Citizenship and Immigration committee  This isn't just a refugee issue. Under the present legislation as it was amended, the minister can make instructions. I can tell you as a practising lawyer that I'm not even on top of all the instructions he's issued. Every day practically there are new instructions, fundamental

Citizenship and Immigration committee  Okay. I wasn't aware of that, actually, but I think it's important for people who fall through the cracks to be able to have their cases considered.

Citizenship and Immigration committee  That may be, but that's a refugee claim; it's not a humanitarian claim.

Citizenship and Immigration committee  Let me just clarify. In order to be able to meet the definition of refugee, the person has to show they would be persecuted, not have an uncomfortable life, but persecuted. They will not get a humanitarian consideration from those countries, as I understand it, which is a lesser

Citizenship and Immigration committee  I agree on that level.

Citizenship and Immigration committee  Probably one of the most common examples is persons who are gay who come from countries that don't tolerate gays. They may not be recognized as refugees because the level of risk they face is not the kind of risk that amounts to persecution or torture or cruel treatment. It's the

Citizenship and Immigration committee  I am critical of the legislation, and I just want to make a couple of opening statements on my position on this legislation. First of all, immigration is about the management of people. The rules apply to individuals, and if the rules are absolute and strict, people fall through