weak establishment in Canada. The
Applicant was “not a good candidate for a stay of the removal order.” The appeal
was dismissed.
ISSUES
[29]
The
Applicant submits the following issue on this application:
1)
Whether
the IAD breached the Applicant’s right to procedural fairness by not
meaningfully appointing a designated representative.
STATUTORY PROVISIONS
[30]
The
following provisions of the Act are applicable in these proceedings:
3. (1) The objectives of this Act with
respect to immigration are
(h) to protect the health and safety of Canadians and to
maintain the security of Canadian society;
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;
44. (1) An officer who is of the opinion
that a permanent resident or a foreign national who is in Canada is
inadmissible may prepare a report setting out the relevant facts, which
report shall be transmitted to the Minister.
63(3) A permanent resident or a protected
person may appeal to the Immigration Appeal Division against a decision at an
examination or admissibility hearing to make a removal order against them.
67. (1) To allow an appeal, the Immigration
Appeal Division must be satisfied that, at the time that the appeal is
disposed of,
(c) other than in the case of an appeal by the Minister,
taking into account the best interests of a child directly affected by the
decision, sufficient humanitarian and compassionate considerations warrant
special relief in light of all the circumstances of the case.
68. (1) To stay a removal order, the
Immigration Appeal Division must be satisfied, taking into account the best
interests of a child directly affected by the decision, that sufficient
humanitarian and compassionate considerations warrant special relief in light
of all the circumstances of the case.
167 (2) If a person who is the subject of
proceedings is under 18 years of age or unable, in the opinion of the applicable
Division, to appreciate the nature of the proceedings, the Division shall
designate a person to represent the person.
|
3. (1) En
matière d’immigration, la présente loi a pour objet :
h) de protéger
la santé des Canadiens et de garantir leur sécurité;
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;
44. (1) S’il estime que le résident
permanent ou l’étranger qui se trouve au Canada est interdit de territoire,
l’agent peut établir un rapport circonstancié, qu’il transmet au ministre.
63(3) Le résident permanent ou la personne
protégée peut interjeter appel de la mesure de renvoi prise au contrôle ou à
l’enquête.
67. (1) Il est
fait droit à l’appel sur preuve qu’au moment où il en est disposé :
c)
sauf dans le cas de l’appel du ministre, il y a — compte tenu de l’intérêt
supérieur de l’enfant directement touché — des motifs d’ordre humanitaire
justifiant, vu les autres circonstances de l’affaire, la prise de mesures
spéciales.
68. (1) Il est sursis à la mesure de renvoi
sur preuve qu’il y a — compte tenu de l’intérêt supérieur de l’enfant
directement touché — des motifs d’ordre humanitaire justifiant, vu les autres
circonstances de l’affaire, la prise de mesures spéciales.
167 (2) Est commis d’office un représentant à
l’intéressé qui n’a pas dix-huit ans ou n’est pas, selon la section, en
mesure de comprendre la nature de la procédure.
|
STANDARD OF REVIEW
[31]
The
issue raised by the Applicant involves a question of procedural fairness: I
find the appropriate standard of review is correctness: Suresh v. Canada (Minister of
Citizenship and Immigration) 2002 SCC 1.
ARGUMENTS
The
Applicant
[32]
The
Applicant submits that the IAD has the authority to appoint a designated
representative under subsection 167(2) of the Act. The Applicant cites Duale
v. Canada (Minister of Citizenship and Immigration) 2004 FC 150 at
paragraphs 3 and 17 (Duale) for the proposition that “the obligation to
designate a representative…arises at the earliest point in time at which the
RPD becomes aware of the facts which reveal the need for a designated
representative” and “the need for the designation of a representative applie[s]
to the entirety of the proceedings” and not just to the hearing itself. The
Court in Duale also confirmed that the duties of a designated
representative include the obligation to retain and instruct counsel and to
assist in obtaining evidence in support of the claim.
[33]
The
Applicant submits that while Duale involved a minor refugee claimant
before the RPD, subsection 167(2) applies to all Divisions and all persons
incapable of appreciating the nature of proceedings for reasons other than age.
He says that the principles in Duale apply to mentally ill persons who appear
before the IAD.
