Even within the same country of origin, pockets of people will be exempt, so again that hasn't been decided. It's country by country. I just wanted to let you know about that.
About the eight days, I think a lot of misinformation has been given by witnesses, unfortunately. The idea, I believe, is that the eight-day interview will be completed by an immigration officer with the assistance of an IRB officer.
For the sixty-day period, the significant change is that the Governor-in-Council decision-maker will be phased out and replaced by members employed under the Public Service Employment Act. The chair of the IRB came before our committee, and he will determine how to fill those spots. He said it will be a thorough, wide process, and we will not include only civil servants. That might be something we'd like everybody to know.
About Mexico: if you all remember, Mexicans are not part of the false claimant list. Last year 89% of Mexican applications were turned down, and we had to put back the visa application requirement. From the 92,000 who applied as refugees before the visa requirement was dropped, it came down to a handful. That means Mexico is probably where some of the false claimants came from.
About interviews: I understand some people are concerned about people who have evidence of trauma or vulnerability, but the interviewing officers the Immigration and Refugee Board appointed have the flexibility to adjourn interviews to a later date in cases where they find it necessary. The reformed system looks at that as well.
I was really disappointed that people are still happy with the present situation, whereby we have 18 months of wait time for genuine refugee claimants and we have people who have been here for ten years who still haven't got a final answer. I don't know why people still feel the present system is working.
I want to share my time with Mr. Calandra.
