For me, that is a serious crime. I think that for all of us, around this table, that is a serious crime that deserves a harsh sentence. After having spoken with prosecutors and even police officers, I wanted to observe the following principle, which is that the judge can determine the sentence as he or she sees fit, whatever the offence concerned, be it forced labour or sexual exploitation. But as legislators, we must make it clear that these crimes are considered serious enough to call for consecutive sentences.
As for consecutive sentences, beyond the fact that the sentence must be severe enough for the crimes committed, there is the following situation, which is very important. When the victim sees that the man who assaulted her for weeks, for months, even for years, is charged and found guilty of trafficking, pimping and aggravated assault, but he only gets a three-year sentence because only the trafficking sentence is taken into account, she does not understand. This man raped her, tortured her, and she has the impression that she is nothing. She tries to reconstruct her humanity, and yet this man is only sentenced to three years in prison. There are many cases like this one.
To my knowledge, the longest sentence imposed was seven years. It was for atrocious crimes involving several victims. The victims do not understand why these men, who were charged with these crimes, are not serving an appropriate sentence. During their healing process, the victims have the impression that society is inflicting yet another injustice upon them.
It is very important not to forget that this bill is intended to give police officers and prosecutors tools, but also to give victims real justice. They are told that it is not up to them to carry the burden of proof. These men committed atrocious crimes and they will pay for them. Furthermore, if they are found guilty, the proceeds of their crimes will be taken from them. Whether it happened in Canada, between Montreal and Quebec, between Niagara Falls and Toronto, or on the way from Russia, it is all the same.
I have just been given the name of
Aboriginal Women's Action Network.
Thank you very much. The people who created this group have officially established that they want prostitution abolished, in order to protect the young girls and adult women in their communities.
Yes, you are right: the sentences that are imposed must serve as an example and the proceeds of crime must be confiscated. Victims must not be victimized yet again.
I think that the current Criminal Code will allow us to accomplish great things. I truly hope that during third reading, all of my colleagues will vote to support this bill, just as they did during second reading.