Discussion · Government Orders
David McGuinty Liberal
“This bill makes several big changes. It gives civilian police and courts the power to investigate and prosecute sexual crimes in Canada, not the military. It creates an officer to support victims when cases are transferred. It also makes key military justice officials more independent.”
“Mr. Speaker, it gives me an opportunity to talk a little more about what is in the bill. We would be codifying in law that the Canadian Armed Forces no longer have jurisdiction over Criminal Code sexual offences committed in Canada. We would be codifying in law that civilian authorities have exclusive jurisdiction for investigating and prosecuting these Criminal Code sexual offences committed in Canada. We would be establishing a victim liaison officer to be provided to victims throughout the transfer of cases, regardless of jurisdiction. We would be elevating the role of key justice actors to increase their independence, among other fundamental changes, which I know my colleague, as a lawyer, understands would be important in strengthening not only that justice be seen to be done, but that it actually be done.”
Mr. Speaker, it gives me an opportunity to talk a little more about what is in the bill. We would be codifying in law that the Canadian Armed Forces no longer have jurisdiction over Criminal Code sexual offences committed in Canada. We would be codifying in law that civilian authorities have exclusive jurisdiction for investigating and prosecuting these Criminal Code sexual offences committed in Canada. We would be establishing a victim liaison officer to be provided to victims throughout the transfer of cases, regardless of jurisdiction. We would be elevating the role of key justice actors to increase their independence, among other fundamental changes, which I know my colleague, as a lawyer, understands would be important in strengthening not only that justice be seen to be done, but that it actually be done.