Citizenship and Immigration committee  I think you will have to address that question to the Governor in Council, Mr. Chairman.

Citizenship and Immigration committee  Through you, Mr. Chair, to answer the question, when we had a change of government, the process was declared to be under review. The people here were not subjected to the screening process. I think I addressed that question with Mr. Siksay.

Citizenship and Immigration committee  It was with the change of government.

Citizenship and Immigration committee  Mr. Chairman, I would like to clarify something for the sake of fairness. I have been at the helm of the commission for three years. I've seen three governments, and I can tell you that the shortage of judges or the fact that we were dealing with delays is not necessarily confined to only one of them.

Citizenship and Immigration committee  Well, I mean, in theory the Governor in Council could appoint whoever they want to appoint. I can provide all the recommendations. I make my recommendations to the minister, who in turn makes a recommendation to cabinet. Cabinet is sovereign and could decide whatever it wants to decide.

Citizenship and Immigration committee  I'm talking of the past again. Now, as I said, we are expecting direction on it. But from the date of application to the date when you are in a position to make a recommendation and references are checked, it takes about three months to do a decent job, about 90 days.

Citizenship and Immigration committee  It is 90 days, including the interview.

Citizenship and Immigration committee  It all started in 2004, when I basically inherited the responsibility of MAC. And where I was, basically, was that I had to fill the void. I had the additional responsibility of suggesting to the then-minister a process for pre-qualification, and again, all aspects of it, because I would like it to be a little bit like what my IRB counterpart is doing.

Citizenship and Immigration committee  You know--

Citizenship and Immigration committee  No.

Citizenship and Immigration committee  It has been under review since the arrival of the new minister.

Citizenship and Immigration committee  It was around January 23, yes.

Citizenship and Immigration committee  Yes, I have these numbers. Before I get to the numbers, let me just tell you that since you are basically dealing with a prerogative of the governor in council, which is the prerogative to appoint, the screening process basically has to be reassessed from government to government.

Citizenship and Immigration committee  Mr. Chairman, I'll start by answering the question about the presence of MPs, our elected officials, at citizenship ceremonies. All elected officials are welcomed to attend these ceremonies, if they wish. Their presence is noted, except during election campaigns. Municipal, provincial and federal representatives are always welcomed, as the citizenship ceremony is open to the public.

Citizenship and Immigration committee  Mr. Chair, it is critical to basically have our full complement in order to basically avoid backlog, and also in order to provide the same level of services in every single region of this country. Let me just give you an example. We have been without a judge in the Atlantic region for about two to two and a half years now.