Mr. Speaker, we consider the backlog to be completely unacceptable. That is precisely why my predecessor came up with a common sense plan to triage the backlog within the department, that is to say, treat the cases that have been around for a long time by settling them before they even have to go before the tribunal.
I can report to the House that my officials advise we are on track to eliminate the backlog and that our officials within the department are making great progress toward that goal.