Thank you, Mr. Chair. I'll speak to the title of the bill.
Mr. Chair, I'm very disappointed. The member opposite talked about the partisanship that goes on in the House. Whether it's the Canadian Bar Association or many of the other organizations that appeared in front of this committee, surely they have members from all parties as part of their organizations. They offered some very valid reasons to make amendments to improve this particular bill, as did we in the official opposition, as did the third party.
I'm not a lawyer myself, but legislation can be very complex. It has far-reaching consequences if it's not carefully vetted by experts, academics, or lawyers. It has far-reaching consequences, as we've heard from many witnesses at this committee.
It's very disappointing that not even one amendment.... You know, you'd think maybe a crazy idea would come from the opposition, or a valid reason come from a non-partisan group such as the Canadian Bar Association. They offered many amendments. Other people who appeared in front of the committee offered some valid reasons to make amendments.
I'm very disappointed that this government, and I've seen it over and over, refuses to accept any sort of valid minor or major amendment to legislation. It makes me think that maybe.... Is it only Conservatives who can frame legislation? There are other people, non-partisan people, in this country. They may be Conservatives. We heard from many witnesses, and my colleagues laid out very valid points in regard to some of the amendments we have offered.
Mr. Chair, I won't be long here. I'm just very disappointed that not a single amendment from non-partisan groups who appeared in front of the committee, and there were other submissions made as well, and not one amendment from the opposition was accepted. That's a travesty. I don't feel good about this.
Thank you, Mr. Chair.
