New refugee rules in effect as of Dec. 15: Kenney

OTTAWA – Immigration Minister Jason Kenney says an overhaul of the refugee system goes into effect Dec. 15.

The biggest change will see the government draw up a list of countries from which refugee claims will be scrutinized more closely.

The list will include those countries which produce large numbers of rejected asylum claims.

The list will also be released on Dec. 15.

Kenney says the changes will see processing times for all claims drop, which will help real refugees get settled faster.

He says the new system is also fairer as it creates a new appeal system for most asylum claimants.