In Vancouver, British Columbia Canada, NCJW, Canada-Vancouver Section partnered with Temple Sholom Sisterhood, Women of Reform Judaism to present a very powerful public forum. The event was well publicized to the general public. The December 18th, 2009 edition of The Jewish Independent, the Vancouver Jewish newspaper, had a front page article, continuing for two additional pages on the event and subject (which you can access online).

Currently the Canadaian parliament is prorogued. The Senate usually ratifies Bills passed by the Legislature. Prior to the Christmas break, The Senate ratifies Bills passed by the Legislature. In this case our Lower House- The Legislative Assembly passed Bill C-268, a private member’s Bill. One obstreperous Senator in the Upper House - Anne Cools, delayed its passage. Letters were sent to all of the Canadian Senators - the letter is below.

When our parliament resumes a strong letter writing campaign will follow: hopefully with Toronto, Winnipeg, Edmonton and Vancouver National Council Women sending their words and voices to the Senate.

Honourable Senators,
Canada ratified the UN Trafficking Protocol-Protocol to Prevent, Suppress and Punish Trafficking in Persons, Especially Women and Children (Supplementing the United Nations Convention Against Trans-national Organized Crime), in 2002. I have cited article 3 for your edification.

Article 3 Use of terms for the purposes of the protocol:

(a)  “Trafficking in persons” shall mean the recruitment, transportation, transfer, harbouring or receipt of persons, by means of the threat or use of force or other forms of coercion, of abduction, of fraud, of deception, of the abuse of power or of a position of vulnerability or of the giving or of the receiving of payment or benefits to achieve the consent of a person having control over another person, for the purpose of exploitation. Exploitation shall include, at a minimum, the exploitation of the prostitution of others or other forms of sexual exploitation, forced labour or services, slavery or practices similar to slavery, servitude or the removal of organs.

Anne Cools' recent statement at the Senate that “Human trafficking is not slavery”, demonstrates her lack of awareness and understanding of the UN Protocol and the added provisions to the Criminal Code of Canada, Section 279.04-Exploitation, Nov.2005.

Bill C-268 is being held in the Senate without discussion. Bill C-268, Mandatory Minimum Sentencing for Traffickers of Minors needs to be addressed. In a civil society children are valued and protected.

After your Christmas break, when you return to deliberations, please give consideration to Bill C-268.

Respectfully yours,

Marni Besser
National Council of Jewish Women, Canada- Vancouver Section
Temple Sholom Sisterhood Social Action, Women of Reform Judaism