Child trafficking bill receives royal assent

The new law will provide a minimum sentence of five years imprisonment for people convicted of trafficking a minor in Canada. Cases with aggravating factors will receive a minimum of six years imprisonment.

The bill was introduced to the House of Commons by Joy Smith, MP of Kildonan-St. Paul in January, 2009. The bill was introduced to the Senate in October, and it is the first and only private member’s bill to be passed by Parliament since the last election in 2008.

Prior to this legislation, only 14 private members bill’s containing Criminal Code amendments have been adopted by the Canadian Parliament. Prior to Bill C-268, Canada was one of few developed countries that did not enforce a minimum sentence for child trafficking.

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