Official Languages committee  You're right when you say that, from 2006 to 2010, most of the cases at the Immigration Appeal Division were handled in English, even if it was sometimes a slim majority, for example from 49 to 51%. However, from 2006 to 2010, close to two-thirds of the cases handled by the Refugee Protection Division were heard in French.

Official Languages committee  The objection must always be raised as soon as possible. If you are telling me that the objection was made five minutes later, it seems to me that it should be acceptable. Five months later is not.

Official Languages committee  Of course.

Official Languages committee  As the chief financial officer, Mr. Gascon could answer your question. There are always budget constraints. But if asked whether we currently have enough money to do our work, I would say yes. Serge, do you want to continue?

Official Languages committee  I will start, but I'll ask Mr. Gascon to continue. As you probably know, Part VII is a challenge for a number of departments, but it's particularly challenging for an administrative tribunal. Actually, given the nature of our organization, our involvement with the people who appear before us and with their communities must be fairly limited to protect the tribunal's neutrality.

Official Languages committee  I can say that we have talked about it, but I know that that's not enough.

Official Languages committee  I'm going to ask Mr. Gascon to answer the question. He is our champion and chairs the committee that prepared the document.

Official Languages committee  Excuse me, Mr. Chair. I just checked something, and I provided some incorrect information to Mr. Godin a minute ago. Could I just correct that for the record?

Official Languages committee  Of the cases that have been filed so far in 2010, we've had 164 requests, not 125 requests. That was 2009 data I gave you. I'm sorry.

Official Languages committee  For some time, there was a lack, if not a complete shortage, of members appointed by the governor in council. Since appointments have been made, the linguistic needs that we set out have been met.

Official Languages committee  For example, perhaps 18 months ago, in the Refugee Protection Division, there were a little over 50 vacant decision-making positions out of 127. These positions were filled based on our needs. As I just said, it's a matter of linguistic capacity, a gender balance, and so on.

Official Languages committee  Nothing is preventing me, the individual, from having the translation done at my own expense.

Official Languages committee  It's important to say that, if the original document was in a language other than the one requested by the minister…

Official Languages committee  The lawyers who plead…

Official Languages committee  … before us are not immigrants.