Bill C-277 (Historical)

An Act to amend the Criminal Code and An Act to amend the Criminal Code (exploitation and trafficking in persons)

This enactment amends the Criminal Code to add the offences of material benefit from sexual services and procuring to the list of offences subject to forfeiture of proceeds of crime. It also eliminates preliminary inquiries for indictable offences related to sexual exploitation.
The enactment also amends An Act to amend the Criminal Code (exploitation and trafficking in persons) to bring section 3 of that Act into force.
Finally, it provides for the preparation by the Minister of Justice of a report on mutual legal assistance in connection with sexual exploitation crimes committed on the Internet.

Sexual Exploitation of Minors

[Pierre Paul-Hus, Conservative, Charlesbourg—Haute-Saint-Charles, QC]

Mr. Speaker, this morning, at the opening of the sitting of the House, I did something important in Parliament. I acted as a legislator, but also as the father of two children.

I introduced Bill C-277, which seeks to combat the sexual exploitation of minors. This bill implements the recommendations set out in the report of the Select Committee on the Sexual Exploitation of Minors, which was unanimously adopted by the Quebec National Assembly.

I hope that my private member's bill will protect our children against sexual exploitation. Now, I also hope that the Liberal government will make this a priority. Our children must not become statistics. The select committee's report must not be forgotten or shelved.

I therefore urge all members, regardless of their political affiliation, to support this bill across party lines and help me give proper effect to its provisions. There is nothing more precious than our children. Let us protect them.

Criminal Code

[Pierre Paul-Hus, Conservative, Charlesbourg—Haute-Saint-Charles, QC]

moved for leave to introduce Bill C-277, An Act to amend the Criminal Code and An Act to amend the Criminal Code (exploitation and trafficking in persons).

Mr. Speaker, I am introducing this bill that seeks to combat the scourge of sexual exploitation of minors. The bill implements some of the recommendations of the Select Committee on the Sexual Exploitation of Minors, whose report was unanimously adopted by the Quebec National Assembly less than four months ago.

(Motions deemed adopted, bill read the first time and printed)