Citizenship and Immigration committee  We expect about 45,000 this year. So we are looking at what we could do administratively to improve that process, and we are working with our colleagues in the minister's office and also within Treasury Board to indicate what the possibilities might be in terms of increasing resources to the board.

Citizenship and Immigration committee  Not having sat on what we call in English the SAB—I think it is CCS in French—I cannot tell you about the exact nature of the discussions that take place around that table. Clearly, if someone's application indicates that he has a criminal record, the case would be looked at a little more closely.

Citizenship and Immigration committee  The procedure depends on the situation. For example, if there were an allegation of misconduct against a member, the board would conduct an investigation and make a recommendation to the governor in council.

Citizenship and Immigration committee  There are provisions in the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act dealing with relieving a member of his responsibilities. I do not have the details in front of me, but those procedures are set out in the act.

Citizenship and Immigration committee  Let me consult with a colleague.

Citizenship and Immigration committee  Criteria are not set out that way, it is true. One of the provisions in the act requires at least 10% of members to be lawyers. If memory serves, currently, about 20% of members are lawyers. So that is not a cause for concern at the moment. I have sat on a selection committee where one person in four was a lawyer by training.

Citizenship and Immigration committee  The chair makes his recommendation based on the performance and the extent to which the board member continues to demonstrate the competencies I outlined, and also the extent to which a board member is performing adequately in terms of hearing the required number of cases and delivering written decisions on time.

Citizenship and Immigration committee  The board member is made aware of the chair's recommendation--

Citizenship and Immigration committee  Yes.

Citizenship and Immigration committee  I can't speak to specific cases--

Citizenship and Immigration committee  The general pattern of appointments is that a member is appointed initially for a three-year period. If the member is reappointed, it is usually for a five-year period, and then, at that point, successive appointments are usually for a one-year period. I believe we've had one member in the recent past whose total length of time was extended to 11 years, but generally speaking, even from the members' point of view, most members, by the end of about eight, nine or ten years, are actually looking at moving on to other stages in their career.

Citizenship and Immigration committee  Thank you very much, Mr. Chair. Good morning and thank you for the invitation to appear before you today. I am pleased to have this opportunity to introduce myself to the committee and provide you with information on the Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada's governor in council selection process.