I was a little perplexed with the explanation of the members from the NDP, particularly Ms. Blanchette-Lamothe, because I don't think she was describing this particular amendment.
As I read amendment NDP-2 before me, Mr. Chair, the amendment would allow time spent outside of the country by permanent residents for professional reasons to count towards residency requirements. That's the amendment NDP-2 I have before me. If that's the amendment we're discussing here and not the explanation I heard, the government will not be supporting the amendment.
We believe that a six-year window to accumulate four years of physical presence provides flexibility to accommodate applicants whose work or personal circumstances from time to time require them to travel outside of the country. All applicants will be able to accumulate absences of up to two years within the qualifying period. We believe the bill provides enough flexibility for that, and therefore, we will not be supporting amendment NDP-2.