Thank you, Mr. Chair.
As part of the cost reduction measures set out in the budget 2012 spending review, the federal government decided to close the Ottawa hearings office of the Immigration and Refugee Board effective April 2014. As noted by the IRB:
...individuals residing in Eastern Ontario and Western Quebec with a proceeding before the Board will be expected to travel to the IRB Regional Office in Montreal for their hearing instead.
As well, the IRB announced that it is closing its in-person hearing offices across the Prairies in favour of establishing video conference facilities in Edmonton and Winnipeg.
I'm just wondering what the effects of these closures are and what effect they've had on the tight hearing timelines for those who do not live in the major centres where the offices are now located.