Mr. Speaker, may I first emphasize that I share the hon. member's concern and sense of urgency, but I want to emphasize that it is not a situation in which nothing is being done.
The issue gained prominence in the spring primarily by virtue of the report by Dr. Glenda Simms and the national committee which she chairs. When I inquired about it, I found that the provincial attorneys general in the provinces where this practice is an issue are hard at work with task forces, with police and enforcement efforts and they continue.
The advice I received from those active in the field was that a Criminal Code amendment was not the answer. What is needed
is to get into the communities, spread the word, gather evidence and prosecute when it is appropriate.
One of the problems is getting people to come forward to testify. That is one of the problems. I do not think a change in the Criminal Code will get at that.