Mr. Speaker, I look forward to working with the member on the justice and human rights committee.
I do not think the premise needs to be accepted that the NDP views judicial discretion as only something that should be relinquished when it is a case of the wrongdoer. That is not at all what we have been saying. In general, judicial discretion needs to be respected in our legal system.
We are consistent that in the revised bill, with respect to the very open textured rules on self-defence, we think discretion will work, keeping in mind that the judgment of ordinary citizens will be equally important. The law cannot wander too far away from basic common sense.
However, we also believe that when it comes to things like sentencing, judicial discretion is also needed. We are being consistent.