Mr. Chair, that has a considerable impact on the principle that, in the armed forces or in any other professional body that has responsibility for a person, people are not motivated to be there by potential consequences. In this case, we are talking about the consequences for people who will be victims of the actions of the person for whom they have responsibility. What is more, this point is made after the fact, not before it.
I do not understand why the government is so bent on not including it. We are proving very clearly, with everything that has been put on the table today, my experience and that of other people, that there is a genuine danger in applying this in the field, from both a legal and practical standpoint. In fact, this sends a strange message. If a person for whom you are responsible escapes, he may or may not be punished, but, as the individual responsible for that person, you will definitely be punished, and very seriously. I do not see the point.
This is not a matter of troop motivation. Their actions are not shaped by the thought that they will wind up in prison if they do not act properly. I do not understand the logic behind this. We are all in favour of the Canadian Forces wanting to have an appropriate management tool. We all agree that certain actions are absolutely intolerable. In this case, it is much more a matter of the management principle or of negligence. There are other equally effective tools that can help. I would think that the attitude would be to help improve the way the troops function. There is the stick, but there is also the carrot. In this case, we are talking about a stick that is virtually a bazooka. It really sends a strange message.
I used to belong to the armed forces, and this is honestly the first time I have heard this point discussed. If I had known about it, I would definitely have had the opportunity to discuss it, particularly since I worked in intelligence. I would have made people understand that this has a direct impact on motivation. As I mentioned earlier, in the relationship between the incarcerated individual who is under your responsibility and you, the danger lies in knowing that you will be punished to a greater degree.
There are consequences even in the civilian correctional system, but there are other provisions. If an employee is negligent, his negligence will have consequences. He may receive an administrative sanction, which is virtually equivalent in the civil system, depending on the consequences. However, when events become very serious, investigations will often be conducted, and the individual will wind up with a criminal record and lose his job.
In this case, that will become automatic. This sends a strange message and has a direct impact on people's motivation. They are there for the right reasons. All the military members I have ever met, when I was a reservist and on other occasions, were all very proud of the work they did. They never did it so that they could be punished harshly.
I do not see why the government is prepared to add this. What is the cost, if it is only to improve this point? The arguments have been laid on the table.
Thank you.