Thank you very much.
Minister, welcome to your first committee meeting as minister. I'd like to thank you very much for outlining your plans and priorities for your ministry and department.
I am wondering why ministers consistently present numbers. I'm referring to landed immigrants. Why do you put them together with temporary workers, with students? I think it's misleading. We raised this point earlier, but there's this insistence that you've allowed more people than any previous government. I wonder why that is. Perhaps you can explain.
My colleagues will be dealing with specific issues related to waiting times and other related issues, but here's a broader question. I was struck by your presentation in one significant way. It makes one reference here that “In tough economic times, the demands placed on governments are greater. And our government will meet the needs of Canadians.”
As a minister who is in a cabinet that is facing perhaps one of the most significant economic periods of our history as a country--this recession--I was struck that there was no reference to the great concerns you may have in relation to immigrants themselves, who fare poorly during these times, and who require, may I say, special attention. As you know, it is women, young people, and new Canadians who are affected by the recession more than any other group.
I was quite surprised that your presentation had just one line in reference to this period of economic turmoil. What is your specific plan to help immigrants deal with these tough economic times?