Thank you, Mr. Chair.
Ms. Rajaratnam, thank you for your remarks, which I consider very pertinent. You raise a question that is important in every case: how do we distinguish between individuals who pose a potential risk to our security and those who do not?
We all agree that it is important to ensure the security of the system. However, we need a fair and transparent system. When a temporary visa application is filed, it is important to get clear answers if it is refused.
With your permission, I will briefly share the example of a family living in my riding. You have two parents who are both permanent residents, and the father filed a temporary resident visa application for their two-year-old daughter so that she could join them since she was born outside Canada. They submitted two applications, and those applications were refused on the same grounds. That is to say that the parents were told that the person in question could not return to her country if she entered Canada, and for good reason: she is a child. Here we see the inconsistency and lack of transparency of the decisions that are made.
This morning, Don Davies proposed that an appeal measure be put in place so that people who submit a visa application can file an appeal and have their application reviewed. I would like to know what improvements you consider necessary for the issuing of visas. Thank you.