I'm not a policy-maker. I represent a group that delivers policy as it's designed by the department and on the instructions of the minister.
The eligibility requirements set out for this visa include the ability on the part of the sponsor or the host to support a parent, and the requirement that medical insurance be there. These issues reflect a balance between a desire to facilitate visits to Canada of parents and grandparents for longer periods and perhaps more frequently than had been possible in the past, and the interests of Canadian taxpayers, who perhaps feel some of the pressure of obtaining health care for their own family members. It seems to be a balance that was achieved through discussions with various stakeholders.
I'm a little concerned that there seems to be a belief that missions might use this type of instrument sparingly. I would like to assure the members of this committee that our instructions to missions are to facilitate the issuance of this type of visa. We will be monitoring this from headquarters and if necessary reinforcing instructions to ensure that the minister's wishes are carried out as he's expressed them.