Thank you. I'll make it very quick.
The minister yesterday, in the House, stood and said that we have decreased the reunification time by 40% and we're bringing families into Canada sooner. That is total hogwash. Instead of decreasing it, they're increasing it. In the year 2007 there was another increase of 7.62% in the length of time it takes to process applications. The number of people coming into Canada between 2005 and 2007 dropped by 25,547 people.
Indeed, we have this piece of legislation, and the parliamentary secretary yesterday, in this committee, did some grandstanding, if you want—and we certainly clapped for him—and said that we should have this brought to the committee and studied until May 7. This committee goes back on April 28. It has four sitting days.
My question to you, as stakeholders, is this. Can this committee invite petitioners, invite lawyers, invite the ministers and study Bill C-50 in four days?
Your comments?