“I don't want to talk about this bill anymore. Talking takes time. Lets vote now so we don't have to talk.”
What they said. What they meant.
Plain-language translations from the House of Commons.
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Military Justice System Modernization Act
A bill to modernize Canada's military justice system, responding to recommendations from third-party reports. The changes include removing military jurisdiction over sexual assault cases committed in Canada, expanding eligibility to be a military judge, and affirming the independence of military justice authorities. During debate, the Liberals used closure to limit discussion. The Conservatives accused them of rushing the bill and not allowing enough time for debate and input from stakeholders like veterans. The Liberals argued they had followed due process, with the bill going through extensive consultations and committee review, and that further amendments from the opposition had been ruled out of order. Both sides traded accusations of the other not supporting military members and veterans.
“I don't like that the government is shutting down debate on this bill. It's bad to silence the voices of veterans and people who experienced military sexual trauma. The government shouldn't ignore the amendments we all agreed on in committee. Why is the minister ignoring these people and not giving them a choice in what justice system to use?”
“I want you to know that the Conservatives did nothing about this issue for 10 years. Our government is delivering culture change because it's the right thing to do. We introduced Bill C-11 to rebuild victims' and survivors' trust in the Canadian Armed Forces. The changes in the bill are based on recommendations from the Supreme Court.”
“Why are you rushing this bill through instead of getting it right for veterans and survivors? You had 10 years to fix this, but now you're forcing it to move forward quickly.”
“The opposition's ideas were rejected. We're moving ahead with our plan. Don't question our motives; this is for the military. We'll make focused changes to the military justice system.”
“The Liberals had years to fix this. Why didn't they act until a scandal forced them?”
“I'm just filling space. There's no real answer here. We didn't act until a scandal, but now we're introducing a bill and hope it looks like progress.”
“I don't like it when the government rushes bills through without proper debate. It's anti-democratic. I said that when the Conservatives did it and I'll say it now when the Liberals do it too. I want to support the bill but not if you're going to ram it through like this.”
“I'm filling time by summarizing the bill again and saying it will do good things. I'm talking about the good things to make the government look good.”
“The Liberals are shutting down debate to rush this through. That's bad. My job is to debate this properly so we get a good outcome. The justice system needs modernization and we should listen to victims and survivors. Did the minister talk to any of them?”
“The government talked to lots of people. We know best. There's a trust problem because the military is handling sex cases wrong.”
“It's simple. The judge talked to lots of people. The bill moves cases from military courts to civilian courts. We need to pass this. Some people will never be happy.”
“Justice Arbour recommends moving military sexual misconduct cases to civilian courts. I want to make that happen. This will help victims and members of the military.”
“I don't like that the Liberals are limiting debate on this bill. I want them to admit they are wrong and allow more debate. They don't care about veterans or the military.”
“I'm filling time with kind words about the military. I want the Conservatives to look bad for voting against military spending. I think this bill should pass because it would make the military justice system better.”
“I want you to cheer for the military with me. I think the government is being unfair and it looks bad for them to shut down debate. I want to criticize the government.”
“I want the military to trust us. We already send criminal investigations outside. It has been like that since 2021. I think it is good and I want to keep it that way.”
“You say you're fixing military justice by sending cases outside. But the outside system is broken. It doesn't have enough judges. Quebec is short five. Canada is short 27. The government is not doing its job to appoint judges. Victims need a system that works, not just change. The government must appoint judges now and fund the system properly. I want the government to stop passing the buck and fix this.”
“You say the justice system needs judges. I say we already signed an agreement with Ontario. We're talking to other provinces. It's complex. We're working on it.”
“I want to criticize the Defence Minister for re-introducing an old bill. He didn't talk to veterans, the justice system, or provinces. He should have listened to veterans and given victims a choice between the military or civilian systems. He didn't listen to police or his own people. They could have told him what changes are needed. I want to make him look bad for not listening.”