The Conservatives have been in power since 2006. In 2006, out of political principle, the Conservatives did not want to make political appointments; that lasted four years, Mr. Weston. In those four years, the number of judges on the panel was reduced by half. That therefore reduced by half the panel's ability to make decisions. So, during that time, a backlog that reached 60,000 claims in 2010, was automatically created. In 2010, the Governor in Council started appointing new decision-makers to the board again. That reduced delays and increased the number of decisions that the panel could make in a year.
It is as if the minister has a car and the “check engine” and “check oil” lights come on. But he pretends that they haven't and keeps driving until the car slows down or stops. Then he gets out, looks at it and says that it is no good any more and he has to get a new one.