[34]
The
Applicant notes that he filed his Notice of Appeal on February 22, 2008 and placed
a note on it advising the IAD that the Immigration Division had appointed a
designated representative for the Admissibility Hearing. The Applicant asserts
that the IAD was alerted to the potential need for a designated representative
from the outset of the appeal but no representative was appointed. There was
also no appointment of a designated representative at the time of the initial
hearing on July 2, 2008, which was postponed to permit the Applicant to find
counsel.
[35]
At
the September 10, 2008 hearing, the Applicant was without counsel and did not
provide any documents in support of his claim. His mother was asked to act as a
designated representative for the proceeding. The Applicant’s mother insists in
an affidavit filed in these proceedings that she was not informed of the duties
of a designated representative. She also did not know that part of a designated
representative’s responsibility is to arrange for counsel. Nothing was
explained to her at the hearing.
[36]
The
Applicant submits that the IAD’s decision to appoint his mother as a designated
representative at the hearing without any instructions about her duties and
obligations rendered the appointment meaningless. The IAD’s failure to
meaningfully appoint a designated representative who could assist the Applicant
to pursue his appeal constitutes a breach of his right to procedural fairness.
[37]
The
Applicant has submitted the affidavit of Carole Simone Dahan, an experienced
immigration and refugee lawyer, which speaks to the information that could have
been presented on behalf of someone who is represented by counsel and who is schizophrenic
and faces a return to Jamaica. The Applicant submits
that the documentary evidence indicates that there is inadequate care for
schizophrenic persons in Jamaica and that they face
increased risks of homelessness, incarceration, grave violence and human rights
violations, including severe physical, sexual and psychological abuse. This is
abuse in which the authorities (police, prison guards) are often implicated.
[38]
The
Ribic factors require a consideration of any hardship an applicant may
face by returning to their country of nationality. There was no information
presented to the IAD on the risks to mentally ill persons in Jamaica. The
appointment of a meaningful designated representative at the earliest possible opportunity
would have allowed the Applicant to properly present his appeal.
[39]
The
Applicant also submits that while a judicial review record may only consist of
materials before the administrative decision-maker, there are important
exceptions to this rule, as outlined in C.D. v. Canada (Minister of
Citizenship and Immigration) 2008 FC 501 at paragraph 41:
41 If an applicant
believes that the evidence not submitted to the original decision-maker
nevertheless needs to be considered by the Court, he has to demonstrate that
the evidence is needed to resolve issues of procedural fairness or jurisdiction
or that there are very exceptional circumstances to justify an exception to the
general principle: see Omar v. Canada (Solicitor General),
[2004] F.C.J. No. 2136,
2004 FC 1740 [Omar]…
[40]
The
Applicant submits that the materials (the affidavits from the Applicant’s
mother and Ms. Dahan) included in this application demonstrate the significant
material impact of the breach of procedural fairness that has occurred in this
case. Had the designated representative been properly apprised of her
obligation to retain counsel, and had the Applicant been represented by
counsel, this type of evidence could have been presented to the IAD.
[41]
Without
this additional evidence, the Applicant argues that the Court would not be able
to determine whether the breach of procedural fairness was material to the
outcome. The evidence demonstrates that the issue of risks to schizophrenic
persons in Jamaica should have
been properly presented for consideration by the IAD and that there was a
breach of the Applicant’s right to a meaningfully appointed designated
representative.
[42]
The
Applicant also submits that the IAD had an obligation to explain the role of
the designated representative to the Applicant’s mother. The fact that the
Applicant’s mother did not ask for clarification about her role is not proof
that she understood her duties; nor was it a waiver of the Applicant’s right to
the meaningful appointment of a designated representative.
[43]
The
Applicant submits that, while his mother had the best of intentions, she did
not understand her role and the IAD should have ensured that she understood her
duties. She was also appointed at the last minute and not at the earliest
opportunity.
[44]
In
addition, the fact that the Applicant said he wanted to proceed without counsel
had no bearing on the IAD’s decision to appoint a designated representative. It
was for the designated representative, with full knowledge and understanding of
her duty, to obtain and instruct counsel and to consider whether to request
more time to obtain counsel.
