Ex-Immigration Director Admits She Would Have Done Things Differently

Ruth Meighan

So, is there anything Director Meighan would have done differently? She acknowledged the changes made to the Department’s system since her time there and said that in hindsight, she might have taken more advantage of the resources available to her to properly vet documents. In addition, she agreed that a full audit was necessary and that most of the recommendations made in the Special Audit Report are reasonable to get the Department back on track.

Mark Lizarraga, Business Community Senator

“Having seen all that has come out, would you recommend that a full audit be done of the Department and the files?”

Ruth Meighan, Former Director of Immigration

“Certainly.”

Mark Lizarraga

Mark Lizarraga

“Certainly. So your recommendation would be done for those years and other years as well, would you say? So you agree that a full audit should be done?”

Ruth Meighan

“…I agree, yes.  I think I may have referred to it earlier, where there are certain process and overnight role that probably needs to be strengthened; in addition to that, maybe collaboration with some of our agencies in terms of vetting and verifying information. I think that would’ve helped.”

Reverend Ashley Rocke, Church Senator

“So you do agree that there were some misgivings in all of this?”

Ruth Meighan

“Based on the report that is presented, yes.  I will not say that the Auditor General is way off on anything; the recommendations are recommendations and I think that they should be viewed as recommendations; and if they are ways to strengthen the Department, then yes, I agree with the recommendations.”

The Senate hearings will continue next week and it is expected that some of the major players whose names were called in the Audit could be next on the hot seat. However, no witness names have been confirmed.