Mr. Speaker, we have learned today that the Conservative government recently appointed Pharès Pierre, former chief of staff of the Prime Minister of Haiti during the Aristide regime, to the Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada. Given the importance of the Haitian situation for Canada, it is a source of concern that such an appointment has taken place. The Haitian diaspora is justifiably concerned.
Two questions arise with respect to this appointment. Why did the Minister of Citizenship and Immigration recommend Pharès Pierre as a board member, and did the security report not mention Mr. Pierre's political past in Haiti?