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Winnipeg Free Press - PRINT EDITION
Trafficking bill moves through Parliament
OTTAWA -- Winnipeg MP Joy Smith's bill to introduce minimum sentences for human trafficking of children passed another hurdle Wednesday.Human trafficking only became part of the Criminal Code in 2005. It carries a maximum sentence of 14 years in prison -- but no minimum. The first two convictions resulted in sentences of less than five years.
Human trafficking has become Smith's raison d'être. She was exposed to the issue through her son, a police officer: "To me, it's clear, if someone rapes a child, five years in prison is not too harsh," Smith said.
Her private member's bill came up for debate almost a month earlier than expected. MPs agreed to take the bill to a full vote of the house later this month. If it passes, the bill will move on to a parliamentary committee for further scrutiny and possible amendments.
Because it is a private member's bill, most MPs will be allowed to vote as they wish, not along any party lines.
Smith has the backing of her own caucus as well as many NDP and Liberal MPs. However, the opposition was critical of the Tories for the lack of a comprehensive strategy for human trafficking including prevention and targeted law enforcement.
mia.rabson@freepress.mb.ca
Republished from the Winnipeg Free Press print edition April 2, 2009 A7
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