Perhaps I can clarify that, Mr. Chair.
In terms of the current process of conducting criminal clearance processes, we do send information to our global case management system, which is a protected system. We send it to the RCMP, and the CBSA also has access to it.
Basically, we can do a criminal check very quickly. In some cases fingerprinting of individuals may be required. That's certainly the case in a certain percentage of cases. It may take longer to get the fingerprinting results back, but as I say, we currently do have processes in place for the exchange of information.
I think what has been identified is the need for more timely information sharing, in some cases from the time we actually make a decision and actually receive some of the criminal clearances.
I would say as well, though, that in addition to the importance of doing criminal security clearances, we do look at our immigration clearance checks as well to make sure that no issues have been raised. We also check the border passenger entries of individuals. That's another way of verifying whether there have been issues. We do an in-depth program integrity interview. That's another way of actually being able to identify whether there are issues.
Our officers are trained. We've enhanced the training on the guidance on the need to look at the original documents and verify them against sample documents. We have centres of expertise as well that actually have experience in identifying the kinds of issues that officers should be looking at.
There are a number of different factors that are taken into account, in addition to, of course, the work that the RCMP and the CBSA does with us and the information they provide.