Citizenship and Immigration committee  Iraqis as a whole are very adaptable people, and for the Christians in particular, their religion has an impact on them of making them even more adaptable. Integration into the society for Iraqis is not difficult at all. Of course there is some hardship. There is nothing easy in this life, but if there is a will, people will go for it.

Citizenship and Immigration committee  You are asking about the criteria. I'm not really fully familiar with immigration law in this country. It's only a proposal I make, having known the situation, when I propose 20,000 a year. I am not aware of the criteria. Of course, as you mentioned, the Liberals and you people, the Conservatives....

Citizenship and Immigration committee  This is a well-known fact. When somebody comes to Canada or emigrates to anywhere else in the world, they have to join the labour force of that country and contribute to the well-being of that country, and they have to assimilate with that country--to the laws, regulations, and the life of that country.

Citizenship and Immigration committee  If I may interject in that respect, of course not everybody wants to come to Canada.

Citizenship and Immigration committee  We will take those people who are in true danger, people who are vulnerable, people whose lives are in danger, and people who are willing to come and assimilate into the society and become Canadians. If somebody wants to immigrate, we are not going to just bring that person. No, this is not the issue.

Citizenship and Immigration committee  Sir, let me explain to you and to the members present. At the beginning of the 20th century, the Christians in Iraq didn't have a problem. In fact, they were part of society, well accepted, and treated like everybody else. I am an example of that. I had a scholarship from the Iraqi government to study in the United States and then go back.

Citizenship and Immigration committee  If I talk about the Christians, the Christians of course were, as I mentioned in my speech, the original inhabitants of that land. They have a very rich history in that country. They love that country, and none of them want to leave, but the situation has become so difficult, in fact unbearable, that their lives have become endangered, and people are afraid to continue being there.

Citizenship and Immigration committee  They are willing to help. As far as I know, they are willing to help those people who they feel are in danger. And as I mentioned, I would really recommend and request that you allow the churches here to sponsor, through the immigration office, those people, not necessarily only Christians.

Citizenship and Immigration committee  Honourable members of Parliament, bonjour , mesdames et messieurs. After the fall of Saddam Hussein in 2003, people around the world were expecting Iraq to become a democratic and prosperous country in the Middle East. After five years, the reality is simply the opposite. The country is almost divided; lawlessness, anarchy, and chaos are everywhere.