With regard to the investigations and legal proceedings, I am aware of what happened in Laval, Ms. Demers. We are doing a great deal to make the police forces as well as the federal and provincial Crown prosecutors more aware of these problems. I will not speak about that particular case, but it goes without saying that prosecutions always depend on the evidence that has been gathered. I do not think that we should use this particular case as an example that would apply throughout all of Canada. However, I can tell you that a few years ago, there were five convictions in Canada. Currently, 17 cases involving trafficking in persons are before Canadian courts. The situation is improving thanks to greater awareness and training.
One must also take into account that the Criminal Code is not the only legislation that applies. The Immigration and Refugee Protection Act also contains provisions that can be used for international cases. It is up to the prosecutor to determine what charges can be laid, in keeping with the evidence that has been gathered. One of the tasks that our coordination centre does is to train police officers to investigate such crimes so as to prove forcible confinement and coercion.