According to Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC), the list of designated countries includes “ that offer state protection, have active human rights and civil society organizations, and do not normally produce refugees.” Asylum claimants from one of these countries will have their requests processed and be issued a hearing by the Refugee Board of Canada within 30-45 days. Claimants from a non-designated country will have a hearing within 60 days.
The eight new countries to be placed on the Designated Countries of Origin list are as follows:
- Mexico
- Israel (excluding Gaza and the West Bank)
- Japan
- Norway
- Iceland
- New Zealand
- Australia
- Switzerland
These countries join 27 others, including much of the European Union, Croatia, and the United States. All eligible asylum claimants, regardless of country, are promised a hearing and fair assessment of their requests to stay in Canada.