CIMM Committee Report

APPENDIX C
LETTER OF RESIGNATION FROM JEAN-GUY FLEURY
FORMER CHAIR OF IRB BOARD

Dear Minister Finley:

Please accept this letter as official notification of my intention to step down as Chairperson of the Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada (IRB) effective March 16^th, 2007. While my more than four years as IRB Chairperson have been deeply satisfying personally and professionally, I feel the time has come for a change in leadership at the IRB. As well, after nearly 42 years of public service, I am ready to spend more time with my family and pursue new endeavours, including self-employment opportunities.

I am proud of the many creative and innovative accomplishments achieved during my tenure as Chairperson of the IRB – including the elimination of the backlog at the Refugee Protection Division, the Transformation Agenda and the implementation of a merit-based appointment system for Governor in Council decision-makers. Based on the discussions I have had with your office, I am also encouraged by the prospect of appointments to come in the near future for the IRB.

One important item I am leaving for you and a future Chairperson is the IRB Business Case for Organizational Change. While we have accomplished much to date, the Board could be an even more effective, efficient and ultimately fair tribunal with the Governance changes recommended in the Business Case. The Board’s current structure is dated and lacks sufficient clarity vis-à-vis accountabilities. I urge you to pursue this issue with the next IRB Chairperson.

Please rest assured that I will do everything in my power to ensure a successful transition to the next IRB Chairperson.

Yours truly,

Jean-Guy Fleury

c.c. Kevin Lynch

Clerk of the Privy Council and Secretary to the Cabinet