Thank you, Chair.
Ms. Mourani, thank you for your presence today.
Your bill deals with several issues that are of great concern to us. We have discussed it at great length since I have become the justice critic for my party, as well as when I introduced the bill sponsored by our colleague, Ms. Joy Smith. Naturally, any actions that could eliminate human trafficking are desirable. I cannot think of anything more degrading.
That being said, we must still consider the legal aspects of the issue. I know you worked with the legislative drafters. I am quite concerned by this issue because if we enact legislation that will be overturned in court because it violates the charter, we will be no further ahead and back to square one.
What measures have you taken, on top of those undertaken with the Quebec Bar Association, to make sure your bill does not contravene the charter, especially, as you said, with respect to the reversal of proof, presumption and consecutive sentences? Like you, I do not find it difficult to understand that consecutive sentences already found in the Criminal Code certainly exist for very serious crimes. It could certainly be said that human trafficking and procuring are also very serious crimes.
Have you had any consultations about this? What replies did you receive from specialists?