Citizenship and Immigration committee  No, sir. There was no unusual number of absences on the part of the existing members. There are always a few who are not available, for one reason or another, but not unusual numbers.

Citizenship and Immigration committee  I'm sorry, sir. I really don't know, only because we've been concentrating on the refugee protection side. But we could get you that information.

Citizenship and Immigration committee  Sorry, sir, we'll have to get that for you. We don't have it with us right at this point.

Citizenship and Immigration committee  If I may, Mr. Chairman, at this point it's approximately 14 months.

Citizenship and Immigration committee  Sir, in the refugee protection division it's about 26,000.

Citizenship and Immigration committee  In the refugee protection division we are short 45.

Citizenship and Immigration committee  I believe, sir, we're short 10 in the immigration appeal division.

Citizenship and Immigration committee  I'll go first. Mr. Chairman, I was appointed to the Immigration and Refugee Board in June 2004. I applied for the position in January 2002. It went through a series of checks, I would say. My application was first vetted against criteria, I understand, and I was informed that it

Citizenship and Immigration committee  Mr. Chairman, I'll start off by answering that I am learning French. My office is fully bilingual. All instructions or directions that have to be issued are issued in both languages. I have every desire and plan to learn French. With respect to meeting with the partners or stake

Citizenship and Immigration committee  Sir, we have already started to take some action. We have undertaken an initiative in our western region, which we call an integrated approach to dealing with hearings. What this means is that we have cross-appointed members from our immigration appeal division as well as our ref

Citizenship and Immigration committee  Sir, I have to say that the pressing issues are that we do not wish to see the backlog grow again. We wish to make decisions as efficiently and effectively as we can. Essentially, that's the objective. If I was to mention the top concern, that would be it.

Citizenship and Immigration committee  Okay, sir, I'll begin.

Citizenship and Immigration committee  I came to Canada in 1968 at the age of 18 as a landed immigrant. I attended high school in Guelph, Ontario, where I completed my grade 13. I completed my bachelor's degree from the University of Guelph and I worked as a correctional officer with the Ontario Ministry of Correction

Citizenship and Immigration committee  Thank you. This, Mr. Chairman, is a part of my statement with respect to myself. I have submitted my CV, which I presume the members have. If they have any questions about any of it, I'd be happy to answer.