Thank you, Mr. Bevilacqua.
We've certainly had this discussion and agreed on the need to improve economic outcomes for newcomers, which is why we brought in the action plan that is better aligning economic integrated selection with our labour market needs. It's processing our applications faster. It's why we've expanded the provincial nominee programs that typically include pre-arranged employment for people who come to Canada, which certainly helps their immediate economic success. It's why we've tripled the funding for settlement services and language training, it's why we created the Canadian experience class immigration program to allow pre-integrated, highly skilled temporary foreign workers and qualified foreign students to have a pathway to permanent residency.
I get your larger point absolutely. I would, however, challenge the assertion that this ministry is neglected or sidelined. If you look at the Minister of Finance's 2006 budget, it clearly underscores that future labour market development, including immigration, is central to Canada's mid- to long-term economic success. That was the policy rationale for my colleague, the Minister of Finance, to increase the budget of this department by hundreds of millions of dollars to invest in settlement services. That was real money. As you know, budget-making is about choices, and the government chose to invest and we are continuing to invest in these areas.