Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I apologize for having to speak after the mover of the motion but I did not catch your attention earlier on.
Mr. Chairman, I think the greatest fear in this amendment deals with the word "discharged." The way I understand it is that the key word in this thing is "convicted" and that the sentence that is imposed by the court later on is irrelevant. In certain offences, as some colleagues have pointed out, there may be extenuating circumstances and the judge may wish to impose a discharge. I think that in the categories that we were dealing with and discussing earlier on, sexual exploitation and extreme violence, things of that nature, I think once a conviction is there, I have no objections to seeing a person removed from their seat.
There is no question about the integrity of Members here, that we're not ordinary individuals when it comes to the public's opinion. Every move we make and everything that we do is under scrutiny continuously and I think that if we have Members convicted of offences regardless of the sentence and they are allowed to sit in here, it would bring disgrace on the Legislative Assembly. I think that if they didn't resign, then this would force them to do that. If they wish to run again afterwards, they can do so. There's nothing stopping them if they can convince the electorate in their riding that they are worthy of that continued support.
When I said that I would support this it was based, as I said once they're found guilty of this offence then I think it is the right thing for them to do to resign and if they don't resign then this act will permit this to take place. I support this. I'm not afraid of this in any form. Thank you.