Which Act established the framework for immigration and refugee protection in Canada today?

The Immigration and Refugee Protection Act (IRPA) of 2002 is the correct answer because it provides the current legal framework for immigration and refugee protection in Canada. Enacted to replace the Canadian Immigration Act of 1976, IRPA introduced significant changes and updates that reflect contemporary values and needs regarding immigration and refugee status.

One of the key aspects of the IRPA is that it emphasizes the importance of human rights and the responsibilities Canada has under international law to protect refugees. The Act establishes the basic principles and guidelines that govern the admission of immigrants and the protection of refugees, including rules regarding eligibility, assessment criteria, and procedural rights. It also created a more distinct separation between immigration processes and refugee protection, facilitating a clearer process for individuals seeking asylum in Canada.

The other acts mentioned, while significant in their own right, do not serve as the current framework. The Canadian Immigration Act of 1976 was the predecessor to IRPA and has since been replaced, while the Immigration and Refugee Board Act of 1985 primarily established the body responsible for refugee determination but is not itself the overarching immigration framework. Similarly, the Immigration Control and Refugee Protection Act of 1991 was a previous attempt to address similar issues but ultimately led to the development