The following response is based on information given to the Research Directorate by the President of the Toronto Kurdish Community and Information Centre (TKCIC).

The centre, founded by members of the Kurdish community in Toronto, is "a non-profit, community-based social and cultural organization registered with the Ministry of Consumer and Commercial Relations in December 1992" whose goal is to preserve Kurdish culture and heritage for the Kurdish residents of the Toronto area (11 May 2001).

As well as acting as an informal meeting place, the centre organizes cultural events and provides such services as transportation for elderly members and assistance to newcomers to Canada (ibid).

The TKCIC, whose membership includes approximately 250 Kurdish families with origins in Turkey, Iran, Iraq and Syria, has no political affiliation either inside or outside of Canada and is administered by an annually elected board of directors consisting of a president and four executive members (ibid). The TKCIC receives no government funding and the centre is staffed entirely by volunteers.

TKCIC is willing to provide confirmation of the Kurdish heritage of individuals who make this request to the organization (ibid). No fee is charged and membership is not required for this service (ibid). Once the request is made, the individual is interviewed by an executive member of the TKCIC who tests the claimant regarding, amongst other things, his/her familiarity with the Kurdish language and dialects, knowledge of Kurdish traditions, historical sites, culture and cuisine; and personal knowledge of the claimant's place of birth and the family's ancestral home (ibid). If the claimant comes from a region outside of the predominantly Kurdish areas, Istanbul for example, or is not conversant in the Kurdish language, then he/she will be tested on their knowledge of their mother's or father's place of birth (ibid. 30 Aug. 2001). Once the TKCIC is "completely satisfied" that the claimant is Kurdish, they will be provided with a letter signed and stamped by the President (ibid. 11 May 2001).

Although, to date, the TKCIC has not had an opportunity to do so, it is willing to co-operate with the Immigration and Refugee Board in cases where confirmation of a refugee claimant's Kurdish identity is required (ibid). The TKCIC is also able to verify whether or not a letter stating an individual's Kurdish identity was issued by the TKCIC (ibid. 30 Aug. 2001).

This Response was prepared after researching publicly accessible information currently available to the Research Directorate within time constraints. This Response is not, and does not purport to be, conclusive as to the merit of any particular claim to refugee status or asylum. Please find below the list of additional sources consulted in researching this Information Request.

Toronto Kurdish Community and Information Centre (TKCIC). Toronto. 30 August 2001. Telephone interview with the President.

_____. Toronto. 11 May 2001. Correspondence from President.