Thank you, Mr. Chair.
This amendment, as my colleague has said, removes the bar on the H and C application for 12 months. It does not permit the minister to not examine the H and C request if the claim for refugee protection is pending before the RPD in circumstances where that claimant would be subject to risk to their life or where it's not in the best interest of a child.
Removing the bar for consideration of H and C applications is a safeguard, as I mentioned in the previous amendment, to ensure safety in Canada for those who experience unusual or disproportionate levels of hardship. For example, this could be for a woman and her children who don't have protection in their home country and are fleeing a situation of domestic violence, or any individual fleeing discrimination, harassment, or assault in their home country.
It's already a difficult decision to make, and these applications are complex and take a long time. The difficult decision will be compounded by timelines that are far too tight. Applicants should be able to provide a full picture of their situation, and this amendment will allow risk and hardship to be considered while they're in Canada.
(Amendment negatived)