We do not have accurate statistics, obviously, about how many people have succeeded in misrepresenting themselves by coming to Canada as immigrants while in polygamous relationships, or have managed to immigrate along with multiple wives.
Talk to people who work in the sector, in settlement organizations. Talk to my colleagues. Having been in this position for less than two years, travelling the country, I have heard of dozens of cases that are proven.
They are of concern not only to those who have to give services to people in this situation, to the victims of polygamy, but also to cultural communities, because the vast majority of those who immigrate to this country follow the rules, know what is illegal, refrain from polygamy and forced marriage, and celebrate the protections we have in this country. When they see a member of their community living down the street who got away with bringing two or three wives here—one as the wife sponsored, another as the sister, as was claimed at the time, and a third as a parent sponsored under the parents and grandparents program, and there are such cases—they are scandalized that this was allowed to happen, and they would give evidence of the polygamist relationship if there was any hope of its having any consequences.
As of today, there has been no such hope. A criminal conviction for polygamy is a very high threshold. It is hard to do and hasn't been done lately. We are essentially asking those who benefit from the immigration system to help us keep polygamy out of it, and they will be able to do so.