Mr. Speaker, in our 2011 campaign platform we committed to being here for law-abiding Canadians.
Canadians want to know that their streets are safe and that their children are protected from predators. They believe in supporting the rehabilitation of offenders but also that the punishment fit the crime. Canadians also agree that the justice system should not put the rights of criminals ahead of the rights of victims. They believe that one victim is one victim too many.
Today, with the introduction of the victims bill of rights, we will entrench the rights of victims into legislation at the federal level. The bill addresses the needs most often noted by victims: the right to information; the right to be protected; the right to participation; and the right to restitution and financial assistance.
This legislation is long overdue.
Under the leadership of our Conservative Prime Minister and our Conservative government, we will always stand on the side of victims.