Mr. Chair, I think it's important to point out that all my votes so far have been to send a message, I hope, to the government that not everything works like clockwork in terms of how hostage-taking is handled. Once again, I thank Ms. Lantsman for bringing this issue to the attention of the House and sparking a debate that I think is extremely healthy and salutary.
However, I share Mr. Oliphant's view that the bill is complex and suffers from significant shortcomings. I will therefore be voting against section 21, the wording of which has been retained.
I will probably vote against other provisions, depending on the outcome of the votes on the amendments that will be proposed. However, I want to make it clear that, in the end, even if Ms. Lantsman's bill is not adopted by this committee, it is imperative that the government heed the message sent to it by the opposition political parties, which represent—perhaps needless to say, but I think it is sometimes worthwhile—the majority of the population.
As a result, I hope that, whatever the content of the report on the bill that the committee will present to the House—I don't want to presume the outcome of the study of this bill—and whatever happens, the government understands that everything can't simply continue notwithstanding.
Changes are going to have to be made in the way things are done, in order to take into account the concerns that have been expressed by Ms. Lantsman, by some of the witnesses and by the MPs who have spoken during the study, whether in the House or in committee.
Thank you, Mr. Chair