Justice committee  Like Ms. Dionne, I agree that we need to provide these victims with health and social services and, as a result, support the provinces. All of that is expensive. We have ten recommendations, one being support for the provinces. I will tell you that success also depends on a chang

Justice committee  Aboriginal women are tremendously overrepresented among female prostitutes. That absolutely sad state of affairs is due to a number of factors, including acculturation and migration to cities. It's quite a terrible problem. I will let Ms. Dionne speak to the trafficking dimensio

Justice committee  I simply wanted to say that the Government of Quebec just launched an initiative to combat violence against women that focuses on aboriginal women. We haven't seen any results yet, as it was just announced not that long ago.

Justice committee  I never meant to suggest that. I was saying that trafficking people for the purpose of sexual exploitation always leads to prostitution, but not the reverse. You are right to point out that we must not overlook women—and men, for that matter—who are in that situation. We don't h

Justice committee  I would also say that we support consecutive sentences, especially given that the Criminal Code already provides for that in the case of other crimes. I am thinking of possessing and making explosives or using a firearm, be it real or fake, in the commission of an offence. When y

Justice committee  It depends. I said gangs because we know of situations in Montreal where street gangs of young men are involved in this kind of trafficking. But I would not venture to say that it is the norm.

Justice committee  Yes, because they are places that are tolerated, given the legal vacuum, so to speak. Perhaps I shouldn't call it a vacuum. Let's just say that there have been conflicting rulings on lap dancing. Does it constitute prostitution? According to the latest information, I believe it d

Justice committee  In general, I agree with Louise Dionne. We also consider that the principles in this action plan are a step in the right direction. To be perfectly frank, unlike British Columbia, Quebec has no shelters for women who are victims of trafficking. In general, we have no specialize

Justice committee  By definition, the victim's cooperation is needed for a court appearance. But the victim goes through various stages: she loves her pimp, she does not love him any more, she sees qualities in him, and so on. With young victims, especially very impressionable ones, it can be diffi

Justice committee  In June, the arguments will be heard. We feel that it is very difficult. Up until now, the Ontario courts have emphasized the prostitutes' right to safety and so have found that the sections of the Criminal Code dealing with brothels and procuring are unconstitutional, because th

Justice committee  It is really complicated. You are all going to be faced with the Supreme Court decision. In June, the court will rule on the decisions—

Justice committee  That is true, it can take up to one or two years. Perhaps you won't still be here.

Justice committee  I would be happy to explain my understanding of the difference between the sections on procuring and those on trafficking. They are connected, of course, but the big difference is in determining whether the victim is forced, in a number of ways, to engage in prostitution. The di

Justice committee  Yes, because if you are guilty of trafficking, you are guilty of procuring. However, the converse is not necessarily true.

Justice committee  Thank you for having me. I will deliver my presentation in French. The Quebec Council on the Status of Women is an advisory and review body that has sought to promote and defend the rights and interests of Quebec women since 1973. As such, we have developed an expertise on pr