Mr. Chair, I think under the current provisions of the act the ability to apply for permanent residence on humanitarian and compassionate grounds exists. It is meant as a category to provide an avenue for permanent residence for people who do not necessarily fit into any of the other categories outlined in the act or the regulations. As my colleague has mentioned, each applicant is assessed on their own merit, given the relative weight of the circumstances of the case, which would allow them to make a case for permanent residence in Canada.
On December 6th, 2007. See this statement in context.