Thank you, Mr. Chair.
Thank you for being with us today, minister.
Our colleague just asked you a lot of questions about visas. We see in the budget that the proposed changes generally focus on security. I would like to know how the confidentiality of the information that Canada receives from all these people filing visa applications from various countries will be protected and guaranteed in view of the fact that, in the present circumstances, Canada visa application centres, private organizations, are the first to gather the information. This is not currently Immigration Canada's responsibility.
I am going to tell you what troubles me. Canada currently entrusts information centres with very important information from citizens around the world. When those people apply for visas, they trust that Canada will keep their personal information confidential. For a visa application, you have to provide your bank account number, credit card number and family history.
Since private companies control this, what does the government think it will do to prevent potential abuses, particularly thefts of information?