On May 13, 2008, The Honourable Diane Finley, Minister of Citizenship and Immigration announced six full-time appointments to the IRB.
George Ronald Ashley was appointed for a three-year term in the Ottawa office. Linda Hart, Michael L. Ostfield, Paul G.C. Robinson, Stephen Rudin and Robert H. Rushowy were appointed for three-year terms in the Toronto office. The appointments were made in accordance with the IRB’s merit-based appointment process.
Prior to his appointment to the Board, Mr. Ashley was senior counsel at the Canadian Transportation Agency and a seasonal lecturer at McGill University in Montréal. He received his Bachelor of Commerce (Honours) and his Bachelor of Laws from Queen’s University. Mr. Ashley was called to the bar of Ontario in 1980.
Prior to her appointment to the Board, Ms. Hart was a Refugee Protection Officer with the IRB and a member of the Public Service Learning and Professional Development Committee and the Refugee Protection Division Professional Development Committee. Ms. Hart received a Bachelor of Fine Arts from Concordia University.
Prior to his appointment to the Board, Mr. Ostfield was Associate Counsel with the Toronto District School Board. He was also Legal Counsel for Famous Players. Mr. Ostfield received a Bachelor of Arts from the University of Manitoba and a Bachelor of Laws from the Manitoba Law School. He was called to the Manitoba bar in 1970 and the Ontario bar in 1975.
Prior to his appointment to the Board, Mr. Robinson held several positions with the Federal Court of Canada, the most recent being Director, Regional Taxing and Assessment Office. He was also Director of the Immigration Section. Mr. Robinson received a Bachelor of Arts from Wilfred Laurier University in Waterloo, Ontario.
Prior to his appointment to the Board, Mr. Rudin was Executive Director of the Alzheimer Society of Canada. He received a Bachelor of Science from Boston University, a Masters of Education from Northeastern University in Boston and a Masters in Science from the University of Missouri.
Mr. Rushowy, a former member of the Board, was a self-employed professional arbitrator and mediator and member of the Mediator Qualifications Board (Florida) with chartered status conferred by the Alternative Dispute Resolution Institute of Canada. Mr. Rushowy received a Bachelor of Arts from Queen’s University, and a Masters of Arts and Doctor of Philosophy from Columbia Pacific University in California.
Is it going to be a good news for those applying for permanent residence in Canada? That remains to be seen.
Reference: CIC
