Thank you, Chair.
This amendment is about one thing, and that one thing is protecting our children. We need to safeguard mandatory minimum penalties to protect our kids and our next generations.
Child pornography is not a minor offence. It is exploitation, it is abuse and it destroys lives. Those who possess it are fuelling that abuse. Those who access it are creating a demand for more victims. Canadians expect Parliament to stand with children, not with offenders.
This amendment makes it clear that for offences under subsections 163.1(4) and 163.1(4.1), there will be no loopholes and no easy constitutional challenges under section 7 or section 12 while this law is enforced. It also removes Bill C-16's safety valve for these offenders. That is the right decision.
Conservatives believe serious crimes, especially crimes against children, need serious consequences. The Liberals often talk about protecting the vulnerable. Here is their chance to prove it. Will they stand with victims and families? Will they stand with law enforcement trying to stop predators, or will they protect offenders with more legal escape routes?
This amendment sends a strong message that if you exploit children, there will be consequences. We need to safeguard mandatory minimum penalties to protect our kids. I disagree with Mr. Housefather's saying we bring in a notwithstanding clause every single time. We are protecting our kids and sending a strong message to the predators that they cannot get away with these heinous crimes.
If you consume these materials, there will be accountability. We must put our children first. Their safety matters more than the comfort of criminals. Conservatives will always fight to stop crime of any kind. We will always defend victims, and we will always stand up for our children.
I support this amendment, and I urge all the members to support this amendment as well.
Thank you.