moved for leave to introduce Bill C-292, An Act to amend the Criminal Code (victim protection).
Mr. Speaker, I am please to rise to introduce my bill focused on strengthening protection for survivors of human trafficking and on addressing serious gaps in our justice system. The statistics are troubling, but behind every number is a person overlooked, a person whose experiences did not fit neatly within the protections of our existing laws. We have a responsibility to ensure that our laws respond to the realities too many of our most vulnerable people continue to face.
The legislation would strengthen Canada's response by holding traffickers accountable, removing barriers to justice and ensuring that traffickers' offences carry meaningful consequences. It would protect vulnerable witnesses, close gaps in our courts and give survivors a greater opportunity to have their voices heard. At its core, the bill is about ensuring that people who are targeted, exploited and silenced are seen, heard and protected.
(Motions deemed adopted, bill read the first time and printed)