Human Trafficking - Joy's HT Updates - February 2011 Update

Dear friends,

 

As many of you know, yesterday the provincial government of Ontario announced it would be stepping up the fight against human trafficking. This included $1.9million in funding for law enforcement, prosecutors and victim service provides. This is great news! As I said in my last update, I believe this year will hold some big changes in Canada and it is exciting to witness some of the first steps.  

 

February’s update includes:

 

           

1. National Action Plan To Combat Human Trafficking

2. Online Videos

3. Human Trafficking Presentations

            4. Freedom February

            5. She Has A Name – Human Trafficking Play

6. Upcoming Events

7. In the News

 

 

1. National Action Plan to Combat Human Trafficking

Today, February 22, 2011, will be the 4th Anniversary of the unanimous passing of my Motion, M-153 by the House of Commons. Motion M-153 both condemned human trafficking and called for the government to develop a strategy to combat human trafficking here in Canada and abroad.

 

M-153 — May 3, 2006 — Mrs. Smith (Kildonan—St. Paul) — That, in the opinion of the House, the trafficking of women and children across international borders for the purposes of sexual exploitation should be condemned, and that the House call on the government to immediately adopt a comprehensive strategy to combat the trafficking of persons worldwide.

 

As many of you know, I have drafted a proposal for a National Action Plan to Combat Human Trafficking. (you can read it here). I have also drafted a petition to present in Parliament urging the development of a National Action Plan. In light of this anniversary, I would encourage you to take a few moments to download the petition and distribute it for signatures. Already I have presented a few thousand signatures in Parliament and I am hoping to present many more during the spring session. (Download in French or English here)

 

I am always inspired by British Parliamentarian and abolitionist, William Wilberforce, who presented a petition containing 800,000 signatures, representing 10% of the British population at the time. I am sure we can match this and more.

 
 

2. Online Videos

I have recently began to upload videos to Vimeo, a online video website that allows for HiDefinition uploads. It now features the Q&A section from the National Action Plan press conference last fall as well as statements about human trafficking that I have made in the House of Commons. Look out for more videos to be added from events and presentations. You can view the current videos here: http://vimeo.com/joysmithmp/albums. Note - this site also allows you to download my videos if you would like to use them at an event or presentation.

 
 

3. Human Trafficking Presentations

Each month I receive many invitations to speak at events or conferences. When I am not bound by my parliamentary duties and schedule, I try to attend as many as possible. However, for the events I am not able to attend, I have started to offer a video message or presentation.

 

If you are holding a human trafficking event and would like me to speak or provide a video message, please contact my office at 613-992-7148 or by email smithj8@parl.gc.ca. I would be delighted to contribute in whatever way I can.

 
 

4. Freedom February

February is not over and you still have an opportunity to help combat human trafficking. Check out the helpful list created by [free-them]. Remember that you can also do many of the actions throughout the year as well.

 

Check out the full list here on their website: http://www.freethem.ca/ or on Facebook http://www.facebook.com/freethemnow.

 

 

5. She Has A Name World Premiere – Human Trafficking Play

 

burnt thicket theatre, in partnership with raise their voice, proudly presents:

 

SHE HAS A NAME

by Andrew Kooman

World Premiere

 

February 23 - March 5, 2011 in Calgary:

EPCOR CENTRE's Motel, 205 - 8 Ave SE

 

March 9-12, 2011 in Red Deer:

Scott Block Theatre, 4816 - 50 Ave

 

Buy Tickets Online here: http://www.burntthicket.com/she-has-a-name.html

Showtime 8pm

 

Haunted by anguished voices, a lawyer poses as a john to build a legal case against a brothel trafficking girls into Bangkok. Can Jason win the trust of a young prostitute known only as Number 18 and convince her to risk her life to testify for the sake of justice?

