Mr. Speaker, I thank the member for the question because it allows me an opportunity to point out the experts that we did listen to. We have a definition of “experts” on this side of the House that is different from the NDP's definition. For us, the experts are the people who have lived this problem. They are the victims themselves.
Here is what I would say to the member. Perhaps she could take some notes.
Aruna Papp was a victim. This is what she said on May 7:
I commend the government for its leadership in taking a stand on a very difficult issue and for defending the human rights of vulnerable women who are unable to speak for themselves. I'm thrilled to support this bill. In many ways, it is a result of my work with new immigrants and a response to the voices unheard in the past.
There is an expert.
Here is another expert. Raheel Raza, from Muslims Facing Tomorrow, said:
I am very glad that our government is taking such a keen interest in this. There are thousands of young women and children out there who would otherwise not be protected.
Richard Kurland is another expert. He is a lawyer working with immigrants every single day in Vancouver. He has appeared many times before our committee on a variety of issues. This is what Mr. Kurland had to say:
It's the right thing at the right time. It addresses directly a practical problem, so I come back to a more global view. Why aren't other countries adopting this? Canada's the model. I think you've nailed it, quite frankly, squarely on the head, or to put it differently, yes, it's the right legislative effort, which will take away a possible defence from individuals who ought to be incarcerated for a substantial period of time for their act.
These are the experts. I wish that the member opposite and her colleagues would listen to the real experts on this issue.