Thank you, Mr. Chair.
Through you, to our witnesses, I'll give you a few stats, first of all, before I start asking questions.
Between 2000 and 2013, the overall temporary resident visa approval rate across the board was about 83% or thereabouts—it's pretty high. In 2012, Canada issued a record 235,000 visitor visas in China, a 158,000 increase over 2004. In 2012, 25,245 study permits were issued, an increase of 235% since 2004. Of course, China was the number one source for immigration in 2012, with 32,990 permanent residents admitted.
We have other methods to get into Canada, especially for Chinese students when they graduate here, through Canadian experience class. You all acknowledge that, right? We also have a very robust parents and grandparents program, which is at about an 86% approval rate around the world right now, correct?
Ms. Go, I am having a little bit of difficulty. In your early comments, you suggested that visa officers abroad show a personal bias or prejudice. These stats don't support that.
Mr. Wong, you had mused that perhaps Canadians don't want to see any more Chinese in this country, or more Chinese—words to that effect, correct?
Right now in Canada, there are over 1.5 million people of Chinese heritage. That's one of the biggest communities in this country, so I would say that doesn't support your claims.
I wanted to address that. I worked for a long time in the Canadian Forces. While in that job, I did a lot of multi-ethnic outreach as part of the Canadian Armed Forces, and of course I worked for Jason Kenney for two years, doing a lot of multi-ethnic outreach in the GTA. As you know, Minister Kenney reaches out quite broadly and does tremendous work with all communities across Canada.
Let's just get down to some questions.
Ms. Go, I'll start with you. The other day, CIC officials informed our committee that a number of years ago, far more interviews were conducted. However, they didn't find them to be an overly useful process in the vast majority of cases. I'd like to know from you, first, do you think there should be more face-to-face interviews conducted? And second, in your opinion, how does this affect efficiency and the integrity of the immigration system?
Mr. Wong, I'll ask you to answer the same questions.