Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
I listened closely to your testimony. Maybe I'm somewhat naive, but after listening to all of you, I find it incredible that no consideration was given to the human beings caught up in the drama.
As I see it, seemingly outdated laws are being applied. For instance, mention was made of persons who were not married or whose marriage was not recognized, or of children born during wartime. I listened closely and I'm astonished that laws take precedence over human beings.
Had I been working for Citizenship and Immigration and someone had come to me to tell me their story, it seems to me that I would have proposed a course of action long ago to resolve these situation. It must be costing the state and you a pretty penny. It's an abhorrent, ridiculous state of affairs.
I read your story, Mr. Taylor. The government even appealed the ruling in your case. Regardless of the reasons involved, I find your story incredible. Perhaps it's a case of occupational bias. I'm a priest by calling and an expert in the Bible. The Pharisees were sticklers for rules and laws. Sometimes, I get the impression that certain government or department officials or certain individuals working for a department are nothing more than Pharisees, that is they look at the law and see it as an absolute dictate. They don't take into account individuals or their circumstances. It's a complete and total aberration.
My question is for all of you.
You are a stateless person, Ms. Porteous. If the decision goes against you, where will you be sent? To the middle of the Atlantic or Pacific Ocean? Where are stateless persons sent? What happens to you?