When we spoke last, you referenced Bill C-16. I want to start by identifying what I hope is some common ground on a very important issue. I'm hearing about it all the time. As a Canadian, as a concerned citizen and as a parent, I think it is very important that we get our arms around this thing. I, along with my colleagues and, I think, uniformly with members of the government caucus, support banning deepfakes of intimate partners. This especially protects women from non-consensual intimate images being created and shared online. We think there should be mandatory reporting of child sexual abuse material because this is going to help keep our children safe. We have agreement on that. This is included in Bill C-16.
Also included in Bill C-16 are provisions that deal with something that your government would know the official opposition does not support. Specifically, that is a provision that allows judges to ignore mandatory prison sentences for serious crimes like human trafficking, aggravated sexual assault with a gun and violent firearms offences.
We have an issue that we know we don't agree on, and we have an issue that we know we agree on.
Minister, this is a really important time for our country. I'm looking to see if, in the spirit of collaboration, you would say, “Yes, we agree on the things that we agree on. Let's split this bill.” The government can find another dance partner on the provisions that the official opposition disagrees with. Let's deal with what we could probably pass unanimously in the House to protect vulnerable people, to protect victims and to ensure their dignity. Would you support splitting Bill C-16?