We heard the submission that many things can be done without having the legislation changed. For example, we could restore the $4 million in cuts inflicted on the refugee board. We could hire more of the permanent refugee protection officers and give them the power to grant approval status. That would fast-track a whole whack of them. It would clear up the backlog and remove political patronage from the appointments at the refugee board. All of that can be done right now by the minister without dealing with the legislative change, so I see no need to delay.
On October 20th, 2009. See this statement in context.