Mr. Speaker, it is true that, in Port-Cartier, relations are much improved between management, employees and the union. It is also true, however, that this motion is six months old and that the events it refers to took place six months ago.
What I like about this motion is that it allows us to discuss the judicial system as a whole, a system that I question. Canadians pay high taxes. Fathers with working children like myself are still paying school taxes, and I am happy to do so because we have a responsibility to pay for the education of our children and grandchildren. It is our civic duty.
While we have a responsibility to pay taxes, a reasonable quality of life and a safe environment must be provided for our children and our families. It is the government's responsibility to protect society.
When I see the justice system releasing inmates before they have served their full sentence, when I see that it takes years for cases to get to trial and then they are dropped for lack of a case, I tell myself that we are not fulfilling our mandate of protecting society.
The notion is promoted, and the public, whose tax bill is high, is told “You pay your taxes to have a good quality of life; we are looking after the public, those who are ill, children, seniors, the disabled, the mentally ill, and hoodlums as well”.
But they must be looked after in such a way that our society can again live in freedom, that people are not afraid to go out at night. I therefore call on the government to overhaul the entire justice system. When it does that, it will be serving decent folk.
In my riding I have seen people whose lives were changed by crimes, such as a child or woman who has been raped. These people will be marked forever. We cannot ignore these problems. The system must be reformed and our society protected.
I call on the government to examine the justice system, which is now in need of reform.