Thank you very much, Mr. Chair.
This NDP amendment reflects concerns raised by a range of experts and stakeholders about the Liberals' reinstatement of mandatory minimums, which have repeatedly been struck down by the courts for violating charter rights. This change would ensure that Bill C-16's safety valve would include the Gladue principles in order to consider non-carceral options for indigenous people and the protection of their charter rights in all cases.
This would mean aligning this legislation with the government's commitment to implementing call to action 32 of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission and to upholding equality for those overrepresented in prisons, including racialized people, victims and survivors of abuse, and those dealing with mental health and addiction issues.
This committee has heard from several legal experts who have recommended amendments to broaden the safety valve in Bill C-16, including the National Association of Women and the Law, the Women's Legal Education and Action Fund, the Canadian Bar Association and Quebec's bar association.
Elected representatives have a duty to uphold our charter and our commitments to reconciliation, so I strongly urge my colleagues to follow the recommendations of legal experts and vote in favour of this amendment.