Mr. Speaker, fewer than two weeks ago in Toronto I met with the advisory council created by the Attorney General of Ontario on this subject.
Twenty-five women from the communities most affected by the issue are preparing a report on the question with specific recommendations on the issue of criminalization. Their present view is that an amendment to the Criminal Code is not appropriate because it will drive the practice further underground and make it more difficult for us to punish it when it is found.
I cannot emphasize strongly enough the commitment of the government to prosecute and punish this criminal misconduct when it is uncovered. However, I must say there are people very familiar with the issue who believe very strongly that it is not in the interest of that cause to make amendments to the Criminal Code as suggested.