Evidence of meeting #47 for Citizenship and Immigration in the 39th Parliament, 2nd Session. (The original version is on Parliament’s site, as are the minutes.) The winning word was million.
A recording is available from Parliament.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative Norman Doyle
There's a big difference between the two. One is to suspend, in which case we would wait a while until we can get the video back on. We all know what adjournment is.
Is the committee saying we should suspend? Is there a consensus that we should suspend until the video comes back on, or should we proceed with audio?
Conservative
Conservative
NDP
Olivia Chow NDP Trinity—Spadina, ON
May I just ask for information, in case we do not finish the estimates today? My understanding is that it's in front of the House of Commons for a vote, I believe even as early as next week. Perhaps the clerk can confirm that.
NDP
Olivia Chow NDP Trinity—Spadina, ON
If we do not deal with the budget supplements today, is there any chance that vote could be delayed in the House of Commons? Can you let me know what is the precise time? I think it's on Friday, or is it Monday that is the deadline?
Conservative
The Chair Conservative Norman Doyle
There is no chance that the vote could be delayed in the House of Commons.
The second part of your question is when the vote will occur.
The Clerk of the Committee Mr. Andrew Chaplin
We don't know, because there is one supply day left, but that has not been designated yet. One thing is certain, the main estimates are deemed reported back on the 31st.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative Norman Doyle
Whether we were to report the estimates back or not, they are deemed to be reported back on the 31st. With that knowledge in hand, do you still want to suspend for fifteen minutes?
NDP
Olivia Chow NDP Trinity—Spadina, ON
Just so it's clear, if we don't deal with it before the 31st, then we have forfeited our opportunity to vote or not vote, or to deal with the matter before Friday. May 30 is Friday.
Conservative
Wajid Khan Conservative Mississauga—Streetsville, ON
If it is agreeable to members—and I think most of them would agree that this is important time that we are wasting on suspending the meeting; some of my colleagues have already had their nice picture shots and they look pretty good in those. If we have the audio, I'd like to request their support and we'll continue with this work rather than waste it.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative Norman Doyle
Let me put it to a vote.
How many people would like to proceed with the audio anyway, regardless of the fact that the video is gone?
Conservative
The Chair Conservative Norman Doyle
We have four, so we will proceed.
Where are we, now that we have wasted five minutes?
Mr. Carrier.
Bloc
Robert Carrier Bloc Alfred-Pellan, QC
Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
Good afternoon, Minister Finley.
With respect to the Refugee Program, I see under projected expenditures for 2008-2009 that there is a cut of $3 million. This year, you have earmarked $94 million and last year, you earmarked $97 million. I also noticed that approximately 50 positions for members of the Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada have not been filled since your party came to power.
Can you please confirm that there are indeed 50 positions to fill? Do you intend to fill them, since there has been a budgetary cutback to the Refugee Program? Do you believe that this unduly delays approval of refugees' applications, for a lack of the necessary reviews?
Conservative
Diane Finley Conservative Haldimand—Norfolk, ON
It is extremely important for us to have a refugee system that assists and protects legitimate refugees. In order to do this, the Immigration and Refugee Board must have very competent members.
In the past, candidates were asked to take an exam, but there was no requirement for them to pass. We have changed this. We now require all candidates to pass the exam in order that we have competent members of the Immigration and Refugee Board. This is very important to us.
We have appointed more than 100 people to these positions, specifically 100 out of approximately 140 candidacies. We have even increased the number of positions and are currently appointing more people to process refugees' applications.
There are other factors which must be taken into consideration. We transferred more than $1 million to the Department of Foreign Affairs in exchange for services. There was also the budgetary cutback as a result of sunset funding for special programs. We all intend to operate a comprehensive and legitimate system.
Bloc
Conservative
Diane Finley Conservative Haldimand—Norfolk, ON
I do not have the exact figure right now, but I can provide it to you later.
Bloc