Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I, too, will support the motion that is before us today on criminal records checks. Mr. Speaker, it is something I feel very strongly about. I believe the justice system in this country is too lax and it is no fault of young children, who have offenders molest them, that our jails and our justice system fails and lets people out of jail early that will re-offend. They are out there, Mr. Speaker. We have to take every step that we can to ensure that our children are safe in our communities and they are not going to be victims of sexual abuse perpetrated by these types of individuals. As I said, it is better safe than sorry. I know that it may be a little onerous on organizations and whatnot to carry out these criminal records checks, but I certainly would air on the side of caution when it comes to protecting our children. That is what this is intended to do.
I also wanted to say, as a society, we just can't tolerate abuse of any kind, sexual in nature or otherwise, against children. I think, as a community, we have an obligation to report abnormal behaviour by individuals to the RCMP. I think everybody can work at this together. If you see something in your communities that doesn't add up, that is not quite right, say something to somebody because, chances are, something is going on there, Mr. Speaker. I think, as a community and as a group of individuals, we owe it to each other to look out for each other. If something is happening in your communities, please say something to somebody because children may be affected. We certainly wouldn't want that to be the case, Mr. Speaker.
Again, I do support the motion as it is presented today. Like my colleague, Mr. Hawkins, I would like to thank Mr. Terry Rideout for coming forward and pursuing this with the vigor that he has. I think it is a tremendous thing that he is doing and all the accolades that that deserves, Mr. Speaker. Mahsi.
---Applause