We are alive to the fact that the timing is critical. In fact, we're evolving as an operational organization, and it's a continuous requirement to review. With respect to the MOU, it was last signed in 2012, and there has been an evolution of our operational modus operandi, if you will. We agree that there is a need for the revision of that MOU now to reflect the current realities going forward.
In terms of the criminal record checks, that was actually pointed out within the Auditor General's report as something that is working well. The issue in respect to that now is the timing. When it is best to commence that activity? Or is it best possibly to commence it twice, at the front end and the back end, in order to better meet the needs of the citizenship program?
We have met since the report came out, and we welcome those recommendations, absolutely. We've met with our colleagues at IRCC, and we have a continuous dialogue going forward to meet our management action plan of determining the most effective times to do those checks. It's important to note that the checks themselves are point-in-time checks; it's what's in the system at that particular time. We do it once, but then there may be police interaction or charges laid subsequent to that before the citizenship application is processed.
We have to find that most effective spot within the process, and we are working with our colleagues at IRCC. Because there are numbers of competing interests along that process flow to citizenship, we need to determine when is the exact best time to do that. We're getting very good guidance from our colleagues at IRCC.