What they said. What they meant.

Plain-language translations from the House of Commons.

Recent debates

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Government Orders

Report Stage

A bill to modernize the military justice system, including changes to appointments, removing jurisdiction for sexual offences, and expanding the class of persons eligible to be military judges. During debate, the Conservatives argued the bill doesn't go far enough, the Liberals defended it as an important step, and both sides discussed the importance of believing and empowering victims. Some time was spent on tangents about the House majority and military funding.

Official Hansard ↗

Melissa Lantsman

Conservative
“I worked hard to improve this bill in committee. Now it looks like the government might ignore all our changes and just pass the original version instead. That would skip all the amendments we passed to help survivors and make the accountability system stronger. I want the government to change its mind and accept our improvements. This isn't about making life better for politicians, it's about making life better for the people who serve in the military.”
Our translation 82% shorter

Melissa Lantsman

Conservative
“I want people in the military to know that the other party is rejecting changes to the bill that military members and victims asked for. The Liberals are ignoring the amendments that their own members made in committee. The judge who wrote the report didn't even show up to the committee. The Liberals waited 11 years to make these changes. Now they're ignoring what the House and the military wants.”
Our translation 36% shorter

Melissa Lantsman

Conservative
“The other party is acting too bossy and controlling with their fake majority. Canadians will notice this pattern.”
Our translation 77% shorter

Melissa Lantsman

Conservative
“The other party is bad. I claim they don't really support our military. I'm angry and want more changes to the bill.”
Our translation 74% shorter

Fraser Tolmie

Conservative
“I'm sad the government isn't listening to our work. I want the minister to listen to victims and the committee.”
Our translation 98% shorter

Fraser Tolmie

Conservative
“The other member had no question. I'll give you an answer anyway. Liberals say how many apply, not how many are helped. They say nothing on the military's failure rate. They fail women who faced tragedy in the forces.”
Our translation 59% shorter

Fraser Tolmie

Conservative
“I agree completely. Victims feel ignored. Liberals ignore the committee's hard work and the victims' pleas. That is wrong. We must fix this bill carefully before it passes.”
Our translation 59% shorter

Dalwinder Gill

Conservative
“I want victims to have a choice between military or civilian courts. That matters a lot. Can you tell us why?”
Our translation 40% shorter

Fraser Tolmie

Conservative
“Traumatized victims need to feel safe. They want options. Liberals are ignoring them and shutting them out. We must let victims be heard.”
Our translation 76% shorter

Shelby Kramp-Neuman

Conservative
“Bill C-11 should give military sexual assault victims more choices. But after months of work and testimony, the government used its new majority to undo all the bipartisan amendments we agreed on at committee. They completely gutted the bill we worked so hard on together. It's a slap in the face to all the brave survivors who came forward to share their painful stories. The government asked them to come testify, pretended to listen, and then threw all their work in the trash. It's shameful.”
Our translation 94% shorter

Shelby Kramp-Neuman

Conservative
“I don't like that you're bringing up old reports to question this bill. The person you keep quoting didn't show up when we asked her to our committee. I want to talk about helping victims today, not that old stuff.”
Our translation 58% shorter

Shelby Kramp-Neuman

Conservative
“We have to pass this bill. Military victims need the changes in this bill. The committee was working together but then they stopped. Why did they stop? The government needs to do better for victims.”
Our translation 68% shorter

Jeff Kibble

Conservative
“Most military sexual misconduct cases won't go to the civilian justice system. The civilian system can only handle a few cases anyway. That could make the military's culture worse. Predators might get a free pass.”
Our translation 57% shorter

Shelby Kramp-Neuman

Conservative
“I want to debate this bill longer. I don't like how the government is rushing it. We should listen to survivors and concerns more. The government is ignoring testimony. That's not good.”
Our translation 65% shorter

Alex Ruff

Conservative
“This bill would take away choices from victims. The military police are doing a good job now. The government should not change that.”
Our translation 98% shorter

Alex Ruff

Conservative
“I don't want to do what Justice Arbour recommended. The military police fixed it. We don't need her. The bill of rights is gone but we have a resource centre now. Things have changed. Using Bill C-11 would help. This transfer is wrong.”
Our translation 73% shorter

Alex Ruff

Conservative
“The government should accept our committee's amendments. We heard from many witnesses. The government is making a mistake by ignoring our recommendations. This bill is about helping victims. It's not fair to victims if the government goes in a different direction from our committee's hard work.”
Our translation 70% shorter

Harb Gill

Conservative
“I'm skeptical this will work. The civilian and military systems are too different. Civilian police need clear evidence. Sexual assaults are already underreported. Sending cases between civilian and military police could make things worse. If there's a mistake, who will be held responsible? The civilian side or the military side? The bill needs to answer these practical questions.”
Our translation 44% shorter

Alex Ruff

Conservative
“Harb asked a good question. This bill won't hold anyone accountable. It just passes the buck from the military to the civilian police. Civilians already have a high bar for evidence. Adding military cases will make it worse. Victims won't get justice. We'll end up fixing this mistake in a few years. This bill dodges responsibility.”
Our translation 55% shorter

Dave Epp

Conservative
“I want to cheer that my side and the Bloc made amendments together. But I'm upset the government is ignoring the victims and all our hard work. Why won't the government listen to us?”
Our translation 66% shorter