Thank you, Madam Chair.
Welcome, ladies, and thank you for being here today.
I would like to pursue the same line of questioning as my colleague. According to the UNODC, 92% of victims of human trafficking are used for prostitution, and 48% of them are children.
Bill C-49, which includes a number of variables that I intend to list, criminalizes trafficking in persons. You said earlier that you make a distinction between human trafficking and prostitution.
Do you not think that drawing a distinction between human trafficking and prostitution ultimately makes no sense, in a way? Ninety-two per cent of the victims of human trafficking are used for prostitution. If Canada were to legalize procuring, would that distinction not conflict with Bill C-49? Also, would it not help to open up a market where organized crime already plays a prominent role? Would this not allow organized crime to operate even more freely, since Canada would harbour individuals engaged in procuring? Prostitution has not yet been criminalized, but procuring has. The average age of people getting into prostitution is 14. Do you believe that consent could ever be given under these conditions?
I read that 92% of women who engage in prostitution want to get out of it. Do you not think this sends a strange message, both nationally and internationally? Experts in the field have often said that a distinction has to be made between human trafficking and prostitution. I think this sends a strange message.