Honourable Chair and members of Parliament, recently in the “Canada/World” section of the The Hamilton Spectator, the headline in big, bold letters read “12 Million People in Bondage”. It immediately captured the reader's attention. The question in one's mind became, “What is this issue that has 12 million people in bondage?” With true astonishment, the reader soon realizes that those referred to as being in bondage are in fact victims of human trafficking.
The issue of trafficking is of great concern to the Ukrainian Canadian Congress, its 27 member organizations, and the general Ukrainian Canadian community, as it is to all other citizens of Canada. Trafficking is a high-profit, low-risk enterprise, often with strong links to organized crime. Trafficking across international borders, as we know, affects more than 800,000 persons a year, and most are trafficked into the sex trade either against their will or under coercive circumstances. Sadly, 80% of these are women and girls and up to 50% are minors. Trafficking of humans constitutes horrific acts of slavery, the shameful assault on the dignity of children, the exploitation of the vulnerable for profit. It has become the second fastest-growing crime in the world.
More and more women are leaving their homelands in search of a better life and are ending up as victims of trafficking in human beings and of prostitution. They are promised honest jobs, but upon arrival are forced to work as prostitutes to pay off the cost of their trip. In pursuing their dream, they find themselves living a nightmare.
Victor Malarek's book, The Natashas, very explicitly reveals many of the ways in which this criminal element carries out its mission. The true-life incidents related in this book are shocking and unbelievable.
I have a brief quote from his book:
What happens to most trafficked women, whether they were tricked, abducted or willing is criminal. They are forced into situations of profound terror, comparable to being held hostage. They are immediately deprived of their travel documents and their every movement is tightly controlled and restricted. Potential buyers test-drive the women, much like the way we test-drive new cars.
We cannot allow these atrocities against humankind to continue. Although we are pleased with the announcement this past summer by the Minister of Citizenship and Immigration regarding some new measures to assist the victims of human trafficking in Canada, there certainly is a great deal more that must be done in this respect.
As a result of a round table on this topic chaired by Irena Soltys, chair of the coalition against trafficking, the Ukrainian Canadian Congress passed a resolution in October of 2004 directing the congress to sensitize the Government of Canada and relevant federal agencies on this issue and to support projects initiated within the community to raise awareness of this horrific crime.
One of the ways we chose to implement this resolution was to partner with Member of Parliament Joy Smith to raise awareness of this crime against humanity. As well, we have addressed the issue with both the Minister of Citizenship and Immigration and the Minister of Foreign Affairs.
The following are some of the concerns raised during our discussions, along with some recommendations.
Those guilty of these crimes against humanity must be found and appropriately dealt with. Existing legislation must be strictly enforced, including penalties of up to life imprisonment and fines of up to $1 million for conviction for trafficking in persons.
Trafficked persons may be reluctant to go to police or to doctors for assistance; therefore, a 1-800 hotline number must be established and clearly made available. Shelters must be made available, where victims can seek refuge and protection. Welcome packages must include the above information, as well as instructions regarding the protection of one's passport.
Customs officers must be made aware of the intricacies of the traffickers and the influence they have on the victims and must be skilled in recognizing these improprieties. A service-wide mandatory training program must be initiated.
And we're suggesting the age of consent must be raised from 14 to 16.
Internationally, the Government of Canada should work toward greater cooperation in striving to eliminate transnational trafficking trade and organized crime rings, working with consulates of sending countries to ensure trafficking awareness of visa applicants, and rehabilitating and assisting victims' safe return home. Canada's role as a signatory of the UN Protocol to Prevent, Suppress and Punish Trafficking in Persons must be made a top priority.
Together we must strive for total abolition of human trafficking. Future generations will not be helped by those who turn a blind eye to this vicious crime today. We have a duty in this respect, and we cannot stand idly by and allow these atrocities to continue. We must turn our outrage into action, and we very strongly urge the Canadian government to be a leader in this respect.
Thank you.