Oct. 14: Winnipeg

Today, October 14, 2010, UBC Law Professor Benjamin Perrin and MP Joy Smith will be holding a press conference to address the issue of human trafficking in Manitoba and on what measures must be taken to end human trafficking and related sexual exploitation. [Read More]

Book review in the Winnipeg Free Press by Brenlee Carrington, Law Society of Manitoba’s equity ombudswoman

The content of this compelling look at human trafficking in Canada is as brilliant as the timing of its publication.

Invisible Chains has come out less than three weeks after the release of Manitoba MP Joy Smith’s proposal for a national plan to combat human trafficking, less than two weeks after Manitoba’s first-ever human trafficking charge was laid and less than one week after an Ontario court ruling struck down key Ontario sex trade laws. [Read More]

Human trafficking charges have been laid for the first time in Manitoba after a woman was forced into prostitution. Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs Grand Chief Ron Evans believes the case is just the tip of the iceberg. He believes there are more women like the 21-year-old rescued by Winnipeg police Monday night.

“It’s probably happening more frequently than we are aware,” Evans said. [Read More]

Today, Joy Smith, Member of Parliament for Kildonan – St. Paul, released a comprehensive proposal for a National Action Plan to Combat Human Trafficking. The proposal contains numerous recommendations and action points aimed at providing a concrete federal response to areas of prosecution, protection, prevention, and partnerships. “Human trafficking is an egregious crime that reaches all corners of our nation and must not be tolerated,” says MP Joy Smith. [Read More]

On June 16, 2010, the Senate of Canada adopted at Third Reading Bill C-268, An Act to amend the Criminal Code (minimum sentence for offences involving trafficking of persons under the age of eighteen years). The legislation will now be sent to the Governor General of Canada for Royal Assent. Bill C-268 will amend Canada’s Criminal Code to introduce a new human trafficking offence specifically addressing child traffickers. The new law will provide a minimum sentence of five years imprisonment for anyone convicted of trafficking a minor in Canada and a minimum of six years imprisonment for cases with aggravating factors. [Read More]