I am so encouraged that some of the members over there are expressing their impatience, their eagerness to hear Reform's alternative proposals. I am really pleased to hear that. It pleases me to no end.
What does Reform say? Here are the positive alternatives. First, offenders should serve the full sentence for committing violent crime. Violent offenders should serve full sentences. Reform believes that Canadians' faith in the justice system needs to be restored.
We believe that violent offenders as defined by section 752 of the Criminal Code should serve their full sentences with no eligibility for parole. Our proposal makes punishing crime and protecting law-abiding citizens the top priority in our justice system.
The precise resolutions that were passed by Reformers at our assemblies over the years dealing with this issue are these. This is what Reformers, normal Canadians, have said at the assemblies and these are the resolutions they have supported which give us the policy which we build on here. This is what is in the Reform blue book, our policy book, which by the way was presented to Canadians long before the Liberals ever came out with a red book. There are some substantial differences between our blue book and the Liberal red book. The Reform blue book has our substantial policies in place. It says what we will do when we gain power and it is very clear and comprehensive, which differentiates us substantially from the red book.
The Reform Party supports the requirement that violent offenders serve their full sentence. Some violent offenders and all repeat offenders once released should be under parole supervision for the rest of their lives.
The second resolution dealing directly with this is that the Reform Party supports a judicial system which places the punishment of crime and the protection of law-abiding citizens and their property ahead of all other objectives.
If there is any one thing that differentiates Reformers from the Liberals, that is it. We clearly in our policies place as the top priority the protection of Canadian citizens. The Liberals' top priority, which we have heard again and again and too often over these last few days, is the rights of the criminals and rehabilitation of criminals.
I can understand that from the member for Kingston and the Islands. He is going to need the prison vote to get him elected next time. We know there are many prisons around Kingston. I can understand him but the others I cannot forgive. There is no excuse for it. I am sure he will get the prison vote very handily. Reformers sure will not because we believe we have to be serious with criminals.
The second thing which Reform is proposing and is related to this issue is Reform thinks that two convictions for violent crimes or sexual crimes against children is enough to prove that an offender poses a serious danger to society. Therefore we would deem that any person who commits on two separate occasions an offence causing serious personal injury, as defined under section 752 of the Criminal Code, a dangerous offender and subject to an indeterminate period of imprisonment.
Again, this came from Reformers, everyday Canadians, who care enough about this country to make changes which are going to make it a safer place to live. The Reform MPs who are working in this area have taken this policy from assembly and have built substantial policies which will make things better.
The third resolution is Reform believes that the National Parole Board must be accountable to Canadians. We believe this can be achieved by ending patronage appointments. I hear groans across the floor. I am sure some of the Liberals are counting on patronage appointments after the next election. We believe in ending patronage appointments, hiring its members on the basis of merit alone and ensuring that they answer directly to the Solicitor General of Canada. In order to fully restore confidence and reflect new accountability we will rename it the merit release board.
As the name would indicate, a person does not get early release unless they earn it. They have to earn it based on merit. That is important to note.
Reform has proposed many changes to the criminal justice system and some to the Young Offenders Act are substantial changes. It is a comprehensive package that will be tougher on young offenders. It will also look for ways, other than putting them in prison, to deter young offenders who so often offend again and again until they have formed a pattern of crime. We put forth proposals that will deal with this and hopefully end their life of crime early. That is needed.
The member for Fraser Valley West has put forth substantial and very important proposals which would give victims rights under the law. We put forth positive proposals.
I would like to close by repeating that Reformers have clearly distinguished themselves as being completely different from the Liberals. We have put forth changes that Canadians favour. Those changes when implemented-and we will get a chance pretty soon-will truly make Canada a safer place in which to live.