Following the announcement of today's (May 11, 2006) new measures by the Hon. Monte Solberg, Mrs. Joy Smith, Member of Parliament for Kildonan - St. Paul, made the following statement in the House of Commons:

"Mr. Speaker, the trafficking of women and children from other countries into Canada is a horrific crime - a crime that has gone unchecked for too long. Women forced into sex slavery in Canada need our help. They are often victims of organized crime.

"Today, the Minister of Citizenship and Immigration announced new measures to help victims of human trafficking. First, victims of human trafficking will receive temporary residence permits for up to 120 days so that they can recover from their ordeal, and decide if they want to help in the prosecution of their traffickers. Second, the government will give these victims medical support and access to counselling services to help them begin to recover. This in contrast to the treatment given to trafficking victims by the old Liberal government which got a failing grade in March 2006 in a report by The Future Group.

"I'm proud to be a part of this new Conservative government that cares for victims and gets tough on criminals.  Canada will no longer be a haven for the trafficking of women and children.  The freedom of these victims is our cause."

Question Period: Hon. Minister of Citizenship and Immigration

House of Commons, Ottawa - May 11, 2006

The Speaker: The Honourable Member for Palliser.

Dave Batters, MP: Mr. Speaker, the United Nations estimates that 700,000 people, mostly women and children, are victims of human traffickers around the world each year.  Despite promises to act, the previous Liberal government failed to protect victims of human trafficking.  Once again, this government promised action and has delivered.  Can the immigration minister tell this House of his plans to protect people from human trafficking?

The Speaker: The honourable Minister of Citizenship and Immigration

Hon. Monte Solberg: Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, for years, Canada has been roundly criticized for failing to take action to protect the victims of human trafficking.  In fact, in March, there was another report that came out that was sharply critical of the government.  We have moved under the leadership of this Prime Minister, Mr. Speaker.  He has made it a priority to ensure that we help the victims of human trafficking.  We've put in place a number of new measures today. Measures that have been applauded by the Canadian Council for Refugess, the R.C.M.P., The Future Group and many other groups, Mr. Speaker.  That's the type of action we get from this Prime Minister.