Statement from Jack Harris and Christine Moore at the 3rd reading vote on Bill C-15 (Strengthening Military Justice in Defence of Canada Act)

New Democrats supported the passage of Bill C-15, the Strengthening Military Justice in Defence of Canada Act, at third reading today.

We are proud to have achieved significant progress here, ensuring that over 90 per cent of offences under the Code of Service Discipline will no longer attract a criminal record. In response to New Democrat demands for improvement, the government agreed to amend the key Clause 75. These changes are retroactive.

The bill also provides for new flexibility in sentencing through conditional sentences and other important advances. New Democrats fought in the previous and current Parliaments to achieve recognition that procedures for military trials by summary proceedings lack legal protections that civilians enjoy and should not result in criminal records.

We are proud to have achieved significant, tangible results after several years of vocal support, both inside and outside the House of Commons, for a fairer justice system for Canadian Forces members.

There is still a long way to go, but Bill C-15 is an important first step. New Democrats are committed to going further to protect the Charter rights of Canadian Forces members and to engage in a major review and overhaul of the military justice system.

The NDP is calling on the Conservative government to end its piecemeal approach to the military justice system and is committed to conducting a wall-to-wall, independent review of the entire National Defence Act as it pertains to military justice. This accords with the recommendations of retired Justice Gilles Letourneau of the Federal Court of Appeal and Court Marshall Appeal Court, who testified before the committee.

The Liberals voted against this improved version of the bill, despite supporting the unamended version in principle at second reading. They put forward no amendments that might have improved this bill.

Though this legislation is not perfect, New Democrats have supported constructive changes and the strengthening of our soldiers’ Charter rights, and we are committed to fixing outstanding problems and overhauling the military justice system when we form government.