In terms of numbers, if you were the immediate family member of the late Toronto Police Constable Todd Baylis, one is too many. I find this idea of minimizing the issue ignores the suffering of the victims of repeat crime from these individuals, delaying their deportation.
In terms of the actual numbers, we have in the last few years averaged 850 appeals to the IAD by foreign nationals who have received serious convictions under IRPA. There are currently 2,700 pending for the IAD, and it takes about 18 months for an IAD appeal to be heard and decided.
Let's put this in perspective. As I said earlier, this is a tiny fraction of the overall number of immigrants. I mean, 850 immigrants out of let's say a quarter of a million is about .03%. It's a fraction of a percent, which is why I find so offensive the notion that we're hearing from some members to conflate this tiny fraction of criminals with the enormous majority of law-abiding immigrants. I think that's profoundly offensive. On the other hand, I think 850 a year is a significant number.