The
Respondent
Material
Not before the IAD
[45]
The
Respondent submits that, on judicial review, a reviewing court is bound by the
record that was before the IAD. The Respondent cites Nejad v. Canada
(Minister of Citizenship and Immigration), [2006] F.C.J. No. 1810 at
paragraphs 15-16:
15. …Judicial review proceedings are narrow in scope. Their
essential purpose is the review of decisions for the purpose of assessing their
legality. The reviewing court (absent exceptional circumstances not applicable
here) is bound by the record that was before the board. Fairness to the parties
and the tribunal under review dictates such a limitation: Bekker v. Canada
(2004), 323 N.R. 195
(F.C.A.). The reviewing court must proceed on the record as it exists,
confining itself to the criteria for judicial review: Canada (Attorney General) v.
McKenna, [1999] 1 F.C. 401
(C.A.).
16 Although it is evident that the
noted principles apply to preclude the court, on judicial review, from receiving
evidence that was not before the decision-maker, Mr. Justice MacKay's comments
in Wood v. Canada (Attorney General) (2001), 199 F.T.R. 133
also provide insight. At paragraph 34, he stated:
34 [...] On judicial review, a Court can consider only
evidence that was before the administrative decision-maker whose decision is
being reviewed and not new evidence (see Brychka v. Canada (Attorney
General), [1998] F.C.J. No. 124,
supra; Franz v. Canada (Minister of Employment and Immigration) (1994), 80 F.T.R. 79;
Via Rail Canada Inc. v. Canada (Canadian Human Rights Commission) (re Mills)
(August 19, 1997), Court file T-1399-96, [1997] F.C.J. No. 1089;
Lemiecha v. Canada (Minister of Employment & Immigration) (1993), 72 F.T.R. 49,
24 Imm. L.R. (2d) 95;
Ismaili v. Canada (Minister of Citizenship and Immigration), (1995) 100 F.T.R. 139,
29 Imm.L.R. (2d) 1).
[...]
[46]
The
Respondent objects to the inclusion of the affidavits and their appended
material from the Applicant’s mother and immigration lawyer, Carole Simone
Dahan.
Procedural
Fairness
[47]
The
Respondent submits that the IAD did not err by not informing the Applicant’s
mother of the duties of a designated representative upon her designation at the
IAD hearing. The Applicant’s mother was explicitly asked if she was ready to
act as a designated representative and she answered that she was. At no time
did she ask for clarification of the role of a designated representative.
[48]
The
Respondent argues that the IAD rules do not support the argument that the role
of the designated representative is to arrange counsel. Rule 19 of the
Immigration Appeal Division Rules, S.O.R./2002-230 (Rules) reads as follows:
Duty of counsel to notify
19. (1) If counsel for either party believes
that the Division should designate a representative for the person who is the
subject of the appeal because they are under 18 years of age or unable to
appreciate the nature of the proceedings, counsel must without delay notify
the Division in writing. If counsel is aware of a person in Canada who
meets the requirements to be designated as a representative, counsel must
provide the person's contact information in the notice.
Requirements for being designated
(2) To be designated as a representative, a person must
(a) be 18 years of age or older;
(b) understand the nature of the proceedings;
(c) be willing and able to act in the best
interests of the person to be represented; and
(d) not have interests that conflict with those
of the person to be represented.
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Obligation du conseil d'aviser la Section19.
(1) Si
le conseil d'une partie croit que la Section devrait commettre un
représentant à la personne en cause parce qu'elle est âgée de moins de
dix-huit ans ou n'est pas en mesure de comprendre la nature de la procédure,
il en avise sans délai la Section par écrit. S'il sait qu'il se trouve au
Canada une personne ayant les qualités requises pour être représentant, il
fournit les coordonnées de cette personne dans l'avis.
Qualités requises du représentant
(2) Pour être désignée comme représentant, la
personne doit :
a) être âgée de dix-huit ans
ou plus;
b)
comprendre la nature de la procédure;
c) être disposée et apte à
agir dans l'intérêt de la personne en cause;
d) ne pas avoir d'intérêts
conflictuels par rapport à ceux de la personne en cause.
|
[49]
The
Respondent notes that the Rules do not state that it is the role of the
designated representative to retain counsel.
