I totally understand. I totally supported it the other day. That's why I did not interrupt. In fact, I was the one who actively asked for your motion to come forward and to get it through. That is the understanding.
You know that the minister is very accessible. He's already been here twice in a short period of time, and I'm certain that he and his staff will accommodate the times that work for him.
Before I start the meeting, I would like to welcome some of the new members who are with us today.
Madam Lewis, welcome.
Mr. Melillo, welcome to you as well.
I know that Mr. Albas is online. Welcome to this committee, Mr. Albas.
Welcome to meeting number 83 of the House of Commons Standing Committee on Citizenship and Immigration. We are continuing our study of closed work permits and temporary foreign workers.
I am pleased to welcome, for the first hour, the following witnesses. From the Canadian Labour Congress, we have Madam Kwan, Mr. Escobar and Mr. Anavisca, and from the Canadian Bar Association, we have Madam Ramo. Welcome.
I have a request to make of honourable members. We will have a Spanish speaker today: Mr. Anavisca. You will have to be a little patient. The work by our interpreters is going to be good. We will be interpreting from Spanish to English and from English to French so that it can be accommodated simultaneously. Please be a bit patient. I will try to accommodate members' time, for sure.
With that, I will go directly to the Canadian Labour Congress and—