Find out how COVID-19 is impacting those who appear before the Board

​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​Important health and safety measures

The health and safety of Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada (IRB) personnel and those visiting IRB premises is the IRB’s top priority.

​Please note: Until further notice, all IRB hearings are being conducted remotely, with only urgent and particularly sensitive cases considered for in-person hearings on a case-by-case basis.

Health and safety measures

All visitors must:​

We've taken the following steps to help maintain health and safety in our offices:

  • Plexiglass barriers have been installed in all our hearing rooms. Audio devices in hearing rooms have also been reconfigured to allow for better recording.
  • We have increased sanitization of all public spaces including hearing rooms, which will be sanitized before and after each hearing.
  • Heating, ventilation and air conditioning systems in all IRB offices​ have been enhanced to improve overall quality. Consult the PSPC website for more information. 
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See health and safety guidance to learn what to expect before and after arriving at an IRB office​.​

On this page

Status of buildings and operations

All IRB buildings are open, however, until further notice, all hearings are being conducted remotely, with only urgent and particularly sensitive cases considered for in-person hearings on a case-by-case basis.​ Staff and visitors are required to follow the COVID-19 health and safety measures.

Browse our new COVID health and safety image gallery. Photos represent a standard set in place across all of our IRB offices.

Air quality testing

As part of an ongoing Government of Canada-wide initiative, Public Services and Procurement Canada has provided all organizations with new air quality guidelines and testing protocols. All IRB buildings are currently undergoing this testing, and results will be shared as they are made available. This testing is being conducted as an additional measure to our already robust health and safety protocols that are in place.

Building status summary

Click to see tabl​e​​
CityBuildingServices offered Building statusAir quality test resultsOccupational Health and Safety (OHS) protocols​Sanitization schedule
Vancouver1600-300 West Georgia Street
  • Refugee Protection Division (RPD), Immigration Appeal Division (IAD) and Immigration Division (ID) in-person or virtual hearings
  • ID detention review hearings being held remotely
  • Open to the public
  • Some employees working onsite

Last test conducted on:
October 8, 2020

Result:
Passed

Next test scheduled for:
To be determined (TBD)

OHS protocols implemented:
Yes

Walkthrough and approval by OHS committee member:
June 12, 2020

Hearing rooms:
After each hearing – as of July 20, 2020

High-touch areas:
Twice daily

Calgary185-220 4th Ave SE
  • RPD, IAD, ID in-person or virtual hearings
  • ​ID detention review hearings being held remotely
  • Open to the public
  • Some employees working onsite

First test conducted on:
November 4, 2020.

Result:
Passed

Next test scheduled for:
TBD

OHS protocols implemented:
Yes

Walkthrough and approval by OHS committee member:
July 22, 2020

Hearing rooms: After each hearing – as of
August 4, 2020

High-touch areas:
Twice daily

Edmonton9700 Jasper Avenue
  • RPD, IAD, ID in-person or virtual hearings
  • ID detention review hearings being held remotely
  • Open to the public
  • Some employees working onsite

Last test conducted on: 
October 15, 2020

Result:
Passed

Next test scheduled for:
TBD

OHS protocols implemented:
Yes

Walkthrough and approval by OHS committee member:
Walkthrough not required at this location

Hearing rooms: After each hearing – as of August 4, 2020

High-touch areas:
Twice daily

Winnipeg269 Main Street
  • RPD, IAD, ID in-person or virtual hearings
  • ID detention review hearings being held remotely
  • Open to the public
  • Some employees working onsite

Last test conducted on:
October 6 and 7, 2020

Result:
Passed

Next test scheduled for:

TBD

OHS protocols implemented:
Yes

Walkthrough and approval by OHS committee member:
Walkthrough not required at this location

Hearing rooms:
After each hearing – as of August 4, 2020

High-touch areas:

Twice daily
Ottawa344 Slater Street
  • In-person hearings (RPD)
  • Open to the public
  • Some employees working onsite

Last test conducted on:
December 3rd 2020

Result:
Not yet available

Next text scheduled for:
TBD

OHS protocols implemented:
Yes

Walkthrough and approval by OHS committee member:
July 24, 2020

Hearing rooms: After each hearing – as of
August 4, 2020

High-touch areas:
Twice daily

Ottawa440 Laurier Avenue West
  • Various IRB functions
  • Open to the public
  • Some employees working onsite

Last test conducted on:
October 13, 2020

Result:
Passed

Next text scheduled for:
TBD

OHS protocols implemented:
Yes

Walkthrough and approval by OHS committee member:
July 24, 2020

Hearing rooms: After each hearing – as of
August 4, 2020

High-touch areas:
Twice daily

Toronto74 Victoria Street
  • RPD and IAD hearings via teleconference
  • Mailroom for document submission
  • Open to the public
  • Some employees working onsite

Last test conducted on:
October 9, 2020

Result:
Passed

Next text scheduled for:
TBD

OHS protocols implemented:
Yes

Walkthrough and approval by OHS committee member:
July 27, 2020

Hearing rooms:
After each hearing – as of August 4, 2020

High-touch areas:
Twice daily

Etobicoke385 Rexdale Boulevard
  • ID hearings via teleconference or virtually
  • ID detention review hearings being held via teleconference
  • Mailroom for document submission
  • Open to the public
  • Some employees working onsite

Last test conducted on:
October 9, 2020

 

Result:
Passed

Next text scheduled for:
TBD

OHS protocols implemented:
Yes

Walkthrough and approval by OHS committee member:
July 27, 2020

Hearing rooms:
After each hearing – as of August 4, 2020

High-touch areas:
Twice daily

Montreal200 René-Levesque Boulevard West
  • RPD, IAD, ID hearings
  • Open to visitors to the board
  • Some employees working onsite

Last test conducted on:
October 28, 29, 30 and November 2

Result:
Passed

Next test scheduled for:
TBD

OHS protocols implemented:
Yes

Walkthrough and approval by OHS committee member:
July 29, 2020

Hearing rooms:
After each hearing – as of August 8, 2020

High-touch areas:
Twice daily

Montreal800 René Lévesque Ouest
  • RPD hearings
  • Open to the public
  • Some employees working onsite

Last test conducted on:
November 5, 2020

Result:
Passed​

Next test scheduled for:
TBD

OHS protocols implemented:
Yes

Walkthrough and approval by OHS committee member:
September 23, 2020

Hearing rooms:
After each hearing – as of September 28​, 2020

High- touch areas:
Twice daily

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For refugee claimants

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For participants in detention review and admissibility hearings

  • At the present time, we are holding hearings remotely using Microsoft Teams or by calling in using a teleconference code. In some cases, we can also call you.
  • ​If you are a bondsperson, witness or other participant who has not received connection instructions for your hearing, please contact the Immigration Division registry in the region where the hearing is taking place at the earliest opportunity.
  • Correspondence should be sent by email or fax. See more details.

For refugee appellants

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For immigration appellants

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