Refugee board member quits to protest racism in ministry

By Donovan Vincent TORONTO STAR

A member of Canada's Immigration and Refugee Board today announced his resignation to protest "racism" among his colleagues and interference with the board's independence.

Dr. Sam Ifejika said he also opposes the federal goverment's new immigration bill.

Ifejika resigned his $86,000-a-year job yesterday and cleared out his desk in his Mississauga office today.

Ifejika told a news conference this morning he is tired of federal bureaucrats interfering with the independence of the board, which decides on the validity of refugee claimants.

He said board members are "constantly pressured to turn in negative decisions" and reject claimants.

Ifejika was appointed to the board in May, 1989. His term was to expire at the end of next month.

He said board members are "not independent and free" to make decisions but are "coerced" or given "incentives" to decide against claimants.

"I have been asked to explain my positive decisions a number of times but I have never been asked to explain my negative decisions," he told reporters outside his office building today.

Ifejika also accused "key persons" on the board of racism and intolerance to visible minorities on the board and against refugee claimants.

Subject(s) - The Toronto Star : Sam Ifejika resignation Immigration and Refugee Board Canada discrimination
Edition: FIN
Length: Short, 161 words

Copyright ?1992 Toronto Star, All Rights Reserved.

Doc. : news?9921119·TS?4359

This material is copyrighted. All rights reserved. ?2001 CEDROM-SNi