Thank you, Mr. Chair.
Thank you, Minister Kenney and department officials, for being with us today. We appreciate your time. I am not a regular member of this committee but I certainly picked an interesting day to substitute for my friend, Mr. Trottier. I'm very pleased to be here.
As I think you know, Minister, I'm a first generation Canadian. Both my parents emigrated from Italy in the 1950s. My mother came in 1950 when she was six years old. My father came in 1956 when he was 15 after being separated from his father for four years, until they could afford to bring my father and two of his younger brothers to Canada.
I would say that both of my parents learned English fairly easily, probably because they were young.
I'm wondering if you have any idea whether age has an impact on how quickly new immigrants learn whatever language they're immersed in.