Mr. Speaker, we heard the situation of false marriages this morning in debate. I think that is a complete red herring. We are not talking about that with regard to this motion. In fact, this motion says that the application process will have to proceed. The common law or spousal sponsorship application has to proceed. The permanent residency application has to proceed. That is the appropriate place for those judgments to be made about whether it is a bona fide relationship or not. That is the place where those decisions will be made.
To raise this as though this is somehow going to allow a whole bunch of fraudulent marriages to be recognized by Canada and our immigration system is completely wrong. The reality is that we do not ask for somebody's landed immigrant papers when we begin a relationship with them or fall in love with them. That would be utterly inappropriate.
Years ago, in my own life, I began a relationship with someone from another country. It was when I was a young man. It was a time when gay relationships were not accepted by our immigration policy. My partner and I could not figure out how to get over that problem of the border in terms of our own relationship. I see other people faced with that same circumstance of the border and the necessity for having legal status in a country. When I see that interfering with their relationship and their ability to form that relationship, to flourish in it and find it a home in Canada, I feel it very personally.
I let that relationship go, because I could not see a way around that particular problem. No one should have to make that kind of decision. When a person is beginning or trying to continue a relationship, they should have the support of the government and the people of Canada and not have road blocks thrown in their way.