Mr. Speaker, when I learned in February of the possibility that Mr. Black might apply for a temporary residence permit, I spoke with officers from the department to tell them that I did not wish to be involved in any way in the matter and that the application should be processed normally and independently from the minister and the minister's office.
The application was processed according to immigration law and regulations, in a fair and independent manner and in the same way as over 10,000 cases every year.