Mr. Speaker, what a pleasure it is to rise.
I had the opportunity to ask the member a question in regard to her initiative. It was interesting that, in a very humble way, she started her speech by talking about the Senate and paying tribute to the senator in advocating for what is being proposed.
I would like to echo toward the member some of the very same words she used of the senator, because I know that the member is very passionate about the issue. We were all able to witness this when she delivered her opening remarks on the bill. It takes a great deal of effort to usher legislation through the House, whether it is government business or private members' business, and I appreciate the effort that she and those individuals who were all involved in making it possible have put in, because it is an important issue.
When we think of Canadian society, we think of the fundamental principles that make us who we are as a nation. Our independent judicial system and the rule of law are things that make us who we are as a nation. Years ago I was the justice critic in the province of Manitoba. The member made reference to jurisdictional control. It is not just about Ottawa. There is a very strong role for provinces to play, and ultimately, when we really want to get down to it, even for our municipalities and other stakeholders.
There are fundamental aspects within our judicial system that I think are really important to recognize, and that is what we would be doing through Bill S-226: recognizing a very important aspect to our judicial system, the right to have jurors listen and to make a determination as to some sort of consequence for a crime that may have been or has been committed.
I think that, compared to other nations, Canada does exceptionally well, but there are areas we could improve upon. Some of the comments we heard today deal directly with how. Maybe it is financial compensation in different fashions. Mental health support is another area we could expand upon.
One thing I really would like to amplify is the issue of education, recognizing that there is a need for us to acknowledge what takes place, what a juror has to go through, why it is so important that we have jurors and why we have a duty as a citizen to participate in a process that, I would ultimately argue, is second to that of no other country in the world. It is because we have that sense of recognition in the House of many other things. As has been pointed out, this is an area we need to give some attention to.
Having an appreciation week would provide all sorts of opportunities. It is not just a matter of another appreciation week that comes by, and we pass it through. The real challenge would be for parliamentarians and others, particularly individuals who are engaged in the judicial system in one form or another, to take advantage of the opportunity to promote and encourage that appreciation week.
Let me give a tangible example. Nothing prevents a local school in the community from being made aware of it and sponsoring something in the classroom. For example, at my local schools, whether it is Sisler High School, Maples or St. John's, any one of those three high schools could have an initiative to recognize this with some sort of a day, class or portion of a class to talk about our judicial system and the important role and sacrifices, and I underline the word sacrifices, of our jurors.
Often when we hear about the court process or the different types of stories that come out of courts, especially with horrendous crimes, we hear that there is a very tangible consequence for those on that jury. Enabling through education, such as the example I am giving with schools, in essence, would support one of Canada's values. It would contribute to the bigger picture of justice.
The member, in introducing the legislation, talked about the issue of compensation, and compensation is important. When we stop to think about it, a great deal is given up when people are called to be on a jury. Some of those calls could be for a fairly long period of time. We expect and hope that, if someone is called to perform jury duty, they will actually show up. The financial component to this does need to be taken seriously. I think the member made reference to $40 a day being suggested. Proper compensation, in whatever form, is what we should be open to.
The other issue is the emotional one and the potential scars that do not go away. People might be on jury duty for two weeks or two months, depending on the situation. Ultimately they may find themselves in a situation where the case is closed, done and dealt with, but people may still have these images in their mind, images that were brought to their attention and shown to them in a court proceeding. We can think of some of the horrendous crimes, such as murder, sexual assault and kidnappings. There are a lot of different types of crimes. It could be crimes involving pornography, and there are all sorts of crimes there. Once people see something, they cannot unsee it. We talk about the duties, and that is great, but let us recognize the sacrifice. The emotional toll can, at times, be very heavy and stick with people virtually for life.
I look at the legislation we have before us today, and I recognize it for what it is, which is a valuable opportunity for Canadians as a whole, in many different ways, to get a better understanding of just how important a trial juror is and of the sacrifices jurors make so that we have a justice system that is the envy of the world. I give my very best to those who have been one, and I wish nothing but the best for those who will be one going forward into the future. I recognize just how important they are.
I thank my colleague for taking the time to do the research, to work with the Senate and to bring the Senate bill here to the House of Commons, so that we could all have this debate and ultimately pass it.