Thank you very much, Mr. Chairman.
And I want to thank the Canadian Labour Congress for their presentation and for their contribution to Bill C-50.
I was trying to find something you like about this bill, and I think in many ways you reflect the opinions we have heard. The concern I have is that we really don't know where to start. We really haven't heard one presentation that has been very supportive, or supportive at all, of the government initiative.
Outside of the parliamentary secretary, the members of the Conservative Party, and the minister herself, I wonder if there are people out there who actually support this bill. After having talked to a lot of people across the country--I've spoken to many--I've come to the conclusion that this bill really doesn't have any legs to stand on as a response to the challenges we face in immigration.
It is also of major concern that the consultation process-before and after--has not been adequate. The fact that they're trying to push this through in a budget bill is of concern from a democratic point of view and a parliamentary process point of view. Above and beyond the fact that this bill does not address its original intent, which was to deal with the backlog, it is a bad example to give Canadians as to how our democracy works. That's the great damage of this bill. It goes above and beyond the issue of immigration.
So I'd like to give you this opportunity. What kind of advice do you have for the minister? If she were here--and Mr. Komarnicki can actually report to her--what would you tell her?