Madam Speaker, I want to thank the member for raising this important issue. In general, applications are assessed on a case-by-case basis. Decisions are made by highly trained officers who carefully and systematically assess each application against the criteria set out in the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act, or IRPA, and its regulations.
IRPA sets out the core principles and concepts that govern Canada's immigration and refugee protection program, including provisions relating to refugees, sponsorships and removals, detention reviews and admissibility hearings, and the jurisdiction and powers of tribunals. A decision to remove someone from Canada is not taken lightly.
I would like to add that IRPA authorizes designated officers to issue temporary resident permits, or TRPs, to inadmissible foreign nationals when it is justified in certain circumstances. A TRP allows the holder either to enter Canada or to remain in Canada during the validity period of the TRP. A TRP provides the foreign national temporary resident status in Canada. If the TRP is valid for at least six months, the foreign national may apply for a work or study permit. Upon cancellation or expiration of the TRP, the foreign national must leave Canada.
TRPs allow officers to balance the objectives of the IRPA to meet Canada's social, humanitarian and economic commitments while maintaining the health and security of Canadians. Clear records of decisions allow for the monitoring and research necessary for the preparation of the annual report to Parliament. The number of TRPs issued is included in the annual report, and they are categorized according to the grounds of inadmissibility.
I would like to point out that, under the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act, a foreign national who, in the opinion of an officer, is inadmissible or does not meet the requirement of this act becomes a temporary resident if an officer is of the opinion that it is justified in the circumstances and issues a temporary resident permit, which may be cancelled at any time.
The Minister of Immigration, Refugee and Citizenship is authorized by legislation to exempt foreign nationals, including those who may be under a deportation order, from any applicable criteria or obligation of the act, where he deems it is justified on humanitarian and compassionate considerations. The minister takes this authority very seriously, as well as his responsibility as minister to ensure that he is executing his duties in a fair and objective manner.
Due to privacy reasons, I will not speak on any individual cases. However, I assure members that he assesses each case brought to his attention to ensure that he exercises his authority in the best interest of Canada, Canadians and the people who use our immigration system. I hope this is helpful.