Thank you.
My next question is on the media reports that IRCC is shutting down expedited processing of private sponsorship applications.
The government has indicated that all applications for Syrian refugees received prior to March 31, 2016, will be processed in 2016 and early 2017. Applications received after that time will be processed according to the usual procedures.
How many private sponsorship applications for Syrian refugees are in the processing inventory? Has the department allocated additional resources to finish processing the applications received prior to March 31, 2016? What options are being considered to respond to the ongoing interest in private sponsorship that the Syrian initiative has generated?