About Me

With over three decades of experience in education and government work, Deborah Morrish is a Toronto-based executive who’s passionate about volunteer work. Throughout her career, Deborah has collected skills in management, adjudication, advisory and development. Since 1983, Deborah established herself as a dedicated executive with an extensive portfolio and educational achievements.

In April of 1998, Deborah began her career in refugee resettlement as a Board Member with the Immigration and Refugee Board (IRB). For eight years, Deborah heard and decided claims for refugee protection, and in 2008, she acted as Learning and Professional Development Advisor. Deborah worked in a variety of roles with the IRB until August of 2019. Throughout her 21-year time with the IRB, Deborah served as Coordinating Member, Assistant Deputy Chairperson, Acting Chairperson and Acting Deputy Chairperson.

Between her transition from Board Member to Learning and Professional Development Advisor for the IRB, Deborah pursued a commercial career as the President of Romlek Enterprises, where she managed land-holding as well as commercial and resident-tenant properties.

After leaving the IRB, Deborah maintained her interest in refugee assistance and went on to work as a Consultant for the Refugee Appeals Board in South Africa.

Early in her career, Deborah used her proficiency in French to work as a French Immersion teacher under the Scarborough Board of Education.

Before beginning her broad professional career, Deborah attended the University of Toronto to receive a Master of Arts in French, Bachelor of Science in Education and an Honours Bachelor of Arts in Modern Languages. She also spent many years volunteering for the North York and Toronto East General Hospitals, Riding for the Disabled and Canadian Centre for Victims of Torture.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who is Deborah Morrish?

Deborah Morrish is an adjudicator, humanitarian and refugee advocate dedicated to the fair and equal treatment of human rights. She is also an educator, volunteer and mother.

What is Deborah Morrish’s Education?
From University of Toronto Deborah Morrish has graduated with a Bachelor of Science, Bachelor of Education, an Honours Bachelor of both Arts and Modern languages, and a Master of both Arts and French. She has a Diploma for French studies out of La Sorbonne, Paris, and has completed certification in Alternative Dispute Resolution Parts 1 & 2 in Toronto, Ontario. She has also completed specialized training in Management for Executives from the Canada School of Public Service.
What is Deborah’s Current Profession?
Deborah currently resides as a full-time adjudicator with the Government of Ontario while simultaneously executing duties internationally as a special envoy/consultant for the United Nations Secretariat in South Africa. She has also been recently appointed by the Ontario Government to the Consent and Capacity Board.
Where is Deborah Morrish From?
Deborah Morrish currently lives in Toronto, Ontario but is also an international traveler as an advocate for refugee rights.
Which affiliations are Deborah Morrish involved with?
Deborah Morrish was previously involved with the Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada for the past 20 years, and now works with the United Nations Secretariat in South Africa. She is also a member and rapporteur of the International Association of Refugee Law Judges (IALRJ)
Why did Deborah Morrish focus her career on Refugee Rights?
Deborah Morrish believes in the appropriate use of the law and saw the opportunity to help others through her own understanding of refugee rights. She understands that fairness and opportunity should be given with equality in mind and seeks the chance to allow refugees the ability to stand on equal footing.