Joy Smith

[Criminal Code, November 21st, 2007]

moved for leave to introduce Bill C-486, An Act to amend the Criminal code (protection from sexual interference).

Mr. Speaker, it is an honour to present this bill today, especially because my own son worked in the ICE, or integrated child exploitation, unit. Canada needs stronger laws that not only target people looking for information to exploit children, but also to severely penalize those who advertise or distribute this type of information.

Along with our government's efforts to tackle violent crime, the bill focuses on tackling exploitive crimes against children. It is an honour to put this bill forward because, as we all know, human trafficking and the exploitation of children is on the rise across the globe and here in Canada and we all need to do things to ensure this terrible crime stops.

(Motions deemed adopted, bill read the first time and printed)

[Justice, November 19th, 2007]

Mr. Speaker, in Saudi Arabia, there have been disturbing reports that a woman who was the victim of a multiple rape has now been convicted by the Saudi courts and sentenced to 200 lashes.

Could the Minister for the Status of Women advise the House of the government's reaction to this news?

[Child Exploitation, November 19th, 2007]

Mr. Speaker, just last week the Edmonton police revealed they were investigating two suspected human trafficking rings believed to be part of an international network involving hundreds of young Canadian children. In the past month, two Canadian child sex tourists were arrested for preying on children abroad.

The exploitation of children worldwide is a horrific crime and it must be stopped.

I am proud that our government and our Prime Minister stand strongly against trafficking of persons and the exploitation of children. Canada has already made large strides to address human trafficking and child exploitation and I know that our government will continue to fight this injustice.

I look forward to working alongside the Minister of Public Safety, the Minister of Justice, and the Minister of Citizenship and Immigration to further our work in this area.

Together we can end human trafficking. Together we can end the sexual exploitation of children.

[Status of Women, November 1st, 2007]

Mr. Speaker, this morning, my colleague, the Minister of Canadian Heritage and Status of Women, highlighted the good work our government is doing for Canadian women.

It is disappointing to hear opposition parties repeatedly misleading this House by suggesting that our government made cuts to Status of Women. Nothing could be further from the truth. We moved money from administration and directed it toward Canadian women in the form of projects that actually change lives.

Could the minister update the House on this support?

[Sitting Resumed, November 1st, 2007]

Mr. Speaker, it is disappointing to hear opposition parties repeatedly say day after day and mislead the House by suggesting that our government has put women in a bad position by making cuts. In the status of women committee we hear over and over again that cuts were made to the Status of Women. Nothing could be farther from the truth.

Members opposite know we moved money from administration and put it directly toward Canadian women's projects. Canadian women all across the country are setting up organizations and using that money at the grassroots to do things that people in their communities appreciate.

Led by Liliane Kohl and Peggy Sakow, an organization against human trafficking has been set up. I am sure at some point in time this organization will feel free also to make an application. There are all kinds of different projects like that.

How can the member across the way stand in the House of Commons and say that we have made those cuts from the Status of Women and from Canadian women across the country? How can she do that in all good conscience when this money goes directly to the projects on the ground for these women?

[Petitions, October 31st, 2007]

Mr. Speaker, today I am submitting three sets of petitions from Waterloo, Kitchener, London, Guelph and Burlington, Ontario and also from Edmonton, Alberta. The petitioners are calling on the government to continue its work to combat the human trafficking crime that is rising in Canada.

[Petitions, October 29th, 2007]

Mr. Speaker, I have a hundreds of names on a petition that people from across Canada have sent in concerning the growing crime of human trafficking on our soil.

The petitioners appeal to our government and Parliament to continue efforts to combat the horrific crime of human trafficking.

[Petitions, October 24th, 2007]

Mr. Speaker, today I am submitting a petition from B.C. with hundreds of names on it. The petitioners are asking the government to continue its work on combating human trafficking, a crime that is growing across Canada.

[Petitions, October 22nd, 2007]

Mr. Speaker, I am presenting two petitions today. One has hundreds of names on it from people in Montreal. The other has numerous names on it from people in Winnipeg, Manitoba.

The petitioners call upon the government to continue to work on combatting the horrendous crime of trafficking of persons.

[Resumption of debate on Address in Reply, October 22nd, 2007]

Mr. Speaker, I would like to direct a question to my colleague across the House. Throughout the time that our new government has been in office, many things have occurred but on this side of the House and we get the job done.

However, there has been a problem in the Senate. Would the member comment on whether or not he supports Senate reform?