LEGISLATION AGAINST HUMAN TRAFFICKING PASSES THROUGH PARLIAMENT

OTTAWA, November 25, 2005 – Irwin Cotler, Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada, today announced that Bill C-49, An Act to amend the Criminal Code (trafficking in persons) has passed through Parliament and is now awaiting Royal Assent.

Estimated to affect 700,000 persons globally each year, trafficking in persons involves the recruitment, transportation and harbouring of victims for the purpose of exploiting them, typically in the sex trade or for forced labour. Trafficking victims, who are primarily women and children, suffer threatened as well as actual physical and emotional violence that is compounded by their living and working conditions.

“Human trafficking is today’s global slave trade,” said Minister Cotler. “It constitutes a pervasive and persistent criminal violation of the most fundamental of human rights: the right to life, liberty and security of the person. These new Criminal Code offences send a clear message: we strongly denounce and criminalize human trafficking; we will provide increased protection to those most vulnerable to this heinous crime; and we are firmly resolved to bring the perpetrators to justice.”

The Criminal Code amendments create three new indictable offences that specifically address human trafficking. The main offence prohibits the recruitment, transportation, harbouring or controlling of the movements of another for the purpose of exploiting or facilitating the exploitation of that person. This offence is punishable by life imprisonment where it involves the kidnapping, aggravated sexual assault, aggravated assault or death of the victim and is punishable by a maximum penalty of 14 years imprisonment in all other cases.

The second offence prohibits anyone from receiving a financial or other material benefit, knowing that it results from the trafficking of a person. This offence carries a maximum penalty of ten years imprisonment.

The third offence prohibits the withholding or destruction of documents - such as a victim’s identification, immigration or travel documents – for the purpose of trafficking or facilitating the trafficking of that person. This offence carries a maximum penalty of five years imprisonment.

These new offences will build upon existing prohibitions addressing related conduct to ensure a comprehensive criminal law response to all forms of human trafficking, whether it occurs wholly within Canada or involves some cross border dimensions.

Bill C-49 fulfills one of this Government’s commitments from the October 2004 Speech from the Throne. It is also part of broader on-going federal and international efforts to combat human trafficking. For further information, please visit the Department of Justice website at http://canada.justice.gc.ca/en/news/nr/2005/doc_31486.html.

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Ref.:
Marc Chalifoux
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister of Justice
(613) 992-4621

Media Relations Office
Department of Justice Canada
(613) 957-4207