With respect, as it relates to immigration, though, the government of which you were a part spent $882 million as a departmental budget for this department. We are spending $1.392 billion; that represents a 57% increase, not a 1% increase. That doesn't include some of the other investments we've made, such as the recent $50 million for pathways to credential recognition.
As it relates to intake of immigrants, I think you're constantly using 2005 as a benchmark, which was an aberrant year because of the tsunami and the acceleration of applications in Southeast Asia. But the reality is that the average intake of permanent residents since we came to office is greater than the average intake under the governments of either Prime Minister Chrétien or Prime Minister Martin. Last year there were 247,000 permanent residents and 508,000 newcomers altogether, if we include students and temporary workers, many of whom, by the way, thanks to our government, now have a pathway to permanent residency, which is a major reform in our immigration system.
With respect, I share your passion for immigration, but I reject your analysis of the figures.