Sure. Thank you very much, Ms. Ambler.
The amendments contained in Bill C-36, as I said my opening remarks, are meant to marry new sections of the Criminal Code with existing sections that deal with human trafficking. But you're absolutely right: there are many overlaps, if you will, particularly for vulnerable individuals and exploitative persons.
What we've attempted to do is ensure consistency with the human trafficking offences, which is very much related criminal conduct. Specifically, to answer your question, it would increase maximum penalties and impose mandatory minimum penalties for receiving a material benefit from human trafficking. Many of those who are trafficked are underage so there are already sections that apply, but regarding, for example, the withholding of documents for the purpose of committing child trafficking and the receipt of a material benefit from child trafficking, all of these types, shall we say, of collateral activities that need to be deterred will see increased maximum penalties under the bill.
What we're attempting to do here throughout this bill is to ensure greater protection for vulnerable Canadians. This is inherent in the bill. We have examined other jurisdictions that have decriminalized or legalized prostitution and found that higher rates of human trafficking and sexual exploitation have been the end result, and legalizing and regulating prostitution would create an increase in demand for those who provide sexual services.
That runs completely contrary to our intent to end the violence and exploitation that we think is inherent to prostitution, as I've said. It recognizes the societal harm that is caused by the commodification of sexual services. That is very much what we're attempting to do, to take these new sections and ensure they are consistent with the current provisions of the code.