
The Designated Countries of Origin (DCO) list, commonly known as the Safe Countries of Origin list, is a list of 35 countries that Canada has deemed to be safe countries for refugees.
Refugee claimants who arrive in Canada from DCO countries will be rushed through the refugee claim process, deprived of important procedural protections, and denied fundamental justice. Canada’s Designated Countries of Origin (DCO) scheme creates a two-tier refugee determination system which discriminates between refugee claimants based on their nationality (i.e. their country of origin). The scheme was introduced as part of legislation which amended the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act, and passed into law on June 28, 2012.
When a person makes a claim for protection in Canada, the grounds of this claim are assessed by the Refugee Protection Division of the Immigration and Refugee Board (IRB). An IRB official decides whether the claimant meets the definition of “refugee” set out in the UN Convention Relating to the Status of Refugees. A positive decision grants the claimant protected status in Canada. Yet in cases where a claimant comes from a designated country – that is, a country identified as “safe” by the Canadian government – they must submit to a fast-track process which cuts in half the time they have to prepare for a hearing before the IRB. Such an unreasonable time restriction compromises the claimant’s ability to gather evidence and engage social and legal supports necessary to prove their claim. A claimant from a DCO is also denied eligibility for certain procedural protections, like access to an appeals process, which are afforded to claimants under the regular determination system.
Media Releases
CARL Review of Refugee Law and Practice: CALL FOR CONTRIBUTIONS | APPEL À CONTRIBUTIONS
In anticipation of the next edition of CARL Review of Refugee Law and Practice, CARL is pleased to make a call for contributions. Details are set out in French-language and English-language notices. CARL’s new digital law [...]
Free webinar on IRCC’s Special Measures for Gaza on Thursday, May 16, 2024 from 3-5PM EDT. Register here:
The Canadian Association of Refugee Lawyers invites members of the bar to a free Zoom webinar on IRCC’s Special Measures for Gaza. Please join CARL for a free webinar on IRCC's Special Measures for Gaza [...]
NEWS RELEASE – CANADA MUST INCREASE PRESSURE ON ISRAEL TO PERMIT PALESTINIANS SELECTED UNDER TRV PROGRAM TO EXIT GAZA
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – MAY 2, 2024: The Canadian Association of Refugee Lawyers (CARL) is alarmed by reports that the Government of Israel has not permitted a single person selected under Canada’s Temporary Resident Visa [...]
Update to Members on Our Advocacy Regarding the Situation in Gaza
Refugee Lawyers (CARL) has been actively urging the Canadian government to adopt viable immigration measures to permit Palestinians to find safety in this country. The pressing need for ongoing advocacy on this issue has only [...]
CARL’S SPRING 2024 CONFERENCE: 3 May 2024
CARL is pleased to announce that registration is now open for CARL's Spring 2024 conference, to be held on 3 May 2024 in Vancouver, Toronto, Ottawa, Montreal and Halifax. Zoom access will also be available [...]
Webinar Replay: Preparing BoC Narrative – A View from Cognitive Psychology
Preparing BoC Narrative: A View from Cognitive Psychology Video replay: available here. Originally held: Dec. 14, 2023 @ 07:00 PM Speakers: Drs. Ronald Fisher and Hilary Evans LSO CPD: 1 hr. substantive Description: The Canadian [...]