Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
Citizenship is an extremely important issue to us. It is the key to an entire nation's identity. When I became a member of this committee, I found it natural for us to focus on citizenship issues because Quebeckers are constantly striving to preserve their identity. It's probably ingrained in us. Maintaining one's identity implies that one has rights. In Quebec, we had our own Charter of Rights and Freedoms ever before the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms came into being.
Preserving civil rights is also an important value, as is respect for international and UN agreements, most likely because of our European heritage and our close proximity to and trade with Europe. When I became a member of this committee, my colleagues and I worked diligently to correct shortcomings in the Citizenship Act. The sovereignty movement is working to identify citizenship legislation that could apply to a sovereign nation and to ascertain what rules of cohabitation might apply. As we see it, the citizenship rules applied in Australia and in Trinity and Tobago would resolve the situations that have been brought to our attention today.
When I first started working on this file, I felt it was important to resolve this matter once and for all. Furthermore, when I heard Magali Castro-Gyr's story, I was outraged to see a Quebecker being treated this way.
Rest assured that as long as I'm a member of this committee, I will speak out on your behalf!
I did a little more research into this matter last week, particularly in my own riding. Over the weekend, I discussed the issue with a number of citizens. I came to the realization, like many of you, that people are worried. They are not applying for a citizenship card or requesting proof of citizenship because of the stories that have emerged in recent years. They are afraid that they'll be told that they are not Canadian citizens. I think this is only the tip of the iceberg, because many people will be entitled to collect a pension shortly.
The situation is truly shocking! Last week, the minister informed us that there were approximately 450 similar cases. Everyone heard this report. Earlier, I asked my assistant to check and see when the information was updated on various departmental websites. This coincided with the minister's announcement on January 26 that measures would be taken. Before then, the website contained very little information.
Do you feel that you would not be in this situation had this information been available and properly disseminated? The situation has gotten out of hand, perhaps because the department is unwilling to shoulder its share of responsibility.