Ottawa, ON: June 29, 2010 marks an historical event, with Bill C-268 receiving Royal Assent. This bill is an Act to Amend the Criminal Code (minimum sentence for offences involving trafficking of persons under the age of eighteen years). Bill C-268 was signed by Justice Rothstein and read by the Speaker of the Canadian Senate, giving the Bill Royal Assent by written declaration.
The Bill amends Canada’s Criminal Code by introducing a new human trafficking offence specifically addressing child traffickers. The new law will provide a minimum sentence of five years imprisonment for anyone convicted of trafficking a minor in Canada and a minimum of six years imprisonment for cases with aggravating factors.
Bill C-268 was introduced as a Private Member’s Bill to the House of Commons by Member of Parliament for Kildonan-St. Paul, Joy Smith on January 29, 2009. It passed a final vote in the House of Commons on September 30 of the same year with the overwhelming support of the Conservative, Liberal and NDP parties. Only the Bloc Quebecois and a few NDP MPs opposed it.
The Bill was then introduced to the Senate on October 1, 2010 and faced a final vote on June 17 of this year. A bill requires Royal Assent before it comes into force, which occurred on June 29, 2010.
“I am delighted by the strong support that Canadians have shown for the protection of our children,” commented MP Joy Smith. “Just before Canadians celebrate Canada Day on July 1st, Canadians also celebrate the passage of Bill C-268 into Canadian law. Canada is a proud country and stands firmly against those who exploit children.”
Bill C-268 is the first and only Private Members’ Bill to be passed by Parliament since the last election in 2008. The passing of Bill C-268 is even more significant since it amends the Criminal Code. Prior to this legislation, only 14 Private Members’ Bills containing Criminal Code amendments have been adopted by the Canadian Parliament since Confederation.
“This is an historic moment for all Canadians,” commented Mrs. Smith. “Today we have taken a strong stance against the modern version of slavery. I know that I speak for all Canadians when I say that our children are not for sale!”
There has been considerable support for Bill C-268 by a large number of ethnic, faith-based and law enforcement organizations. In addition, Mrs. Smith has reached out to all Canadian communities from coast to coast advising them of this barbaric crime. In doing so she received many petitions with tens of thousands of signatures of those who support her work.
In addition, people world wide have been calling on Canada to do more to fight human trafficking. The US State Department has identified Canada as a source, transit and destination country for human trafficking. Prior to Bill C-268, Canada was one of the few developed countries that did not enforce mandatory minimum sentences for trafficking children.
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