You've given a good summary of my position. Bill C-60 offers no major difficulties for me. It timidly addresses a few other aspects that are part of the Trépanier decision, in which reference was made to the late Mr. Justice Lamer, who had suggested simplifying courts martial. Here we find that suggestion, and I think that's a good thing. The judge also recommended, five years ago now, that there be a permanent military court. There is no court. There is no military court anywhere here in Ottawa.
If we establish a court martial today to judge an accused, a judge is then appointed and a court is convened, but it dissolves as soon as the trial is over. Before a trial is held, before the judge is sworn in, before the accused appears before the court, there is no court. Five years ago, Mr. Justice Lamer said that there should be a permanent military court.
There should also be a court of record. What does that entail? That definitely entails some minor expenses here and there, but the word is there.
With this bill, we're putting three toes in the water and saying that we're going to give a military judge, or a number of them, the power to hear pre-trial motions. This is a step in the right direction. Mr. Justice Lamer proposed it, but he went further than that. Mr. Justice Lamer also proposed that a task force be established to study what that would entail, what it would cost and what the problems would be. I can't speak for Mr. Justice Lamer, but I can certainly approve the wisdom of his recommendation with all the vigour I can summon. Why don't we find it here or in Bill C-45?