Thank you, Mr. Chairperson.
I guess the first thing I would say is that we were very pleased with both the process that was undertaken by the Auditor General and her officials and the outcome. It required a lot of work on our part. We're not a department, and there was an incredible amount of information requested. But I believe you'll agree with me on the findings in terms of the board having a sound process that's resulting in recommendations to the minister and in recommendations for reappointment in a timely manner, and that we have excellent training and so on. We were very pleased with that, as we were with the Auditor General's recommendation. It certainly helps to have an Auditor General's recommendation to deal with the backlog.
I must say that I do agree, from the perspective of the chair of the IRB, that there have been improvements since the audit began, improvements in the process for processing recommendations from me to the minister, and many of them have been implemented by PCO. So we're seeing much better communication between PCO and us and much better communication with the candidates who are being considered for appointment between PCO and the candidate. We're hearing that from the candidate. I find out as soon as the appointment is made that an appointment has been made, so I can call the candidate, the appointee, and welcome them.
I would say there has been quite a dramatic improvement from the time that I served as deputy chairperson and then as interim chairperson. So I'm very pleased to see that, and I'm very pleased that the government is seriously considering our problem, because it is not just about numbers, and all of you have recognized that; it's about people. Whether it's a sponsorship application, a removal appeal, or a refugee application, there are real people who are waiting for answers.