“This should not be a partisan issue. Why did the Liberals reject every change to this bill suggested by all three opposition parties? They need to work with us instead of acting like only they have the truth.”

“Mr. Speaker, my colleague is quite correct to say that this is not, and must never become, a partisan issue. I would like to ask her a question that touches a bit on the topic discussed by my Conservative colleague earlier. Can my colleague explain why, after the Liberal government became a majority, it scrapped every amendment proposed by the Bloc Québécois, the Conservative Party and the NDP? To me, things seem to be taking a partisan turn. In any case, if not partisan, it is strange. Does this mean that the Liberal government has a corner on the truth and does not need to work in collaboration with the opposition parties?”

“Victims of military sexual misconduct asked us for more protection. All the opposition parties voted to change this bill to protect them better. The government used its power to block those changes. I do not understand how the member can face those victims now.”

“Mr. Speaker, I thank my colleague for her speech. I know she is very passionate about this issue. She is standing up for women who have been victims of sexual misconduct while serving in the military. Bill C‑11 addresses many of the recommendations in Louise Arbour’s report. Honestly, what surprises me is that some victims appeared before the committee during its study, and the victims themselves were asking for more protection. As a result, the Bloc Québécois, the Conservatives and the NDP all introduced amendments, which were adopted based on the victims’ evidence. However, because of its majority in the House, the government rejected them. I do not know how the member can face any of those victims, who must be disappointed today.”

“We voted to give victims of military crimes a choice, but the government removed that change after making private deals. I want to know what my colleague thinks about the government ignoring what victims asked for.”

“Mr. Speaker, I would like to congratulate my colleague on his meticulousness and excellent work, as well as on his insightful analysis of the work of the parliamentary secretary across the way. I would like to hear my colleague’s comments. I hear him talking about the amendment that was intended to give victims a choice. We hear a lot of talk in Parliament about the need to consider victims and ensure they receive support and care. We had voted to uphold a request from victims, namely to have a choice, and the government unilaterally removed that provision after securing a majority, through backroom deals to boot. I would like my colleague to respond to that. Does he not think there is a danger or a shift on the part of the Liberal Party, which believes it has a monopoly on the truth?”