Crimes Against Humanity and War Crimes Program

Remedy 2: Denial of Access to the Refugee Determination System

CBSA and CIC regional and national headquarters staff and the DOJ War Crimes Section staff provided cost estimates. CIC regional staff provided cost estimates for steps carried out by its regional offices and CBSA regional staff provided these for the regions. Cost estimates include salaries and benefits, travel, and incarceration costs. There are two scenarios for this remedy.

Scenario 1: Person arrives at Canadian port of entry and files refugee claim

CBSA performs the bulk of the upfront investigative activities. In the simplest of cases, CBSA may send the refugee claim to the Refugee Protection Division, and if the claimant is excluded, does not contest the decision, waives his right to a Pre-Removal Risk Assessment (PRRA), and is quickly removed from Canada, the costs could be as low as $4,768. However, if the case is more complex, involving an admissibility hearing and if the claimant seeks a judicial review to Federal Court, a full PRRA is performed, and the person is incarcerated for two to three months before removal, the costs are estimated to rise to $41,085.