International Law

A Parabola is a Mathematical Curve and not a Biblical Story ? Federal Court Confirms

By Garry J. Wise, Wise Law Office, Toronto

In a decision released on January 7, 2008, Mr. Justice Leonard Mandamin of the Federal Court of Canada set aside the order of an Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada (IRB) adjudicator denying the refugee claim of a Chinese woman, Pin Xian Xin.

Ms. Xin entered Canada illegally and made a refugee claim, saying she feared persecution in China because of her membership in an underground church and for breaching China's one-child policy.

At the hearing of her claim she was repeatedly asked by an IRB adjudicator about Bible "parabolas." The IRB ruled Ms. Xin could not be a Christian -- partly because she did not know what a "parabola" is and could not answer the question "What is your favourite parabola?"

Justice Mandamin ruled:

"A parabola is a mathematical curve and not a Biblical story?????..the applicant cannot be faulted for the confusion."

Full post as published by Wise Law Blog on January 27, 2008 (boomark / email).