Tory motion aims at tackling human trafficking

Last Updated: Saturday, December 9, 2006 | 7:20 PM ET

CBC News

Conservative MP Joy Smith introduced a private member's bill Friday asking parliamentarians to condemn human trafficking and come up with a comprehensive plan to combat the problem.

Smith hopes motion 153 will make her colleagues more receptive to an upcoming report on the issue from the federal status of women committee. The motion has the support of Status of Women Minister Bev Oda.

"Human trafficking is definitely here, alive and well. It is a horrendous crime," said Smith, who represents a Winnipeg-area riding.

"It's time for Canadians to be aware that this crime has to be stopped. It's time for police officers to be supported so they can put the boots on the ground to apprehend the pimps and the people who prey on these poor victims.

"And it's time for communities to understand that these women are victims of a horrendous crime and need to be protected."

The RCMP estimates that between 800 and 1,200 people, the vast majority women, are victims of human trafficking in Canada each year.

Smith told CBC News she considered that figure "the tip of the iceberg," with many non-governmental organizations estimating as many as 15,000 women annually are victims.

She said NGO's need support and space to house victims, while police need more resources

In March, Immigration Minister Monte Solberg announced that temporary resident permits would be available for issue to trafficking victims for 120 days, allowing them to begin recovering. At the conclusion of four months, they can return to their home country or apply to stay in Canada.

Model seeks industry regulation 

Liz Crawford, a former international model, was one of the people who made a presentation to the parliamentary committee studying human trafficking.

She says she's seen Canadian girls forced into prostitution when they had hoped to become top models. In one case, the girl's passport was confiscated when she arrived in Greece on a one-way ticket.

"The agency started sending her on other jobs, working in bars, dancing in clubs, and it progressed into a situation where she had to do things she normally would never have done to make money to come home," she said.

Crawford hopes the parliamentary committee will recommend the regulation of her industry. 

"There are no restrictions put on model agents or scouts in our country, no background checks on people, no licensing required, so anyone with a pulse and business card can recruit them. This would be a field day, a playground for predators," she said.

Francisco Rico-Martinez works with victims of trafficking at a refugee centre in Toronto.

He's worried Smith's motion won't make any meaningful difference.

"I think the motion could be taken as a good intention for Christmas but not practical. I don't know how effective it will be at end of day."

Last year, the Liberal government introduced anti-trafficking legislation based on the recommendations of an all-party committee. Smith said the legislation lacked the teeth to make it effective.

Smith expressed concerns ahead of the 2010 Olympic Games in Vancouver-Whistler, claiming that major sporting events are a haven for trafficking. 

A group called the Council Against Trafficking in Women claimed in a statement after the World Cup in Germany in June that Munich police confirmed there were 200-300 more women working in licensed sex clubs during the tournament.