A bill to make assaulting health care workers and first responders an aggravating factor in sentencing. MPs mostly repeated that the bill should not be controversial and thanked each other for supporting it.
“Violence against health care workers is wrong. It's not part of the job. The law should protect nurses and first responders with real consequences when they're assaulted on duty. Politicians shouldn't just give speeches - we need to pass Bill S-233 now to show we're serious.”
“I want to look like I support this bill. I talk a lot about how good it is. I also hint that our government's other bill C-14 is similar. I spend more time talking about C-14 than this bill. I'm filling time with kind words and saying nothing anyone could pin down later.”
“I want to say I support this bill. I talk about how it's been debated many times before. I use this to hint that the government can't get things done. I want to look like I care about this issue more than the government does. The real solution is to spend more money on healthcare. I call for transfer payments to Quebec to be increased from 22% to 35%. Civilians assaulting nurses is bad, but the bigger problem is underfunding.”
“I want to look frustrated about the slow pace of Parliament. I try to compare it to being a firefighter, but fires and bills are very different things. I say my bill from last month didn't pass because of prorogation delays. I want you to feel this bill is urgently needed and overdue. I list many headlines of assaults on first responders. I say a repeat offender stabbed a police officer. I hint the justice system is too soft. The real problem is failed Liberal bail reform. I demand a new law to punish assaults on first responders more. This will send a message that violence is not part of their job. Assaults on first responders wear them down and drive them out of the profession. We have shortages. I want a deterrent against normalizing violence. Passing this bill says Parliament supports frontline workers.”
“Canadians expect us to protect first responders. The last government did not do enough. My friend worked hard on this bill to help them. They sacrifice to serve us. This bill says we value them. I tell an emotional story about first responders saving a life. I say this bill would boost morale and show we appreciate all they do. I hope the other side passes it soon.”
“I'm filling time with kind words and saying nothing anyone could pin down later. I want this bill to pass so the government can claim it is helping health care workers. If I talk a lot maybe it will make me look good.”
“I'm thanking these two members to look good. I'm stalling for time until everyone settles down. I'm filling time with kind words and saying nothing anyone could pin down later.”
“I want Bill S-233 to pass. I thank some MPs and Senators. I've worked on this for 7 years. First responders face violence. The bill was studied twice. It was born of a report. The House must pass it now to protect them. I carry a coin that inspires me.”
