To be absolutely honest, I was not expecting the kind of positive response we got, because this is such a difficult issue, with strongly held views. But I think there's a pretty broad consensus that something needs to be done.
This is an honest, balanced effort to achieve that, which is why every single newspaper editorial I've seen, with one exception—I think we have 15 or 20 here—from the Toronto Star to the National Post, from the Halifax Chronicle Herald to the Victoria Times -Colonist, have essentially endorsed the package, as have key stakeholders.
I've quoted one, but I see here the coordinator of the Catholic Immigration Society, Madame Godbout, saying, “I am strongly in support of stopping the abuse of the inland refugee determination system.”
I have the Victoria Immigrant and Refugee Centre Society saying, “The changes to the refugee system proposed by the...government are a big step in the right direction.”
The Chinese Women's Association of Toronto says, “I am writing you to support your announcement of the refugee reform. That is good news for the Chinese community.”
I'd be happy to table the pages and pages of endorsements from settlement organizations, ethnocultural organizations, refugee policy experts, and media commentators. I think this reflects a pretty broad consensus. Now, that's not to dismiss the fact that there are people with legitimate concerns that we will work through here at the committee.