Human Trafficking Legislation in Canada
In 2002, Canada ratified the Protocol to Prevent, Suppress and Punish Trafficking in Persons, especially Women and Children. The Protocol aims to balance punishment of traffickers with services to assist victims. While human trafficking has been a criminal offence in Canada since 2005, few additional pieces of legislation specifically addressing trafficking exist.
There are currently three Private Members’ Bills being processed through Parliament that, if passed, would strengthen Canada’s legal framework to protect victims and ensure perpetrators are brought to justice.
Bill C-268: This bill proposes to amend the Criminal Code to place a mandatory minimum sentence of five years for those convicted involvement in the trafficking a child under the age of 18. Conservative Member of Parliament Joy Smith introduced the bill on January 29, 2009, and it was debated at its second reading in the House of Commons on April 1, 2009.
Bill C-269: Currently, victims of trafficking are allowed to remain in Canada only if they are involved in legal prosecution of their traffickers. Bill C-269 proposes to amend the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act to allow victims of trafficking to gain a temporary residency permit even if they are not involved in a criminal case against their trafficker. The bill was introduced by Liberal MP Marlene Jennings, and had its first reading in the House of Commons on January 29, 2009.
Bill S-223: This bill also proposes changes to the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act that would expand protection and support for victims of trafficking.
It would enable victims to obtain a protection permit that would grant them temporary residence status in Canada for up to 180 days, and this status could be extended for up to three years in special circumstances. This bill would also provide victims with access to health benefits, social services, and allow them to work or study in Canada. As well, it would create a health services information hotline for victims of trafficking through which they could access counseling, health referrals and other services. It would also establish an awareness campaign on human trafficking with particular emphasis on the vulnerability of victims.
Bill S-223 was sponsored by Liberal Senator Gerard A. Phalen (retired) and has been through its second reading in the Senate.
To check the current status of these bills, go to the Parliament of Canada website.
These bills represent important steps in preventing human trafficking in Canada and providing support for victims. Please contact your Member of Parliament or Senator to express your support for one or more of these bills. If you would like information or tips on how to go about contacting your representative, a great Advocacy Toolkit created by Citizens for Public Justice can aid you.
Additional information about these bills can be found at Citizens for Public Justice
There are currently three Private Members’ Bills being processed through Parliament that, if passed, would strengthen Canada’s legal framework to protect victims and ensure perpetrators are brought to justice.
Bill C-268: This bill proposes to amend the Criminal Code to place a mandatory minimum sentence of five years for those convicted involvement in the trafficking a child under the age of 18. Conservative Member of Parliament Joy Smith introduced the bill on January 29, 2009, and it was debated at its second reading in the House of Commons on April 1, 2009.
Bill C-269: Currently, victims of trafficking are allowed to remain in Canada only if they are involved in legal prosecution of their traffickers. Bill C-269 proposes to amend the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act to allow victims of trafficking to gain a temporary residency permit even if they are not involved in a criminal case against their trafficker. The bill was introduced by Liberal MP Marlene Jennings, and had its first reading in the House of Commons on January 29, 2009.
Bill S-223: This bill also proposes changes to the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act that would expand protection and support for victims of trafficking.
It would enable victims to obtain a protection permit that would grant them temporary residence status in Canada for up to 180 days, and this status could be extended for up to three years in special circumstances. This bill would also provide victims with access to health benefits, social services, and allow them to work or study in Canada. As well, it would create a health services information hotline for victims of trafficking through which they could access counseling, health referrals and other services. It would also establish an awareness campaign on human trafficking with particular emphasis on the vulnerability of victims.
Bill S-223 was sponsored by Liberal Senator Gerard A. Phalen (retired) and has been through its second reading in the Senate.
To check the current status of these bills, go to the Parliament of Canada website.
These bills represent important steps in preventing human trafficking in Canada and providing support for victims. Please contact your Member of Parliament or Senator to express your support for one or more of these bills. If you would like information or tips on how to go about contacting your representative, a great Advocacy Toolkit created by Citizens for Public Justice can aid you.
Additional information about these bills can be found at Citizens for Public Justice
