Department of Justice

MINISTER MCLELLAN LEADS CANADIAN DELEGATION TO FOURTH MEETING OF THE G-8 MINISTERS OF JUSTICE AND OF THE INTERIOR IN MILAN

OTTAWA, February 26, 2001 – The Honourable Anne McLellan, Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada, is leading the Canadian delegation to the meeting of the G-8 Ministers of Justice and of the Interior taking place today and tomorrow in Milan. Accompanying Minister McLellan is Ms. Nicole Jauvin, Deputy Solicitor General, representing the Honourable Lawrence MacAulay, Solicitor General of Canada.

The two-day meeting focuses on specific aspects of transnational organized crime and reinforces the Ministers' commitment to cooperate in combatting some of the most pervasive crimes in the world. At the heart of the discussions is the Transnational Organized Crime Convention (the Palermo Conference). Ministers are expected to confirm their desire to an early ratification of the Convention and its protocols, including the Protocol against the illicit production of and trafficking in firearms, which is in its final negotiations in Vienna this week.

"The Ministers of Justice and of the Interior of the G-8 share the view that the fight against organized crime can only be successfully won by our collective action," said Minister McLellan. "Through our collaborative efforts, we will help combat the activities of organized crime that have such a devastating impact on the human rights and the dignity of the people they affect."

Minister McLellan will speak of her intention to introduce legislation in the near future to create a new Criminal Code offence that will target those who use the Internet to lure children for the purpose of committing sexual offences. The G-8 Ministers agree that preventing the exploitation of some of the most vulnerable members of society is an investment countries must make to protect children and ensure they live and grow in a safe and healthy environment.

The G-8 Ministers, building on their previous three meetings (Washington, 1997; video-conference, 1998; Moscow, 1999), will underscore the importance of their cooperation to continue to combat illegal immigration and human trafficking, money laundering, terrorism, corruption and the exploitation of children for the purpose of pornography.

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Ref.:

Farah Mohamed
Director of Communications
Minister McLellan's Office
(613) 992-4621

Joan Howe
Communications Branch
Department of Justice
(613) 957-4205