Thank you, Mr. Chair.
As my colleagues have mentioned, the decision by the Supreme Court of Canada to remove the mandatory minimum sentences for offences related to child sexual exploitation is absolutely disgusting. The court ruled that a minimum one-year sentence for these offenders is “cruel and unusual.” The things that are cruel and unusual are the horrific and damaging acts that these offenders commit against children.
Child sexual exploitation leaves deep, lasting psychological and emotional wounds that can shape the rest of their lives. As parliamentarians, we have the utmost duty to protect innocent Canadians, especially children. That is why this committee must call on the Liberal government to invoke the notwithstanding clause to overturn the Supreme Court's disturbing decision and to reinstate mandatory minimum sentences for child sexual exploitation.
The call to use the notwithstanding clause in this case is not a partisan idea. It is supported by leaders from across the political spectrum at both the federal and the provincial levels. They agree that protecting children and not offenders must be our priority.
With this level of support, this committee must do its part. We must pass this motion and urge the government to act, to make it clear that Canada will always defend our children. Canadians across the country are watching and waiting for Parliament to step up. We hope the government will not stand in the way of the majority of Canadians and will choose to defend our children and not those who exploit them.
Thank you, Chair.