In Ottawa, on Tuesday, October 16, 2012, Bloc Québécois Justice and Public Safety Critic, MP Maria Mourani, Deputy for Ahuntsic, introduced a Bill on human trafficking and sexual exploitation.
 
I was representing CATHII (Comité d’action contre la traite humaine interne et internationale) in support of this planned Bill which corrects the shortcomings in the implementation of article 279 of the Criminal Code relating to human trafficking.

We were among six organizations who came to support Mrs. Mourani on this important day for all those who are working to fight to change the lives of victims of human trafficking and sexual exploitation.

Three major elements are defined in this draft of the Bill:

Firstly,  The bill aims to reverse the burden of proof in human trafficking cases since victims often don’t want to come forward to testify.   Accused traffickers will have to explain how they are not exploiting others to make a living when they are found with a victim of trafficking.

Secondly: When there is trafficking, there are also other offences related to this crime, for example, confiscation of passport, captivity, violence etc., so that it sets consecutive sentences for offences related to the same crime.

Thirdly: It allows for seizing the money gained from these crimes from all those found guilty of this crime. 

Thus, in lending our support to this bill which received a first reading, CATHII hopes that it will provide better protection for the victims and allow for their rehabilitation within the context of greater safety, sheltered from their traffickers.

Claudette Bastien,s.n.j.m.
 President of CATHII