Thank you for that clarification. I know this bill is very important and we want to make sure there is absolutely no equivocation and that this bill does proceed in the direction it so clearly deserves to go in.
I do not think this bill is about vengeance. I do not think this bill is about retribution. I do not believe this bill was born out of some idea of vindictiveness. I believe rather that this bill has everything to do with the value we in this House and we as Canadians place on human life.
The bill itself, as I suggested earlier, comes from an evolution of a number of thoughts that have been brought forth. It is easy to talk about the Clifford Olsons of this world, the Paul Bernardos, the Denis Lorties, but I think we need to look at something a little more substantial about the role of the victim in terms of the system that currently exists.
As I indicated earlier, the status quo is not acceptable. My hon. colleague from Whitby—Ajax indicated that second degree murderers sentenced to life are released after less than 12 years. The median for first degree murderers is only 14 years.
I do not believe anybody in their right state of mind would accept that a human life is only worth such a trivial time behind bars. It is for this reason that I believe there is an opportunity for us as members of parliament to recognize the great gulf that exists between common sense, the view of the public, the view of so many legalists who have pronounced themselves on this.
In terms of ensuring that we have a sentencing system that reflects the seriousness of the crimes that are committed, it seems only reasonable that if you commit one murder, one rape, one assault you should serve the time for each.
It is not a question of simply the trite statement if you can't do the time, don't do the crime. It is rather a question of ensuring that an offence against an innocent human being is treated adequately and appropriately. In that context there is no need to talk about tying the hands of judges. I saw in Burnaby, B.C. last year with the hon. member and so many other members in the House the spectacle as a result of 745 of Clifford Olson being allowed to manipulate the system. The judge did not have in his mind the desire to make sure this individual would never see the light of day and that he would spend his time behind bars.
This is not about revisiting capital punishment. It is rather an important step ahead in recognizing and in modernizing our justice system to reflect accurately the angst of victims, the sensibility of their families and the reasonability of all Canadians.
I am very proud to be here today. As I said the last time I spoke to Bill C-274, moved by the member for Mississauga East, this issue will brought back to the House as long as it is not willing to acquiesce to it.
I assure members it is a good bill. It deserves our support. Let us support the bill. Let us get the bill to committee and let us protect Canadians.