Mr. Chair, that was a long answer, and I think I'm going to run out of time. I think our committee really should look at the experience class program, because I see that under another program that used to be called the low-skilled pilot project we have workers in areas such as cleaning, hospitality, manufacturing, oil and gas, construction, etc., and they are not likely going to be able to fit under the experience class. If this committee is to make some sort of suggestions as the department is about to put the policy in place, I think it certainly should have some discussion regarding which of the 150,000 temporary foreign workers each year should be allowed to stay and apply in Canada, and what that number should be. Why should it be 3% or 8%? Why shouldn't it be higher? I believe if they're good enough to work here, probably most of them should be good enough to stay here.
On February 25th, 2008. See this statement in context.