Mr. Speaker, we look to children as the future of our society. Why then do some members of society treat children as chattels rather than treasures?
One million children under 18 work as prostitutes in Asia and another one million children worldwide enter the sex trade every year. These are shameful statistics. This is an international problem, one we must eradicate not only in Canada but in the rest of the world.
A first step is to pass Bill C-27, which would assist in the apprehension and prosecution of those who seek out and use child prostitutes, whether the crime is committed inside or outside Canada. This law will protect children from those who prey on them.
I call on the government to initiate other measures as well which would serve to protect our most important natural resource, our children.