Effective Date: 17 April 2015
Amended: December 14, 2017
1. Purpose
This policy serves to provide a framework for security screening measures at the Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada (IRB). These measures are provided for and are consistent with the Treasury Board’s Policy on Government Security, the
Immigration and Refugee Protection Act, and the
Canada Labour Code, Part II.
2. Application
The Chairperson has established a list of items that are prohibited from IRB‑controlled premises and authorized security screening measures to ensure the safety and security of all persons on these premises.
These security screening measures have been developed exclusively for the identification of prohibited items. They are not intended to conflict with any Canadian laws or regulations and they do not apply to searches and seizures related to an arrest or criminal investigation.
The security screening measures authorized will be adapted to address specific situations taking into account the nature and level of any identified threat. The measures will be as minimally intrusive as possible while being respectful of religious, medical and other accommodations. They will be carried out in a manner that respects people’s reasonable expectation of privacy and in compliance with the requirements of the
Official Languages Act.
The IRB is not responsible for the security on non-IRB-controlled premises.
In implementing the security screening measures, screeners will call 911 in the event that an individual undergoing screening is found to be in possession of a prohibited item or makes an inappropriate statement or gesture pertaining to weapons, bombs, or any other dangerous weapon that could be interpreted as placing at risk the safety and security of anyone on IRB premises.
3. Definitions
Access control: is the use of physical and procedural controls to ensure that only authorized individuals or items are permitted on IRB premises.
Accommodation: is a modification or variation in the application of the procedures in response to an identified need based on any of the grounds provided for in the
Canadian Human Rights Act.
Bag searching: includes searching purses, briefcases, backpacks and any other container used to carry personal belongings.
Exception - solicitor-client privileged information is exempt from inspection and should be removed from bags prior to being searched.
Exempted person: is a person belonging to a category of individuals identified on the Exempted Persons List who has presented valid recognized photo identification. Such persons may include IRB personnel, counsel, Minister’s representatives, officials from the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, interpretation service contractors, designated representatives, emergency and law enforcement personnel and other officials from the Canada Border Services Agency and Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada.
Manual inspection: is a search of a person’s outer clothing where a screener runs their hands over the clothing to detect any concealed prohibited items.
Prohibited item: is a weapon, device, instrument, material or substance that is used for or is readily capable of causing serious bodily injury or death.
Screener: is a person who is trained and authorized by the IRB to perform security screening on IRB-controlled premises.
4. Security Screening Measures
Security screening is an electronic, manual, or visual inspection and/or search of persons, bags, and electronic devices for the purpose of detecting the possession of prohibited items. Security screening measures on IRB-controlled premises may include the installation and use of hand-held or walk-through metal detectors.
Where implemented, all individuals entering IRB-controlled premises including witnesses, bondspersons, family members, observers and media will be subject to these screening measures.
Any person refusing to comply with an inspection or found in possession of a prohibited item will not be permitted to enter into or remain on IRB-controlled premises.
Security screening measures will only be conducted by screeners who have been trained and authorized by the Departmental Security Officer (DSO). Screening will be conducted in accordance with the established IRB
Security Screening Procedures.
An individual may exercise their right to refuse to participate in security screening measures and/or request an accommodation at any time. However, the authority to grant access remains with the IRB.
Persons wishing further clarification or requiring accommodation to take into consideration a special need, for example related to carrying religious or cultural items, service animals, children or pregnant women and individuals with a disability or medical conditions, should contact the IRB at
IRB.Secur.CISR@irb-cisr.gc.ca or by contacting the regional office as specified in their Notice to Appear, prior to their visit.
If a request for accommodation was approved in advance, alternate security screening measures will be employed.
If requested, a manual inspection may be performed in a private search room.
5. Implementation
The DSO is responsible for ensuring the implementation of the IRB’s security screening measures.
This policy is supported by internal security screening procedures, standard operating procedures and post orders.
6. Monitoring
Ongoing monitoring and evaluation of this policy will be carried out under the direction of Security Services with the support of the Policy, Outreach and Engagement Directorate.
8. Enquiries
For information contact:
Director
Policy, Outreach and Engagement Directorate
Policy, Planning and Corporate Affairs Branch
Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada
Canada Building (Minto Place)
344 Slater Street
Ottawa, Ontario K1A 0K1
You may also submit enquiries to
Policy-Politiques@irb-cisr.gc.ca.
9. Approval
Signed by Mario Dion
Chairperson
December 14, 2017
Date