Inside Canada’s IRB: A Deep Dive into Its Four Divisions, 2025-2026
**** Webinar & Video
Seminar ID: IRB – 1225 December 11, 2025
( 3 Hours, Under Review By CICC)
Format: Webinar & Video
Language: English
Provider: Immigration Learning & Information Centre, IMLIN
Webinar Date: December 11, 2025
Webinar Time: Starts @ 2:00pm – Ends @ 5:15pm ET
Expiry Date for Video ONLY: December 11, 2026
Introduction:
John Edwards – RCIC
Presenter: Mr. John Edwards – RCIC
John Edwards is a licensed immigration consultant and has been since 2006. He is currently a member in good standing with the College of Immigration & Citizenship Consultants (CICC). He has a BSc. from the University of Guelph and worked in the environmental sciences field for approximately 10 years.
Mr. Edwards is a current member of the Canadian Association of Professional Immigration Consultants and was a Policy and Lobbying Director with CAPIC for a brief time. Mr. Edwards is proud to say that he had the privilege of working along with and under the guidance of Cecil L. Rotenberg Q.C. (deceased), who was known as the “grandfather” or “dean” of Canadian Immigration law, for several years gaining valuable experience in dealing with complicated immigration matters.
In addition to being a licensed immigration consultant, Mr. Edwards is a member in good standing with the Law Society of Ontario as a licensed paralegal. His representation includes clients in the temporary resident classes as well as permanent residence applications. Over the years, he has successfully represented clients before the IRB at the Immigration Division, RPD, and IAD. Currently, Mr. Edwards focuses his efforts on assisting clients with Humanitarian and Compassionate applications, Immigration appeals, and with in-Canada and overseas applicants dealing with inadmissibility issues. He also enjoys teaching and has taught immigration consultancy students at two private colleges in Toronto, as well as paralegal diploma courses at a private college in Hamilton, Ontario
AGENDA:
Overview of the IRB
– Role, independence, and structure
– Introduction to its four divisions
– Legislative framework (IRPA, Charter, case law)
Refugee Protection Division (RPD)
– Mandate and claim process
– What happens during an RPD hearing
– Required documents and evidence
– Credibility assessments and vulnerable claimants
– Key case law: Singh, Rashid
Refugee Appeal Division (RAD)
– Appeal eligibility and process
– Written vs. oral hearing
– Key documents and new evidence rules
– Standards of review: Huruglica, Adepoju
Immigration Division (ID)
– Admissibility hearings and detention reviews
– Hearing procedures and evidentiary standards
– Required disclosure and supporting documents
– Key case law: Brown, Thanabalasingham
AGENDA
Immigration Appeal Division (IAD)
– Types of appeals: family, removal orders, residency obligation
– Full hearing vs. ADR process
– Hearing expectations and documentation
– ADR Conference
Role of Counsel Before the IRB
– Ethical duties, client preparation
– Managing disclosure and vulnerable clients
– Post-hearing responsibilities
Recent Trends & IRB Updates
– Virtual hearings
– Expedited processes
– Procedural fairness and evolving guidelines
Final Takeaways
– Central role of the IRB in immigration practice
– Importance of procedural fluency
– Staying current with legal developments
Closing remarks
– Questions and Answers
– Conclusion & closing comments
Reviews
There are no reviews yet.