“Thanks for the history lesson. But let's be real, I'm just using this question to complain about floor-crossers. I want you to know I don't like it when politicians switch teams and then get put on important committees. That doesn't seem right to me.”
What they said. What they meant.
Plain-language translations from the House of Commons.
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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.
“I don't like that the Liberals put the floor crossers next to the Prime Minister. It's like they're showing off a prize. Those floor crossers have no shame, just like the Liberals.”
“I'm repeating nice-sounding words about the military and sexual assault legislation. I want the government to listen to victims and give them choices. I don't like that the government is rushing this bill.”
“I'm acting like my bill must be good because a smart person wrote it. I think it's critical to take away choice from victims. I'm inventing a story about my opponents flip-flopping to make them look bad.”
“I'm saying the bill is all about giving back choice to victims. I want a justice system where victims can decide where to take their case. They should be able to choose where they feel safest and most supported. But the government's proposal would take away that choice and force all victims into the civilian system. That's going to break trust with the people we're asking to come forward. We need to do this right, not just rush it through quickly.”
“I want my colleague to say whether she thinks this will hurt the government's reputation. They ignored the voices of the people we're supposed to be helping. The opposition tried to help, but the government rejected our ideas. What message does that send to the people who served our country?”
“I'm upset the government isn't listening to veterans. Veterans should get to decide where their case is heard. The government shouldn't make that choice for them. Conservatives will stand up for veterans' right to choose.”
“The government isn't taking this seriously. Veterans watching this debate won't think the government will take their complaints seriously. Future soldiers and their families will worry they won't be heard.”
“That's a good question. Veterans have talked to us. They want us to listen. We need to show we care. Then they will keep talking to us.”
“You keep asking the same thing. You talk about one report. There are a lot of reports. Why do you ignore the rest? Tell me about that.”
“Nobody can tell what's going on. You have a manufactured majority. The Arbour report is old news. The military says it's moved on. We need current information to reform the system, not old talking points.”
“I don't like that the government ignored the committee's advice on this bill. They're pushing military sexual assault cases onto civilian courts without the resources they need. They aren't listening to the experts or increasing the independence of the military justice system. If they don't support the committee's amendments, they'll lose my vote.”
“This bill spends more money on the military. It will help victims in the military. The provinces should do more to make sure prosecutions work.”
“I want to support the military too. The government took too long. Now we need to try something else to help military people.”
“I want to cheer for the committee's work. I worked with other parties. But now I'm afraid the government will ignore that work since it's not a minority anymore. The government said it would collaborate but now it's limiting debate on this bill.”
“I'm frustrated. The government could let us all work together to make the bill better. But instead it's using its majority to ignore the committee's work.”
“I think the Liberals should listen to what the military justice experts, veterans, and survivors of military sexual trauma told our committee. We heard from these people directly, and they don't want these changes. The current system isn't delivering justice and there's no accountability. The Liberals need to stop hiding behind one report and start paying attention to what we're learning in committee.”
“The defence minister should listen to people more. Maybe then we could have avoided the mistakes in this bill.”
“I want the government to listen to the committee's work and protect victims of sexual violence. The government should not undo the collaborative efforts made in a minority parliament.”
“I'm filling time with kind words and saying nothing anyone could pin down later. I want my party to get credit for the government's spending.”