Status of Women committee  Not to my knowledge. The report, which discusses the subject at some length, implies that this is a very real phenomenon, but no actual research exists.

Status of Women committee  Not to my knowledge. We can continue to look into this.

Status of Women committee  I simply wanted to mention that researchers were really drawn to the subject of human trafficking during the 1980s. It would be difficult to find earlier studies covering this topic. However, studies have been done on prostitution in wartime. We could obtain copies of some of them for information purposes.

Status of Women committee  Mr. Richard Poulin is a sociologist at the University of Ottawa. Recently, he wrote a book on human trafficking. He is one of number of people who believe that prostitution and the sex trade in certain countries are linked. I imagine that in his testimony, he will explore the relationship between prostitution and human trafficking.

Status of Women committee  If I can add something, Leslie Ann Jeffrey did a lot of her work in the Philippines, if I'm not mistaken, so she has a very good background on the causes of human trafficking and why the women are going from one country to another. She discussed that in great detail. If you have the name of a person who you think would be very good to discuss some of the issues for other parts of the country, we would certainly add it to the list.

Status of Women committee  I simply wanted to point out that this work plan was only intended to facilitate the discussion. It contains all of the names suggested by committee members since last June, in addition to any suggested more recently by certain members. It includes all of the names put forward. As analysts, we have added several names of individuals who should have testified on Bill C-49, but who weren't able to appear owing to time constraints.The plan is construed in such a way as to broach the issue of human trafficking from three perspectives, namely, prevention, victim protection and prosecution of traffickers.

Status of Women committee  Our first three meetings will be devoted to examining human trafficking in Canada and internationally. During the first meeting, the committee will consider the position of departments heading up the interdepartmental task force on human trafficking and look at the issue overall.

Status of Women committee  These individuals are certainly capable of answering questions of this nature, if put by committee members.

Status of Women committee  First of all, I'd like to respond to Ms. Mourani. Regarding juvenile prostitution in Quebec, the problem has been linked in part to human trafficking. In meeting 10, plans are to hear from Jacques Casgrain, a lawyer in charge of the Bureau de lutte contre le crime organisé in Quebec City.

Status of Women committee  I can't say if the report established a direct link with trafficking in persons, but that possibility could be underscored to committee members.

Status of Women committee  There will be a report, two parts, from one of my colleagues at the Library of Parliament who's been looking at this question for some time. That report is an electronic document and has hyperlinks to many other resources. I suggest that if members have other information requirements after they have looked at it that perhaps you can come back to the analyst who'll be working with the committee and ask for more information.

Status of Women committee  The report Stolen Sisters was drafted by Amnesty International. I don't recall if trafficking in persons was discussed in the report, but I do know that it focussed on violence toward aboriginal women.