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?