Madam Speaker, our current justice minister has been holding her portfolio for 601 days. She has been dragging her feet on the Young Offenders Act. She has been dragging her feet on important decisions she was supposed to make. She has shown a lack of leadership on the important issues that this parliament and this country is facing.
Just now the hon. member on the other side pointed out that a wrong decision has been made. What is the member doing about it? Is he going to close his eyes and ears and just let it go as it is?
Why did 70 members on the government side write to the Prime Minister on January 20? Because they know that something wrong has been done. If something wrong has been done then we as the elected representatives of Canadians must stand in this House and work through our conscience and vote the way our constituents are telling us to vote.
How many Canadians want child pornography to continue? How many Canadians want their children in this situation? I have two teenage boys. God forbid if they were forced into this situation. How would I feel if the judge made a decision that would allow the pedophile out, he thanked the judge and then said “here are the pictures of your children”?
This is a very emotional issue. I know that members on the government side in their hearts know that they are wrong to oppose this motion. Let us forget about politics on this ground. We are not in an election mode. Let us look through the lens of issues. Let us do something which will make history in this country, which will make our children's future the best on the planet.
I ask all members, particularly the member who asked the question, if they agree that what is being done is wrong, then have guts. Do not sit in the House like a bag of sand. Work on your conscious and vote accordingly.