Mr. Chair, I think we need to consider whether or not this motion is even in order. The bill is aptly named “ending sentence discounts for multiple murderers”.
What the government has proposed to do is allow the discretion to a trial judge to give a period of 25 years of parole ineligibility for each and every conviction of first-degree murder.
Mr. Murphy is attempting—and I say this with all deference because I think his amendment is well intentioned—to allow some sort of prorated discount, whereas on a subsequent conviction for first-degree murder, for example, a trier of facts who is so disposed could give half of the 25 years of parole ineligibility, or one year, or 23 years, or anything in between. I think that is a sentencing discount, and I think that is counter to the express objectives of the bill. I'd ask you to consider it out of order.