MONTREAL — A billionaire member of Tunisia's once-dominant ruling clan, who is believed to be hiding out in Canada, is scheduled to make a public appearance.

The Immigration and Refugee Board says Belhassen Trabelsi is due before its appeal division in April to fight a decision to boot him out of the country.

According to the IRB, the reason for the hearing is the appeal of an order revoking his status as a Canadian permanent resident.

Trabelsi is thought to be quietly living in Montreal with his family since last year, when the Tunisian regime collapsed.

The billionaire fled here with his family after a revolution toppled his brother-in-law, former president Zine El Abidine Ben Ali. He used his status to get across the border.

Federal authorities have been tight-lipped about Trabelsi's status but sources have told The Canadian Press that the government revoked his residency last year, shortly after he arrived.

According to the IRB, to keep permanent resident status in Canada, one must be in Canada for at least two years during every five-year period and Trabelsi no longer qualifies for residency.

Those who live outside of Canada must be either accompanying a Canadian citizen; employed full-time by a Canadian business or province; in the public service; or accompanying a permanent resident who meets that criteria.

According to the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act, when the rules are not met, a permanent resident may be deemed inadmissible and issued a departure order.

The Canadian government has said previously that Trabelsi has sought refugee status in Canada and has the right to due process, but they don't want him here.

The interim government in Tunisia has issued an international warrant for the arrest of Trabelsi.

An IRB spokesman says no other information is in the public domain at this time, but the hearing in April is expected to be public.