According to the current rule—even before this bill came about—applications are reviewed in the order in which they are received, and then a decision is made. We are all familiar with that way of operating because it's the rule that we learned when we were in kindergarten, and it's called “wait your turn”. Underlying that is a rule of elementary justice whereby all applications should be reviewed.
What is of concern to me is that we will have a system where instructions will not have been debated collectively or democratically in different forums. They will be made on a discretionary basis and will change that rule. It is probable that a large number of people will never receive a response to their application. There will be no rule, and yet people will spend their time and money to make an application. They will try to imagine a different future, based on the fact that they have made an application, but they will never receive an answer, because this bill makes it possible for them not to be given an answer.
In my opinion, that is a violation of an individual's right to be treated with dignity, even when that individual is from another country. Of course, there is no ability to exercise a right within the meaning of the Charter if you are outside of Canada, but as far as I am concerned, it's a question of elementary dignity.