March 24th, Ottawa, Ontario, Pierre Paul-Hus, Conservative Shadow Minister for Public Services and Procurement, with the support of the Hon. Rob Moore, Conservative Shadow Minister for Justice and Attorney General of Canada, tabled a bill that would make important changes to the Criminal Code to counter the sexual exploitation of minors.

These changes were recommended by the Select Committee on the Sexual Exploitation of Minors of the Quebec National Assembly. Paul-Hus is calling on the Trudeau Liberals to recognize the urgent need to combat the sexual exploitation of minors and treat this bill as a priority.

“During my role as Conservative Shadow Minister for Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness, I worked in collaboration with members of the National Assembly of Quebec on the important issue of combating the sexual exploitation of minors,” said Paul-Hus. “Less than four months after the unanimous report of the National Assembly, I am offering the federal government a way to implement the recommendations. My bill is intended to strengthen the legislation and thus better protect our children. I invite all members of Parliament, regardless of their affiliation, to support my bill.”

“Human trafficking is a scourge in Canada that requires new legislation to combat,” added Rob Moore, Conservative Shadow Minister for Justice and Attorney General. “I am proud to support this bill that will target human traffickers and better protect survivors.”

Bill C-277 would implement the following recommendations:

• Allow the implementation of the consecutive sentencing provision for human trafficking;
• Add crimes of sexual exploitation to the proceeds of forfeiture mechanism;
• Eliminate preliminary inquiries related to the prosecution of sexual exploitation of minors and human trafficking offences; and
• Require the Minister of Justice to provide law enforcement with more effective legal tools to obtain evidence of sexual crimes committed against minors and committed online in cyberspace, given that such evidence is often on servers outside the country.

Organizations that work to fight against the sexual exploitation of minors are supporting Paul-Hus’s initiative. They call on the federal government to take the required steps to ensure that Bill C-277 is passed and implemented quickly.

“Bill C-277 will implement key recommendations from the unanimous report of the Select Committee on the Sexual Exploitation of Minors. There is an urgent need for this legislation to be passed.”
‒Pina Arcamone, Executive Director of the Missing Children Network

“As the father of a young victim, I fully support Bill C-277, which will strengthen the fight against the sexual exploitation of minors and further protect victims in the Canadian justice system.”
‒Richard Desjardins, father of a victim and General Manager of the Kekpart House

“Sexually exploited women and girls have reported the need for more changes to the Criminal Code in order to respond to their needs. Bill C-277 holds traffickers accountable and removes the significant challenges present when victims have to testify twice. It recognizes the reality and scourge that constitutes the sexual exploitation of young girls and boys in Canada. It gives victims hope they can one day live without fear.”
‒Megan Walker, Executive Director of the London Abused Women’s Centre (LAWC)

“We must never forget that the sexual exploitation of minors and vulnerable adults has been on the rise over the past five years and that this industry generates huge profits for organized crime,” added Paul-Hus. “Quebecers have been clear, they want action. Let us work to secure the safety of minors and vulnerable Canadians, and put an end to sexual exploitation.”

-30-

For more information:

Office of Pierre Paul-Hus, M.P.
Joel.Bernard.319@parl.gc.ca
613-222-5613

Office of the Hon. Rob Moore, P.C., M.P.
Sean.Joudry.254@parl.gc.ca
613-720-3175