Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I am happy to have a little more time today to question the minister.
Last spring, I had expressed my concerns to the minister with respect to the various categories of immigrants abroad who had simply given up applying. I wonder if the minister could provide the committee clerk with an outline of the number of people who do not complete the immigration formalities.
Earlier, I listened to the discussion between the minister and other committee members, and I requested the most recent unit costs. However, we need an idea of how these unit costs have evolved since the change in government. Therefore, we would greatly appreciate an outline for 2004, 2005 and 2006. It only involves a few details.
Moreover, you seem to be steadfast in your refusal of the demand to have some type of amnesty or regularization system.
Can we expect some type of commitment from you? You have some discretion when it comes to determining the penalties that can vary from six months to two years. Also, could undocumented workers working in Canada who are forced to leave be given minimum sentences by your department? Could there be a limit of six months?
I firmly believe that we need some type of regularization program to meet the needs of the industry. However, would you be willing to commit to a six month penalty? That does not seem to be the case in the offices abroad; they seem to be applying a much stricter penalty at this time.