I generally operate from the principle that justice delayed is justice denied. I think if it's applicable outside there, it's even more applicable inside the military community. Any offence or any allegation of any offence has significant implications, not only for the soldier and his or her family, but also for, if you will, the extended military family. I preface my observation with that kind of caveat. If justice delayed is justice denied out there, it's really justice delayed is justice denied if it's not dealt with expeditiously inside the military culture.
As I would understand it, the starting point for the NDP and the government's amendments is the day of the offence, so that the charge has to be laid within six months of the offence date. But then the government gives itself, in effect, one year from the charge date to deal with the matter, whereas the NDP amendment basically is that the 12 months start running from the day of the offence.
In some respects, the government's position is more precise, but it's a longer timeframe. Am I understanding it correctly, therefore, that effectively from day one to the end of the day, the NDP amendment covers off 12 months and the government's position is 18 months. Is that fair?