What they said. What they meant.

Plain-language translations from the House of Commons.

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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 ↗

Sébastien Lemire

Bloc Québécois
“I'm saying the other party is arrogant for rejecting changes that a judge recommended. The other party bought off some MPs so they have a fake majority. I want the other MP to say how she feels about this.”
Our translation 65% shorter

Christine Normandin

Bloc Québécois
“The government is shutting down debate on a bill about military justice. I'm angry they're ignoring the work of the committee and amendments we proposed. I hope they reconsider and listen to the opposition parties.”
Our translation 98% shorter

Christine Normandin

Bloc Québécois
“A famous person did a report. We agree with that report. We tried to do what it said. But the report is old. We wanted to hear from her again. The government should listen to us.”
Our translation 76% shorter

Christine Normandin

Bloc Québécois
“You're hypocrites. You stalled for 11 years. Now you ignore us and witnesses. We made reasonable requests. You think you know best. I'm sad the next three and a half years will be like this.”
Our translation 82% shorter

Martin Champoux

Bloc Québécois
“I want to speak plainly. Liberals act like this bill is trivial. They rush it. But people have waited 11 years. Liberals show no consideration for vulnerable victims. Let's pause and work together to get it right. We must respect the amendments the committee adopted.”
Our translation 76% shorter

Mario Beaulieu

Bloc Québécois
“Why won't the government let victims choose their court? I want to know why they ignored our amendments. All of us in opposition wanted this. What do you think?”
Our translation 41% shorter

Simon-Pierre Savard-Tremblay

Bloc Québécois
“I want the government to pass our amendments. I worked hard in committee with witnesses. The government should respect the work of parliamentary committees. It is undemocratic for the government to ignore our amendments and go in a different direction.”
Our translation 66% shorter

Marie-Hélène Gaudreau

Bloc Québécois
“I'm filling time with kind words and saying nothing anyone could pin down later. This bill doesn't do what it's supposed to. It's supposed to stop the military from protecting each other and ignoring complaints. But the government added a change to let the minister interfere in cases. That's not what this bill is for. I don't get it. The government has a majority, so they can do what they want. I wish they would listen to victims and change military culture instead.”
Our translation 92% shorter

Marie-Hélène Gaudreau

Bloc Québécois
“You say you're investing and helping Canada. But you cut the budget to help veterans by 15%. I don't believe you when you say you care and want to help veterans.”
Our translation 43% shorter

Marie-Hélène Gaudreau

Bloc Québécois
“The Liberals pretend to listen but they don't really care. They're hiding something and avoiding discussion. I hope they will actually consider our proposals.”
Our translation 81% shorter

Simon-Pierre Savard-Tremblay

Bloc Québécois
“I want this bill to make civilian courts handle all cases. Our Bloc compromise lets civilian courts decide which cases to keep. The government threatens our compromise. What do you think?”
Our translation 83% shorter

Marie-Hélène Gaudreau

Bloc Québécois
“You say it should go case by case. I agree with how you want it. The minister wants to ignore us and do whatever he wants. We need to change that together.”
Our translation 66% shorter

Simon-Pierre Savard-Tremblay

Bloc Québécois
“You say you want to protect victims. I agree with that intention. We all voted to study the bill. I think civilian courts know what they're doing. They might even sometimes decide a military court is better. Our amendment allowed that. Your Motion No. 5 takes that option away.”
Our translation 55% shorter

Mario Beaulieu

Bloc Québécois
“You rejected our amendments to this military bill. Was it because you didn't want to upset the military brass? We wanted an inspector general just for sexual misconduct and judges who could be veterans or leave the military.”
Our translation 58% shorter

Simon-Pierre Savard-Tremblay

Bloc Québécois
“The government is arrogant. It reversed amendments that the committee passed. It didn't have a majority then, but now it does. Now it's forcing its changes through without even letting us talk. That's outrageous!”
Our translation 80% shorter

Sébastien Lemire

Bloc Québécois
“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?”
Our translation 57% shorter

Simon-Pierre Savard-Tremblay

Bloc Québécois
“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.”
Our translation 71% shorter

Mario Beaulieu

Bloc Québécois
“The government says it wants to work with us, but then ignores everything we say. I don't like that. They should accept our amendment on sexual misconduct in the armed forces. I want my colleague to explain why they think the government isn't taking our suggestions.”
Our translation 51% shorter