Thank you, Mr. Chair.
I would like to thank both of you for coming here.
It is always moving but also more practical for me to hear from those people who work on these files daily.
An incident occurred in my region not so long ago. On April 24, the Le Droit newspaper ran an article about a young 17-year-old girl who had been tricked into prostitution. We talk a great deal about procuring now, about human trafficking, prostitution, etc., but the people involved are getting younger and younger. In this case, the article was about the trial of three young teenage girls charged with procuring. Unbelievable!
When we talk about crime networks now, we do not just talk about adults and organized crime, but street gangs too. And we are no longer just looking at the stereotypical white male of such and such an age. We are talking about young people who, through a social network, attracted this young 17-year-old girl and subjected her to what Mr. Monchamp was talking about. She was so afraid.
Some people could say that she should have got a grip, gone to see her parents and that would have been the end of the story. They put her in compromising situations, took photos and played on her fear. I have no doubt that this matter will wind its way through the normal course of justice. It would be more practical to provide you with tools.
However, with respect to presumption, I am not sure that that will apply in the case of trafficking minors. I am wondering whether we are setting something aside with respect to this presumption, but perhaps you are not in the best position to answer these questions. We will be hearing from some legal experts and they may be able to answer these questions.
You work in the field and this is part of your daily life. I asked Ms. Mourani this question. Sometimes, I have a bit of difficulty when I read the bill and sections 212 and 279 of the Criminal Code. This deals with procuring and human trafficking in this country. My problem may stem from the fact that I am not an expert in criminal law. I have worked in the labour law sector all my life, but it seems to me that there are many similarities. I am wondering whether we should be merging all of this. Perhaps you can guide me with respect to these questions.