Fwd: Bill C-310 Receives Unanimous Support at 2nd Reading - Off to Justice Committee

News Release           

Bill C-310 Receives Unanimous Support at 2^nd Reading

Ottawa, ON:  Today, Bill C-310, An Act to amend the Criminal Code (trafficking), completed the allotted debate for 2^nd Reading and was unanimously referred to the Standing Committee on Justice and Human Rights.  Private Members’ Bills usually receive a vote at 2^nd Reading, however in the rare situation where there is unanimous support, the legislation is sent right to Committee Stage.

“The careful attention paid to this legislation and even more so to the issue of modern day slavery during the speeches is quite encouraging. There are few matters of justice that require our constant attention as much as slavery,” said MP Joy Smith. “The unanimous support that Bill C-310 has received today reveals that MPs are committed to strengthening the tools used by police officers and prosecutors and securing justice for victims of trafficking both here in Canada and abroad.”

In both the first and second hour of debates, Members of Parliament from all parties spoke strongly in favour of Bill C-310.

Debate - October 25, 2011 

MP Robert Gougen, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Justice

I support the legislation and applaud my colleague for her unwavering commitment to this issue. I urge all members to support the rapid passage of the bill into law.

MP Jack Harris, NDP Justice Critic

“I fully support and endorse Bill C-310. I sought to be one of the co-seconders but I understand it was oversubscribed. That is a good indication that this is a measure that deserves the support and consent and implementation by the House and by the government.”

       

        Debate - December 12, 2011

MP Geoff Regan, Liberal

“Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of Bill C-310, a bill which the Liberal Party supports….To make human trafficking offences abroad subject to prosecution in Canada is, as such, a step in the right direction and something all Canadians can support.”

Bill C-310 is expected to be reviewed by the Standing Committee on Justice and Human Rights in February 2012 before returning to the House of Commons for 3^rd Reading.

Additional details on Bill C-310 can be found here: http://www.joysmith.ca/main.asp?fxoid=FXMenu,9&cat_ID=27&sub_ID=112

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For more information please contact:

Joel Oosterman

Office of Joy Smith, MP

Tel: (613) 992-7148

Cell: (613) 220-6795

Email: joy.smith.a2@parl.gc.ca

Human Trafficking Bill Debated Today, Receives Vote On Wednesday

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

December 12, 2011  Media Advisory

Ottawa, ON: Bill C-310, An Act to amend the Criminal Code (trafficking), is set to be debated today at Second Reading during Private Members' Business hour.

Bill C-310 was introduced by MP Joy Smith to amend the Criminal Code to add human trafficking as an extraterritorial offence. This will ensure Canadians involved in human trafficking in other countries can be prosecuted in Canada. The Bill also adds a Criminal Code evidentiary aid for Courts to enhance the Criminal Code definition of human trafficking.

Bill C-310 will be debated:
Time: 11:00-12:00pm EST
Date: Monday, December 12, 2011,
Location: House of Commons
Details: MP Joy Smith will close the Hour of Debate with a 5 minute speech. The debate will be broadcast live on CPAC or online at PARLVU. Bill C-310 will face a vote at Second Reading on December 14, 2011 in order to proceed to the Standing Committee on Justice and Human Rights. Additional details on Bill C-310 can be found here: http://www.joysmith.ca/main.asp?fxoid=FXMenu,9&cat_ID=27&sub_ID=112

For more information please contact:
Joel Oosterman
Office of Joy Smith, MP
Tel: (613) 992-7148
Cell: (613) 220-6795
Email: joy.smith.a2@parl.gc.ca<mailto:joy.smith.a2@parl.gc.ca>

Slavery footprint

Some thoughts about Advent and Christmas

I just read this blog post from Jen Hatmaker and I loved what she wrote (Thanks Jamie). In her article, she writes about Buying Products with a Conscience. I have reprinted the list here.

These products range from beautiful artisan crafts made by former sex slaves or recipients of microloans; they include companies who use profits for international justice or employ vulnerable workers. Fabulously, these options are legion, and you don't have to look hard to find them. I'll include a few, then hopefully readers will add to the list of responsible vendors in the comment section:

www.cometogethertrading.com
www.redearthtradingco.com
www.furnacehillscoffee.com/index
www.preemptivelove.org
www.noondaycollection.com
www.bethejoy.com
www.goodnewsgoods.com
www.theopenarmsshop.com
www.commonthreadz.org
www.globalgirlfriend.com
www.3seams.com
www.ravenandlily.com
www.tradeasone.com
www.thehungersite.org
www.funkyfishdesigns.com

Check it out

Fwd: MP Joy Smith Tables Petitions Calling for Action on Human Trafficking & Sexual Exploitation

MP Joy Smith Tables Petitions Calling for Action on Human Trafficking & Sexual Exploitation

OTTAWA, ON – Today, on the National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence against Women and the 22^nd anniversary of the 1989 murders of 14 young women, Member of Parliament Joy Smith, presented over 9000 signatures in the House of Commons of Canadians calling for government action against modern day slavery and sexual exploitation.

MP Joy Smith tabled 2940 signatures on petitions requesting that 'Parliament amend the Criminal Code to decriminalize the selling of sexual services and criminalize the purchasing of sexual services and provide support to those who desire to leave prostitution.' 

"Tragically, women and girls make up the majority of the victims of human trafficking, even here in Canada," said MP Joy Smith. "Women and girls face significant violence through forms of modern day slavery and prostitution." 

MP Smith also tabled 6062 signatures that requested that 'the Government develop and implement a comprehensive national action plan to combat human trafficking.'

"The Government of Canada is deeply committed to addressing the problem of violence against women and girls in Canada and abroad,' said MP Joy Smith. "Our government is developing a National Action Plan to Combat Human Trafficking and it is investing in projects that combat violence and abuse."

December 6 is the National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence against Women in Canada.  Established in 1991 by the Parliament of Canada, the day marks the anniversary of the murders in 1989 of 14 young women at l'École Polytechnique de Montréal, who died because they were women. 

"This day is an opportunity for Canadians to reflect on the countless women and girls worldwide for whom violence and the threat of violence are a daily reality," said MP Joy Smith. "Violence against women affects us all. It destroys our families and communities and knows no bounds – social, economic, racial or geographic."

MP Joy Smith also recognized the link between modern day slavery and forms of violence against women and girls in a statement in the House of Commons on Friday December 2, 2011:

Mr. Speaker,

Today is the International Day for the Abolition of Slavery, which represents the global effort to eradicate contemporary forms of slavery, such as trafficking in persons, sexual exploitation, the worst forms of child labour, forced marriage, and child soldiers.

Tragically, women and girls make up the majority of these victims, even here in Canada. 

The Government of Canada is deeply committed to addressing the problem of violence against women and girls in Canada and abroad.

Our government will mark the December 6 National Day of Violence Against Women by encouraging Canadians to raise awareness about gender violence and taking action to invest in projects that combat violence and abuse.

May we remain steadfast in our determination and action to end violence against women and girls in all its forms.

MP Joy Smith has introduced a Private Members' Bill to extend extraterritorial jurisdiction to Canada's human trafficking offences and enhance the definition of exploitation. Bill C-310 will be debated for a second time on December 12, 2011 and will be put to a vote at Second Reading on December 14, 2011. MP Smith's previous Private Members' Bill, C-268 become law in 2010 and created Canada's child trafficking offence.

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For more information, please contact:

Joel Oosterman

Chief of Staff

Office of Joy Smith, MP

Phone: (613) 992-7148

Email: joy.smith.a2@parl.gc.ca

Website: www.joysmith.ca