Evidence of meeting #37 for Justice and Human Rights in the 41st Parliament, 2nd Session. (The original version is on Parliament’s site, as are the minutes.) The winning word was workers.
A video is available from Parliament.
Conservative
Bob Dechert Conservative Mississauga—Erindale, ON
Perhaps you could suggest how it could be clarified, but I think it's pretty clear. As a person who practised law for 25 years, I think it's pretty clear. We have a difference of opinion; I appreciate that. I just wanted to point out for the record that there is an exception there.
I'll pass the time back to Ms. Ambler.
Thank you.
Conservative
Stella Ambler Conservative Mississauga South, ON
Thank you.
Thank you to all of our witnesses for being here today.
Ms. Sigurdson, you expressed the opinion that we should let the law fall on December 20. I'd like to know if that's your personal opinion, the opinion of the Pivot Legal Society, and/or the opinion of the 200 lawyers who signed this letter?
Lawyer, Pivot Legal Society
I share that opinion with my colleague Kerry, and I want to ask Kerry if she would like an opportunity to speak to that.
That is my opinion and the opinion of the Pivot Legal Society.
Conservative
Stella Ambler Conservative Mississauga South, ON
Thank you. I do appreciate it, but I don't have much time left. I just wanted to know what you were referring to.
I'd like to know if you and the Pivot Legal Society disagree with the premise of putting johns and pimps away, and the principle of criminalizing the buying of sex, which is what this bill does.
Are you opposed to that principle?
Lawyer, Pivot Legal Society
Yes, we are opposed to that principle, on the basis that it's going to recreate the same harms that came up in Bedford.
Conservative
Stella Ambler Conservative Mississauga South, ON
Thank you.
My next comment is to the Smith family. I'd like to thank you for being here. I'd also like to thank you for telling the story of how your daughter was taken in by someone who represented himself like that. I had heard stories like that, but this was the first story we've heard at this committee. From what I hear, that's how a number of young girls do become involved and are taken in.
As the mother of a 19-year-old daughter, I heard your story and thought, “There but for the grace of God, go I”, and my family too. I want to thank you for the bravery and courage that must take, and for the work you've done in your daughter's name.
Also, thank you for bringing a picture to show us that she was a beautiful girl, and that she is still very much a part of your family.
Do I have time to ask a question to the Smiths?
Conservative
Stella Ambler Conservative Mississauga South, ON
Mr. and Mrs. Smith, I wonder what you think about the argument that we will never eradicate prostitution. I'm sure you could just answer that, if you don't mind. Do you think we should not bother trying and let the law fall, and let the chips fall where they may and hope that it all works out?
What do you think about that?
As an Individual
Well, let me speak to that.
From our experience, seeing all the destruction and damaged lives in our years of trying to work with people who are caught in this trap of prostitution, realistically I realize we will never eradicate prostitution completely. Having said that, we need to do everything we can to give hope to the people who are trapped. So often it's a story of despair that we hear. We need to fight and do everything we can to set the captives free.
Thank you.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative Mike Wallace
Thank you, Ms. Ambler, for those questions.
Thank you for those answers.
I want to thank the witnesses for coming today.
We will continue the discussion on this bill tomorrow and the next day. We'll be dealing with clause by clause, and we're going to have a discussion on that in the future.
Thank you very much for all of your input. It's been an excellent panel.
With that, I am going to recess for about three minutes while we clear the room, and then we will go in camera. We're going to review two things: one is a request that came to me about witnesses, which I want to clarify; and then what we're doing in the future, based on the letter and the e-mail you sent about clause by clause.
We will do that in two minutes.
[Proceedings continue in camera]