 

 

6. Upcoming Events

  

February 26, 2011 – CFHT Volunteer Orientation – Toronto, ON

 

Canada Fights Human Trafficking is holding volunteer orientations in Toronto and in other cities across Canada over the next few months. Visit their website to download the volunteer form and application process.

 

http://www.canadafightshumantrafficking.com/volunteers.html

 

For those of you who would like to get more involved in your community, please consider attending the orientation when it comes to your city.

 

The next one is February 26 in Toronto.

                       

           

Tuesday, March 1st, 2011 – Human Trafficking in Canada Panel – Ottawa, ON

 

Crime Prevention Ottawa presents a panel discussion featuring kenote speaker : RCMP Cst. Lucien Remillard and panelists Meghan Adams, chair, Ottawa Coalition to End Human Trafficking and Eileen Kerwin Jones, Member of PACT (Persons Against the Crime of Trafficking in humans) Ottawa.

 

Tuesday, March 1st, 2011

Ottawa City Hall, 110 Laurier Avenue West                                 

7:30 a.m. Coffee will be served in Councillor’s Lounge-

Presentation: 8:00 to 9:30 a.m. - Champlain Room (Heritage Building)

r.s.v.p. to Francine Demers, Crime Prevention Ottawa (limited space)

 francine.demers@ottawa.ca or 613-580-2424 ext. 22454

 

 

March 8 – International Women’s Day – Multiple Locations Across Canada

 

           

            Vancouver BC - Prostitution and Women’s Equality

 

                        March 8 - Victoria Public Library’s Central Branch, 6-8pm

Featuring:

Gunilla Ekberg – International Women’s Human Rights Consultant

Trisha Baptie – Formerly Exploited Voices now Educating (EVE)

Lee Lakeman – Canadian Association of Sexual Assault Centres

 

March 10: Vancouver Downtown Library’s Alice Mackay Room, 7-9pm

Featuring:

Gunilla Ekberg – International Women’s Human Rights Consultant

Aboriginal Women’s Action Network (AWAN)

Trisha Baptie – Formerly Exploited Voices now Educating (EVE)

 

 

For more information contact Michelle Miller @ 604.725.3838

or Trisha Baptie @ 604.518.4798

 

            Woodstock ON – Zonta Club’s International Women’s Day Breakfast

 
                        Tuesday March 8 – Quality Inn, Woodstock ON

                        7:00am-8:45am – Tickets are $20

                        This year’s keynote speaker will present on human trafficking.

 

 

March 6-13, 2011 – Freedom Week – Langley/Vancouver, BC

 

There will be events all week long including benefit concerts, plays, art shows and key events on March 12-13.

 

Saturday March 12: Freedom Walk

Sponsored by International Justice Mission Canada

Hosted by Langley City and Langley Township

Organizations: Pearl Alliance, Salvation Army, Dalit Freedom Network, Exodus Cry, Not for Sale, and REED.

Speakers: Benjamin Perrin, M.P. Joy Smith, M.P. Mark Warawa

 

Sunday March 13: International Freedom Day

Benefit Dinner Sunday Night

 

For more information, contact Tara Teng, Miss BC 2010 at missbc@courageproductions.comor Todd Hauptman at thauptman@gmail.com.

 

 

7. In The News

 

Below are a number of articles that appeared over the past few weeks on human trafficking which you may be interested in reading.

 

Feb 18, 2011 – Invidiata fights slavery of human trafficking  – Oakville Beaver

Feb 17, 2011 – Ontario takes aim at human trafficking – Toronto Star

Feb 17, 2011 – 'Slave' charges cut from bawdy case – Edmonton Sun

Jan 28, 2010 – Canadians being trafficked here at home – Winnipeg Sun

Jan 28, 2010 – Suspected pimps' mugshots sent to strip clubs  – Sun Media

Jan 27, 2010 – Red light district already here – Toronto Sun

           

 

 

Keep pressing forward!

 

 

Sincerely,

 

Joy Smith, MP

Kildonan – St. Paul