As I mentioned earlier, when we opened our doors, we received 7,000 disability appeals, and we were not able to assign these appeals immediately because the parties had one year to confirm they were ready.
The Auditor General concluded that this situation increased the backlog, which increased the time it took to hear appeals, and thus the 800-and-some days. As soon as the tribunal could schedule cases and assign them to the tribunal members, we did so. In 2014 we did assess a performance measure for our members. We indicated to our members that our expectations were they would conclude 10 cases a month.
As the Auditor General found, in the first year they were concluding about six cases a month on average. In 2014-15, I'm happy to report, they were concluding 11 cases a month.
What that confirms is that it takes time for our members' capacity to ramp up. It has taken time for them. This is a complex issue. As my colleague indicated, they have to establish that their medical condition is severe and prolonged. It means our members have to look at the case and consider and assess the evidence. It is a complicated matter, and it is taking them time.
We are comfortable with 10 cases a month on average. Some of our more experienced members are doing more. The less experienced are doing fewer cases, but on average it is going well.
I am taking responsibility for their performance.