There is no obligation to allow the applicants to tape the interviews. This is because the absence of a transcript will not in any way violate the rule of natural justice.
Citizenship and Immigration Canada’s (CIC’s) Domestic Videoconference Interviews
Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC) staff often use videoconferences for interviewing applicants. This is particularly so in the case of those applicants who live closer to another Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC) office than the local Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC) office that is processing their applications. Videoconferences also have immense use in various citizenship purposes. For instance, officers often use videoconferences for:
- Assisting offices that have lengthy waiting times for a hearing or,
- Facilitating interviews in an underserved language
When Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC) staff are using a Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC) computer with video technology (video terminal) for videoconference interviews, the users would need to be mindful that they would not have any access to any Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC) systems or shared drives. Typically, the video terminal will use a different, but a secure generic account. This account will only enable the user to access the video software.
However, situations might arise where the users log in to the terminal and do not use it for a videoconference interview. In this scenario, the users, when logged in, will continue to have access to all the normal Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC) desktop functionalities available.
Note:
- Officers would need to note that they must not conduct interviews at a security level higher than protected B by videoconference
An Overview
The officers would need to use an encrypted video software. This software would only pass through the Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC) network. As such, it will be very secure.
In addition, it is worth noting that officers cannot record the interview because the authorities have disabled the ‘record’ feature. Therefore, there is no record that anyone could file a request for via the Access to Information and Privacy right. Similarly, the officers would not be able to provide any record as evidence during litigation.
Typically, these video terminals use a high-definition camera that has excellent sound quality. This enables the videoconference interview to proceed as smoothly as an in-person interview.
Source: Citizenship and Immigration
