Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, when this Assembly passed the motion declaring zero tolerance for family violence, I thought it was a very significant step. During that debate -- which I think most Members participated in -- I suggested that if we were to pass the motion we should follow up with concrete steps. We should consider qualifications for public office, not just for people like ourselves, but for persons appointed by our government to boards and agencies, and given other public responsibilities. This bill, in principle, takes that next step for ourselves as MLAs.
Mr. Speaker, I'm well aware that there are real concerns and there have been legal opinions suggesting that the bill casts too broad a net, that MLAs could be victimized, could be provoked, that people who deal with real people in desperate situations -- and there are difficult situations in all of our communities and households that we enter in the course of representing all of our constituents -- that we are likely to be involved in violence, to be challenged or provoked to fight by people who may want to victimize us and take advantage of this legislation and its very stringent penalties for what could be a minor assault, that we may have to throw an intruder out of our house, we may feel called upon to defend loved ones or perhaps to defend one's honour.
I know that there's a real fear that this bill would, in effect, make many of us vulnerable to losing our seats for acts and situations which many of us have encountered in our communities in doing our jobs. I, myself, am no exception to that.
Mr. Speaker, I think if Members are saying this bill would threaten us, would be a real threat to many of us or future MLAs, they might lose their seats for things that occur in our work; we have a choice to make today. I think we could reject the bill and defeat it, or we could accept the principle and resolve that; even though it will have these implications and it will change the way we must conduct ourselves, change the standards expected of ourselves, we will on the eve of an election do something to set higher standards for ourselves than ever before.
Mr. Speaker, I am well aware that the form of the present bill might well be improved. I think Mr. Dent has made reference to that, Mr. Ballantyne has made some good suggestions, I know there is other work that has been done; that can be done if we give the bill second reading.
I know, also, that there is some concern that, in fact, if we approve the bill on principle today, amendments could not be introduced which would undermine the principle of the bill, and this would be limiting the kinds of changes that could be made. Mr. Speaker, I have trouble dealing with that argument because I believe that the principle we're debating here today is that a Member convicted of a criminal offence involving violence, actual or threatened, should suffer the severe penalty of losing their seat.
I think if we do really believe in zero tolerance and if we do believe in honouring the motion that we've already unanimously passed in this House, we have no choice but to accept this principle today. And I think that's what is at issue today. I think we have to decide whether we will honour the convictions that we expressed in adopting the motion for zero tolerance by taking a serious stand.
We are being watched today, Mr. Speaker. I was impressed that the mayor and council of the town of Iqaluit, who have adopted a declaration of zero tolerance, communicated with me their support for the principle of this bill. I was impressed that directors of the women's shelter have communicated their strong support for the principle of this bill and are going to be watching what I do today.
So, Mr. Speaker, I think it's a major step. I think it may undoubtedly cause difficulties for future MLAs meeting a standard that is going to require probably restraint that may be beyond our ordinary human capacity to deal with at times. But I think we are being expected to set an example and to set a new tone for conduct and to honour the great statements that have been made in this House about not tolerating violence. So, in balance, and not without some trepidation, I have decided that I will support the second reading of this bill, knowing that it will be carefully scrutinized, all points of view will be considered in the Standing Committee on Legislation and then we will have the necessary information to make an informed judgement and consider the next step during the life of this Assembly. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.