Citizenship and Immigration committee  The ministerial instructions that were initiated in 2008 as a result of a regulatory change now make it possible to prioritize applications within certain categories for processing. That, for example, is why we're able to process applications received in 2008 under the MI-1 instr

Citizenship and Immigration committee  How would I improve it?

Citizenship and Immigration committee  Perhaps I can start off, and one of my colleagues could continue. An unpredictable influx of applications can create bottlenecks. There can be a natural disaster—for example, an earthquake in Haiti--that can create a bottleneck. There can be unexpected problems with technology t

Citizenship and Immigration committee  I think we have made a great step forward in controlling the intake of applications. Backlogs develop when input exceeds output. Output is controlled by the Government of Canada and by Parliament and is a reflection of not only our capacity to process applications but also the ca

Citizenship and Immigration committee  My personal view is that I think if people choose to take advantage of this visa—we certainly will be encouraging them to do that—it will provide quite a bit of relief in the category of parents and grandparents. We are all parts of families, and we all understand that we want to

Citizenship and Immigration committee  Yes, I just want to build on the information my colleagues have already provided. You are correct that there was an ability to issue a five-year multiple-entry visa, but until recently, what officers tended to do as a first response was to issue a single entry, if that was what

Citizenship and Immigration committee  Yes, that's correct.

Citizenship and Immigration committee  I've been in the business for over 20 years, and we've had them that entire time.

Citizenship and Immigration committee  That reflects the fact that some passports are valid for 10 years.

Citizenship and Immigration committee  It was rolled out in July, yes.

Citizenship and Immigration committee  Understood. Thank you. Thank you for the invitation to appear before you today. In addressing the plan for faster immigration, I'd like to speak on the impact of the action plan on our network abroad. First allow me to provide you with a few numbers on achieving this year's imm

Citizenship and Immigration committee  Thank you very much, Mr. Chairman. What I'd like to do, if you'll permit me, is to make a few opening remarks, and then I'll be happy to turn the floor over to my colleagues and introduce them at that time.