Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
Good morning, ladies and gentlemen. My question is for the representatives of Citizenship and Immigration Canada. I understand that you're overwhelmed. We read in the report that there are overwhelming situations.
One-third of the citizen files at my constituency office in Gatineau concern immigration in all its forms. This morning I was talking to my colleague from Ottawa—Vanier about the urban constituencies. Three-quarters of his files concern immigration and citizenship.
I'd like to get an answer from you. If you can't give it to me today, I would like a written response at some other time.
Why is the Citizenship and Immigration Canada office in Gatineau only open two hours a week? I repeat: two hours a week. I'm going to say it in Latin as well: two hours a week.
We know there are special immigration agreements in Quebec. People go to the Ottawa office and come back to my office because there are specific issues. We have to have this service. I'm about to tell Citizenship and Immigration Canada that, if they want to have an office in my office, that's not a problem for me, provided the office is open longer in order to process all the applications.
Is there a rule? Is it an exception that the office is open only two hours a week in Gatineau? I'd like to understand your point of view on this matter and with regard to the processing of applications?