Evidence of meeting #46 for Status of Women in the 40th Parliament, 2nd Session. (The original version is on Parliament’s site, as are the minutes.) The winning word was enforcement.
A recording is available from Parliament.
4:05 p.m.
Liberal
Anita Neville Liberal Winnipeg South Centre, MB
It's the prevention that I'm thinking of, when I ask about the intelligence.
4:05 p.m.
Supt Michel Aubin
Yes.
4:05 p.m.
Liberal
Anita Neville Liberal Winnipeg South Centre, MB
I wonder if the police department could give me a quick response in terms of their capability to respond to the issue.
4:05 p.m.
Inspector, Special Investigation Section, Vancouver Police Department
Thank you, ma'am.
In regard to responding to these investigations, my unit, the vice unit, has a total of nine members, and a lot of these investigations are very resource heavy. They usually take surveillance, sometimes some undercover work, some electronic surveillance also. We just did one recently.
As well, when we get to the point where we can execute a search warrant, say, on a bawdy house, we sometimes have problems with getting support from the victims, or the women. A lot of them are from out of country, especially the ones we see, the Asian-based ones. A lot of times we show up with members who speak different languages so we can have translators there. But again, it is very difficult, because they do return home, whether it be Hong Kong, Korea, Malaysia, these places. Initially they're on board, but if they leave the country, we have to get them back to testify. We do charge the keepers of these—
4:05 p.m.
Liberal
4:05 p.m.
Inspector, Special Investigation Section, Vancouver Police Department
I would say that's a fair comment. As well, the unit I supervise also deals a lot with Internet lurers, child exploitation, and child pornography, so whichever case comes forward, the whole unit goes with that case and we work together as a team.
4:05 p.m.
Liberal
Lise Zarac Liberal LaSalle—Émard, QC
Mr. Usui, I am surprised to hear you say that there has not been any increase. I am surprised to hear that, in the year before the Olympics, there has been no increase in disappearances. From reading the papers, it seems to me that more women and children have gone missing. Mr. Usui seems to be saying that this is not the case in Vancouver. Can the same be said for the rest of Canada?
4:10 p.m.
Supt Michel Aubin
We are aware of the fact that women have gone missing. As you know, we have a working group that is addressing the matter very seriously. It is possible for people to conclude that there is a link between the matter and human trafficking. But, without hard evidence, it can only be a suspicion. That is one of the things we are looking into. But we cannot say that there is a direct link between missing women and children and human trafficking.
4:10 p.m.
Liberal
Lise Zarac Liberal LaSalle—Émard, QC
I suppose it cannot be easy. People may be from outside the country. They may also be from here. It seems very complicated. You also mentioned the Internet and tool kits.
Personally, I believe in prevention. When you say tool kits, can you tell me what form they take? What tips you off that human trafficking is about to take place?
4:10 p.m.
Supt Michel Aubin
In terms of prevention...
4:10 p.m.
Supt Michel Aubin
Excuse me, Madam?
4:10 p.m.
Director General, Law Enforcement and Border Strategies Directorate, Department of Public Safety
You had 30 seconds; you have 20 now.
4:10 p.m.
Supt Michel Aubin
Thank you.
In terms of prevention, the national coordination centre stresses prevention. Initially, prevention was done through law enforcement agencies and prosecutors, to raise their awareness of the problem. This year, the national centre is concentrating on victims and on specific groups, like young people. A lot of work is done in this area, we focus on prevention together with awareness. This is the starting point, but it is not the only focus. We also work in the areas of enforcement and intelligence.
4:10 p.m.
Liberal
Lise Zarac Liberal LaSalle—Émard, QC
Editorial note: inaudible, you reach out to groups of young people. Do I understand correctly? How do you work on prevention?
I am finished.
Thank you, Madam Chair.
4:10 p.m.
Supt Michel Aubin
Yes. There are specific groups that have been identified, whether they're aboriginal groups or minority groups. We're working directly through NGOs to provide prevention training, because we feel these groups are at risk.
4:10 p.m.
Bloc
Nicole Demers Bloc Laval, QC
Thank you, Madam Chair.
Thank you for being here today.
At the outset, I have to say that I am quite astonished to see how great the gap is between your perception of how things are developing and your preparedness, and the perception of people on the spot. By that, I mean the prostitutes and pimps, especially in Toronto and Montreal. I am more familiar with the situation in Montreal.
I also have to say that, since you appeared before us in June, there have been no advances in what you have decided to do. It is as if what you had decided to do was fine and that you were sticking with it. There has been no move to modify your plans.
Mr. Desautels, you told us that 44 people had been referred to CIC up to December 2008. Since that date, has no one else also been referred to CIC? Where are these people?
Could you also talk to us about border security? Last week, customs officials told me that they were intercepting a lot of weapons and they were filing reports about it, but that the reports were ending up in the shredder.
Is the same thing going to happen with the information on the people who are detained at the border? I I am very concerned, because there is a big gap between what you are telling us and the perception on the ground. However, I understand that those of you at the top feel sure that you are right and that everything is unfolding as it should. Could the shortcomings be at other levels? Do you have ways of checking that?
4:10 p.m.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Hedy Fry
Monsieur Desautels was the one who was asked the question--or does it matter?
4:10 p.m.
Director, Operational Management Coordination, Temporary Resident Program Delivery, Department of Citizenship and Immigration Canada
Concerning the 44 individuals, that was the statistic as of the end of December 2008. We continue to get referrals from CBSA and our other partners. I was only reflecting where we were as of December 2008.
4:10 p.m.
Bloc
Nicole Demers Bloc Laval, QC
Okay, but this is now 2009, with the Olympics only two months away. I would have liked a more precise idea. On the eve of the Olympics, where are we? That is really why we wanted to invite you. You have just told what you already told us in June.