[50]
The
Respondent also submits that the Applicant made it clear that he wanted to
proceed with the hearing without counsel and that his mother, his designated
representative, made no objection. If the Applicant’s mother did not understand
the role of the designated representative, “it behooved her to raise her
concerns with the IAD at the time. The Applicant’s mother made submissions on
his behalf throughout the hearing and was an active participant before the
IAD.”
ANALYSIS
[51]
Section
167(2) of the Act mandates the appointment of a designated representative “if a
person who is the subject of proceedings is under 18 years of age or unable, in
the opinion of the applicable Division, to appreciate the nature of the
proceedings ….”
[52]
Paragraph
13 of the Decision makes it clear that the IAD, “[a]t the outset of the
hearing,” decided that the Applicant required a designated representative. The
IAD even noted that “the ID had previously appointed a designated
representative during the admissibility hearing procedure” and that “the
appellant is a vulnerable person.”
[53]
So
the IAD was aware of the Applicant’s vulnerability and that he needed a
designated representative.
[54]
In
order to fulfill its obligations under section 167(2) of the Act, the IAD asked
the Applicant’s mother to act as a designated representative. Even though she
had no appreciation of the significance of this role or how to best represent
the interests of the Applicant, she willingly stepped into the breach to help
her son.
[55]
In
my view, this was not a meaningful compliance by the IAD with section 167(2) of
the Act and the jurisprudence dealing with the appointment of a designated
representative.
[56]
The
Respondent’s own rules on designated representatives (Rule 19 of the IAD Rules)
require that the person appointed must understand the nature of the proceedings
and that they be “willing and able to act in the best interests of the person
to be represented.”
[57]
The
Applicant’s mother was obviously appointed as an expedient. She just happened
to be in the room to support her son and, being a mother, she naturally stepped
forward. But it is clear that she did not fully appreciate the implications of
her role as designated representative and that she was not “able” to act in his
best interests. It is difficult to see how a mother, appointed as a designated
representative at the hearing itself, could be in a position to act in the best
interests of the Applicant. The Respondent argues that the Applicant appeared
lucid to the IAD and made it clear that he wished to proceed without legal
counsel and that he agreed that his mother should be his designated
representative for the purposes of the meeting. In my view, however, this does
not satisfy the obligations of the IAD to ensure that the Applicant had a
designated representative for the entirety of the proceedings who understood
her role and what needed to be done to protect the best interests of the
Applicant.
[58]
The Duale
decision cited by the Applicant teaches that the need for a designated
representative applies to the entirety of the proceedings and not just the
hearing itself. Duale also discusses in some detail what is required of
a designated representative. The record in the present case reveals that the
Applicant’s mother had no idea what was required of her. She knew nothing about
obtaining counsel, what evidence needed to be called and, of particular
importance for the Applicant, the risks that confront the mentally ill in Jamaica. The transcript of the hearing
shows that even the IAD acknowledged that the mother did not even have an
understanding of what questions she should ask the Applicant. She was not in a
position to ask for clarification because she did not understand her role. It
is also clear from Rule 19 that any person so appointed must “understand the
nature of the proceedings” and be “willing and able to act in the best
interests” of the Applicant. In my view, the ability to act in the Applicant’s
best interests requires more than a sympathetic and supportive relative, and
the IAD and counsel will need to satisfy themselves that anyone who does assume
the role is appointed in a timely manner and has the necessary understanding to
act in the Applicant’s best interests.
[59]
I
agree with the Applicant that the IAD’s approach to the issue on the facts of
this case has resulted in procedural unfairness and that the matter must be
returned and the problem rectified. The breach of procedural fairness was
highly material to the Applicant’s position and impacted his rights on appeal
to the IAD. The evidence is clear that there are all kinds of problems that the
Applicant will face in Jamaica as a result of his
mental illness which were not before the IAD when it made its Decision. There
are problems of care, homelessness and incarceration, and human rights abuses
in which the Jamaican authorities are often implicated, that would have been
placed before the IAD by a designated representative who understood the nature
of her role. These matters could well have led the IAD to a different
conclusion. The breach of procedural fairness was highly material to outcome in
this case.
JUDGMENT
THIS COURT ORDERS AND
ADJUDGES that
1. This
application is allowed and the matter is remitted to a different Board member
for reconsideration.
2. There is no
question for certification.
“James
Russell”