Gay and lesbian groups
in Canada
argue
that a newly appointed immigration official should be removed
because he has previously expressed antigay views.
Doug Cryer, a
Conservative Party booster, was appointed last month to a
three-year term on the Immigration and Refugee Board for the
Toronto district. His selection prompted an outcry because of
his opposition to same-sex marriage and previous defense of the
church's right to say that homosexual behavior is
"sinful."
"If you want to
appoint him, put him on the Wheat Board, where he's not
going to be making life-and-death decisions on refugee
claims," Helen Kennedy, executive director of the gay and
lesbian group EGALE, told the
Edmonton Sun
.
Immigration Minister
Jason Kenney defends the appointment, however, and notes that
applicants have been appointed to similar positions from a
variety of religious backgrounds.
A spokesperson for the
IRB said that refugee claimants who suspect bias in a board
member can ask that board member to step aside from the case,
and appeal in court if the board member refuses.