Thank you for raising that question, because when I referred to the concern about the perception of the program by visa officers and CIC, CIC has indicated that they are concerned that this is what we're doing, using this program to bring family members in through the back door.
The reality is that we have an obligation, as sponsorship agreement holders and sponsoring groups working with the sponsorship agreement holders, to assess each case that we put in. We must make an assessment about whether or not we believe these people fit the definition of refugee. It's only after that that we will submit a case for sponsorship.
It is true that people have family members overseas. It's also true that they are refugees, and we will only use this program for that. We believe strongly that this is a protection program only and not a way to bring in family members.
It is unfortunate that there isn't a more broadly defined definition of “family” in the other programs to facilitate family reunification for some families. For example, if you have a family member who is over the age of 22, a child who is over the age of 22, you are unable to use the family class sponsorship program to bring that person in. That is not to say, however, that we are using that program in that way. We are using the program to bring in refugees.
As Canada, we have been doing this program for what, 27 years? Many people have come here through this program as refugees. These people are here now in Canada and are aware of their family members overseas who are in similar situations as they were. That is how we are hearing the stories they have.