About Rafiq Rokerya, FCPA-FCGA

Rafiq Rokerya has dedicated more than four decades of his life to public service. He is a retired Canadian Citizenship Judge (CIC) and spent 32 years as a former Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) Auditor and Manager.

Rafiq is a CPA (Chartered Professional Accountant), he has a Bachelor’s degree in Accounting and Finance from Concordia University, Montreal, Quebec.

From 1981 to 2013, he held various positions in audit, accounting, forensic and tax related matters with Canada Revenue Agency.

In 2013, he was formally appointed by the Governor in Council as a full-time Citizenship Judge for the Citizenship Commission, a quasi-judicial administrative body within Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC).

As a Citizenship Judge Rafiq acquired extensive and up-to-date knowledge on the principles of administrative law and natural justice, various federal statutes and case law regarding citizenship. He also worked with multiple federal legislation including the Citizenship Act, Criminal Code of Canada and the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act.

Rafiq has been active in providing mentorship and guidance to secondary school and university undergraduate students seeking to become successful auditors and accountants. He also volunteered with the Skills for Change program to assist newcomers who hold foreign accounting designations to be able to legally practice their profession in Canada.

Furthermore, Rafiq is a long- standing contributor to civic life in the Region of Peel and the City of Mississauga through his public adjudicative appointments to:

• Diversity, Equity and Anti – Racism Committee
• Election Campaign Finance Committee
• Mississauga Appeal Tribunal

Through his work with Peel District School Board, St. James Food Bank, Rafiq is currently Vice President and Director of John Howard Society of Peel-Halton-Dufferin, where he continues to make a meaningful impact to the wider community.

Born in a Memon Muslim family, Rafiq has always involved himself with volunteer work and fundraising activities in the South Asian community of the GTA. He is a founding member of the Memon Association of Canada and co-hosted and produced a radio talk show for the South Asian Community.

Rafiq has been recipient of many awards, including but not limited to:

• Queen Elizabeth II, Platinum Jubilee and Diamond Jubilee
• “The Credits” Heritage Mississauga Award for volunteer services.
• The Ontario Distinguished Service Award by the Certified General Accountants – Ontario.
• Several Civic Awards of Recognition by City of Mississauga.

Rafiq was recognized for his exceptional services to the Association, the accounting profession, and the community through a Fellowship-FCPA granted by Chartered Professional Accountants – Canada, which is the highest national award granted by the CPA Canada to exceptional CPAs who have brought distinction to the profession.