Mr. Chair, I thank my colleague for his comments. I appreciate his efforts to arrive at legislation that is even more impeccable. However, I cannot agree with him. I have some points to bring to my colleagues' attention.
First, in my opinion, we have to distinguish between attempting to clarify and attempting to restrict. An attempt to clarify involves wanting to make the understanding of certain concepts clearer. However, clarification can end up restricting the scope of a provision. I see restrictive elements here. That is why I cannot support my colleague's attempt to amend the bill.
Moreover, the notion of affiliation has been interpreted by tribunals that specialize in labour law. So there is rich and abundant case law to guide the specialized tribunal in charge of implementing the legislation.
Something else is important for the notion of affiliation, in the light of what I have just said. Let us not forget that not only representatives of a number of informal associations, but also members of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, have expressed the desire for an independent entity, if unionization takes place. True, we have heard from the United Steelworkers, who came to express their point of view, but I have not heard either members of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, or senior management, or members of the public, expressing any support for the case they were making.
However, I have heard a lot of testimony about the specific, unique and distinct nature of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police. A number of community organizations, as well as the Royal Canadian Mounted Police leadership, have made reference to the RCMP's paramilitary nature, a nature that is unique in our society.
In the light of those facts, let me simply give you one concrete example. The Royal Canadian Mounted Police is called upon to respond in order to keep the peace and maintain order, as well as to stop individuals from committing certain actions. It may have to use force. In this, we were guided by the consideration that police officers must not find themselves in a position of conflicting loyalties or interests, or that any possibility of reprisals be involved. That could be the case with an affiliation or attachment to any organization whatsoever, and from the fact that they took action because their superiors ordered them to do so. They are in a paramilitary situation where they must obey and follow the orders they have been given. Therefore, they must not be subject to any other authority.
For those reasons, I cannot support the proposed amendment.
Thank you.