moved for leave to introduce Bill C-206, an act to amend the Criminal Code (prostitution).
Mr. Speaker, constituents of my riding are deeply concerned with the plaguing problem of street prostitution. They want the penalties made tougher in order to make control easier. They remember when the law was different and we did not have the pervasive street trade.
The way the Criminal Code reads now, public communication to obtain sexual services carries only a penalty of summary conviction. In most cases the offender is given a summons, like a traffic ticket, which brings a fine.
This bill will amend section 213 of the Criminal Code, making the penalty of communicating either an indictable offence with imprisonment not exceeding 10 years or a summary conviction. It makes the section a hybrid or an electable offence.
The amendment will give the system a procedural option, something the police in my riding have been asking for. I urge the justice minister and all members of this House to strongly consider this vital improvement.
(Motions deemed adopted, bill read the first time and printed.)