Bill Detail
An Act to establish the Office of the Ombud for the Department of Citizenship and Immigration and to make related and consequential amendments to other Acts
This enactment establishes the Office of the Ombud for the Department of Citizenship and Immigration and sets out the Ombud’s powers, duties and functions. It also makes a related amendment to the Languages Skills Act and consequential amendments to certain other Acts.
Bill C-212 proposes to create a new independent office, the Office of the Ombud for the Department of Citizenship and Immigration. This Ombud would be appointed for a seven-year term and tasked with examining the department's practices to ensure they are fair, equitable, unbiased, and free from racism or discrimination. The Ombud would investigate complaints and systemic issues within the department's decision-making processes related to citizenship and immigration matters.
This initiative would primarily affect individuals interacting with the Department of Citizenship and Immigration, including immigrants, refugees, and citizens seeking services. The establishment of this office aims to provide an avenue for recourse and oversight, ensuring that the department's administration of laws like the Citizenship Act and the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act is conducted without bias. The Ombud's recommendations could lead to changes in departmental policies and procedures.