Madam Speaker, someone says, from across the way, “Yes, they could.” That is absolutely ridiculous, and this is the type of propaganda that we get coming from the Conservative Party.
They talk about the chamber. It is only a faction within the Conservative Party. I would like to believe, at least I hope, it is not all of the Conservative Party. Here in Ottawa today, in a minority government, a majority of MPs want to see this legislation ultimately pass through. That indeed is what is being proposed here before us today, recognizing the value and importance of the legislation and saying to the Conservative Party that enough is enough already. We finally have an opposition party that is actually onside and prepared to see this bill ultimately become law.
I would suggest that in many ways there are other pieces of legislation as well. Extortion, as an example, is a very serious issue, whether for the Prime Minister or for every member of the Liberal caucus. The police, law enforcement agencies and security agencies of Canada want to have lawful access. They are asking for lawful access. We could actually have lawful access today, but that is just another example of the filibustering that takes place in the Conservative Party today, because they do not want to see legislation pass.
If the Conservatives are serious about the issue of extortion, then why would they not allow for lawful access to become part of Canadian law? To those from the far right, let me suggest that there are all forms of stakeholders who agree to it. This is just like when the Conservative Party members say that something is their primary concern.
The Minister of Justice, in introducing the legislation, made reference to the fact that we want to work with members. This is a serious issue, and we want to work with members. Ultimately, there was a great deal of consultation. Yes, there were concerns raised by faith communities. The minister met with representatives of the different faiths, and more, and that ultimately led to an amendment being proposed in committee by the government.