Mr. Cuzner, I respectfully disagree.
Because I had some experience dealing with backlogs at the quasi-judicial bodies at the IRB in my time at immigration, I immediately understood the problem of backlogs. It's like a debt. If you don't deal with it, it keeps growing.
I immediately asked for advice on how we could deal with this and essentially the chairman of the SST said.... When I became minister in July, they were still getting tooled up. I directed my staff to work with the tribunal and tried to get to a full complement of decision-makers as quickly as possible. I'm pleased to tell you that of the 74 statutory full-time positions, I believe we're at 72 right now. I think there was one recent resignation and sadly a recent death.