Mr. Speaker, I have been listening to the debate today. I guess I am a bit embarrassed on behalf of the House at some of the things that have been said today.
It is very easy to pick a case and to characterize all cases as having the same characteristics. It is very easy to throw numbers around and suggest that somehow a greater number of people are engaged in a certain activity than in fact would be the case.
As an example, the member used the auditor general's report and the issue of some 20,000 applicants whose status appeals have been denied and who are to leave. I understand from the member that only 4,000 have left, which means there are 16,000 yet to be accounted for. I wonder if the member would not also agree that of that number it is very likely a substantial portion of those people are no longer in the country. In fact, they have probably left simply because of that.
I find the member's explanation astounding. I want him to explain it to the House as I think it is very important. He said those 16,000 people are in fact still here and that 80% of them will go on to become Canadian citizens. They cannot have it both ways. If they have made application under due process and have been denied, I wonder if the member could explain to me exactly how 80% of them will then go on to become Canadian citizens.