Citizenship and Immigration committee  I totally agree. For example, the pandemic worker program was not enforced. We have lots of clients who are ready to apply for permanent residency on that basis. We're still waiting for the program to start.

Citizenship and Immigration committee  We agree with Mr. Waldman. I also believe we must broaden the concept, because Canadian citizens and permanent residents of Canada are not the only people who might apply for family reunification. As I said earlier, refugees who are accepted may also request that their family come to Canada.

Citizenship and Immigration committee  Yes. I agree with Mr. Waldman. The issue of dual intent needs to be clarified in the policies, because in our experience, officers will [Technical difficulties].

Citizenship and Immigration committee  Allow me to answer that question. Indeed, it is always difficult to prove an applicant's intention to come to Canada. In the absence of a clear procedure or instructions given to immigration officers, we fear the return of the old way of doing things, meaning refusing visa applications made by people who have an application for permanent residence under consideration.

Citizenship and Immigration committee  Yes, that would be a great idea. At the moment, our experience with immigration officers isn't very positive. So the new criteria are welcome. However, they remain so vague that, in our opinion, the applicant's intention will always be evaluated in the same way, meaning the visa application will be refused, since the double intention is extremely difficult to demonstrate.

Citizenship and Immigration committee  Of course. In fact, when there is a sponsorship application, it must be demonstrated that the relationship is in good faith. In our view, it would be much easier to allow the person to come to Canada to join their Canadian spouse, so that they can see if the climate is right for them, understand how it works in Canada, consider employment or educational opportunities, and see if the relationship can actually work in the Canadian context.

Citizenship and Immigration committee  We welcome this measure, as well. However, the problem will always remain, in our view, when considering the extent to which the applicant has retained ties to their country of origin. For example, in the case of a sponsored person who is thinking of coming to Canada, it is understood that the application for residency has already been approved at the first stage and has been in process for some time.

Citizenship and Immigration committee  I'm so sorry. It happens all the time. As for me, I would like to draw the committee's attention to the problems associated with family reunification, which is a cornerstone of Canada's immigration system. Family reunification comes together in different ways. It can involve a Canadian or permanent resident sponsoring a spouse, but also refugees or humanitarian and compassionate refugee protection claimants applying to be reunited with their family members.