Citizenship and Immigration committee  I'd like to make a comment. Unfortunately, I can't answer your question, but I would like to forewarn of another concern I have, and I'm sure my colleagues do as well. We're faced with a looming election. That could lead to more paralysis in the appointment process if in fact we

Citizenship and Immigration committee  To be fair to the IRB in Montreal, a few Board members were recalled, in view of the existing shortage. Why weren't those who were qualified reappointed? I don't know, apart from the 10 years—

Citizenship and Immigration committee  I think that's a GIC policy that runs across all administrative tribunals, not just the IRB, and that's an issue that goes well beyond the particular sphere of—

Citizenship and Immigration committee  It shouldn't be.

Citizenship and Immigration committee  If they're qualified. We've been in situations where we're praying that mandates will come to an end.

Citizenship and Immigration committee  I'm not privy to his decision, but I suspect that's the case.

Citizenship and Immigration committee  Simply because it is the minister who is appointing them. That's the position we're taking.

Citizenship and Immigration committee  I said in my submission that I do not believe it is inappropriate for the chair of the board to have a good working relationship, an intimate relationship, with the minister. I don't think there's anything wrong with that.

Citizenship and Immigration committee  I think it's simply the perception and the potential for continued patronage. We've lived with it, sir, since 1989.

Citizenship and Immigration committee  I can tell you with regard to Montreal. I sit on the regional IRB committee as an Acadie representative. The statistics in Montreal are that approximately 60% go to a full hearing from ADR, and time delays in Montreal are probably the same with regard to ADR, and slightly less wi

Citizenship and Immigration committee  And sometimes refusals, second-time refusals.

Citizenship and Immigration committee  That's a difficult question. I honestly don't believe that a written exam should trump all other considerations with regard to the selection of a member, particularly if you have confidence in your six-member panel.

Citizenship and Immigration committee  No, particularly if you're getting a large volume of applicants.

Citizenship and Immigration committee  Sure.

Citizenship and Immigration committee  I don't know what decisions were made on a case-by-case basis. It's very difficult to come to conclusions on the basis of those statistics. You have to rely—