Citizenship and Immigration committee  Formerly, I was very involved in community activities. I do not understand exactly what you mean by "community activities". In my opinion, it means my social involvement in various organizations, like those that help underprivileged people, such as persons injured while at work

Citizenship and Immigration committee  Of course, asylum seekers are human beings. It is not easy for them to leave their home country. Even if the person is not a refugee, he has left his homeland. Therefore, claimants must be respected. The tribunal, as such, might not be humanitarian, but we are also human beings a

Citizenship and Immigration committee  Now, you simply want to—

Citizenship and Immigration committee  No.

Citizenship and Immigration committee  If there is an unreasonable error, the claimant can apply to Federal Court. As my colleague Mr. Jobin said, there are other stages. This is our job.

Citizenship and Immigration committee  I would like to add something, Mr. Chairman. We have to be very cautious here. Recently, for example, I have had to deal with a number of cases from Algeria. We are not talking about the Algeria of seven or eight years ago, we are talking about the Algeria of today. So we have t

Citizenship and Immigration committee  We've received a great deal of training. We get training once a month, on Thursday at noon. There are also fairly systematic training programs on various countries, particularly when the situation in these countries changes, so that we stay up to date on these countries. We shou

Citizenship and Immigration committee  I went through the same process. I was invited to take an examination. After that, I met with the individual. We discussed the case. I suppose that this individual was satisfied with what I said and the way in which I analyzed the case I was given.

Citizenship and Immigration committee  If you are talking about personal training, I never took part in any such program. We have legal briefings, at which we are given training. We can become specialized ourselves by reading various documents, and newspapers from Africa. Personally, I have been working in the area o

Citizenship and Immigration committee  No, there is personal training available if we ask for it. Personally, I have never really needed it.

Citizenship and Immigration committee  Yes, of course. I was appointed at the same time as my colleague Michel Jobin. We were appointed at the same time. At this time, every year, we are assessed. At the end of our term, there is a post-term evaluation. That is the way it has always worked and it continues to do so. O

Citizenship and Immigration committee  The only problems that I as a decision-maker may rule upon are legal ones. I have nothing to do with administrative issues. If there are any problems related to a case, lawyers are prepared to provide us with advice. I am there as a decision-maker not an administrator. So, I am n

Citizenship and Immigration committee  As a member, I cannot answer that question, since that is not part of my duties. My job is to hear from the claimant and to make a decision with regard to the claim. My job is not to make recommendations to improve the system.

Citizenship and Immigration committee  I want to give you a brief overview of my training and qualifications. Good day, Mr. Chairman, members of the committee. As you have noted, I speak with an accent. I hope that you will be able to understand me properly. I was born in Italy. I was 15 when I came to this country.