Thank you.
We are well aware of the fact that there are many Roma who come here to Canada to apply for asylum here. We are also aware of the fact that the majority abandon their request once it comes to appear before a committee and so on. The reasons for that are also well known. The Roma have a traditional nomadic lifestyle. Many of them have no permanent employment or revenues.
On the other hand, we have discussed this with representatives of the government here. When they come to Canada, they are accepted as asylum seekers and receive a cash payment from the day they are accepted as asylum seekers until their hearing or until the procedures come to an end, which can take several years.
In our view, there is a pull factor here, because, as you are aware, they come from their country of origin, but they can move freely in Europe. They can live and work in other countries. They can be there as long as they don't become a burden to the social system of one country for more than three months, where they can look for employment.