Citizenship and Immigration committee  Did the fraud start in 2006, or was there actually fraud before that?

Citizenship and Immigration committee  Mr. Fadden, am I to understand that the fraud rate all of a sudden increased under the Conservatives? Is this what you're saying, sir?

Citizenship and Immigration committee  In 2006 and 2007, in spite of ministers who are not pushovers, it's taking longer to come to this country. From Beijing it's taking 48% longer. These are figures you're not disputing. I'm asking you why this is happening. If you're telling me it's because of security issues, tell me what changed between 2005 and 2006.

Citizenship and Immigration committee  You didn't add China.

Citizenship and Immigration committee  On April 1—

Citizenship and Immigration committee  I'm not talking about this year. I'm talking about 2006-07, when the processing time out of China went through the roof. Yet, you probably have either fewer staff or the same number of staff over there.

Citizenship and Immigration committee  So why is it taking longer than it did before?

Citizenship and Immigration committee  Mr. Fadden, you stated that the government has absolutely no control of when people land. Did I understand that correctly?

Citizenship and Immigration committee  Mr. Fadden, don't the health, medical, background clearance, and passport have to be valid? Don't they have one year from whenever the medical...? You're the deputy minister, sir; you must know this.

Citizenship and Immigration committee  But they have to be in Canada within one year of the issuing of the visa, or even less sometimes.

Citizenship and Immigration committee  In 2006, we had fewer people landing than in 2005. In 2007, we had fewer people than in 2005. You issue the visas, and they have a couple of months to come to Canada. Overall, there was a yearly drop of about 10%.

Citizenship and Immigration committee  Mr. Chair, on a point of order, sir.

Citizenship and Immigration committee  When I put it to him, the deputy minister declined to answer my question about advice given to the minister and how many times they took it or not, and yet now the deputy minister made a statement, which I would consider to be political, regarding whether or not the ministers are pushovers.

Citizenship and Immigration committee  So you instructed the agent who to go after, or was it Public Works that was instructed?

Citizenship and Immigration committee  Well, you know what newspapers you advertised in. Was it the department that chose the newspapers you advertised in or was it Public Works?