Thank you, Mr. Menegakis.

I would also be quick to point out that, through the good work of many of the police agencies, the investigators, those on the front line, we've actually seen, as a result of some of this legislation, that they have now been able to make some arrests of perpetrators, of those who prey on vulnerable people. Quite frankly, they were the target of these changes. Perpetrators, pimps, johns, those who are purchasing, that's where much of this focus is and should be.

We also announced, you're right, a complementary fund of $20 million over the next five years to help with the compassionate work of helping those who are vulnerable to leave, to exit, prostitution, which is an inherently dangerous way to make a living, if I can put it that way. We've directed these funds to deliver some of the front-line services that are happening now. Make no mistake about it, there is a lot of incredibly important work being done. This will buttress those efforts. It may allow for some new programs to emerge that will be available to those who wish to exit. With that overall approach of targeting programs to help those who are in danger and those who are most in need to leave, to find employment, to go through retraining, sometimes it's as simple as having a place to live, accessing child care, and being able to find a safe place to regroup and emerge with a better way of life.

That additional funding is part and parcel of the bill itself. To return to some of the other questions, it comes as a result of a number of overlapping areas on which we're trying to focus on the preventative side, whether it's addictions issues or whether it's people who were victimized themselves at a very young age, who are impoverished, who lack the opportunity and the ability, in some cases, to walk away from that life. Human trafficking is of course very much associated with this issue. We've had targeted efforts in that regard as well with certain legislation. People like Joy Smith have been leaders in the country. The online aspect of exploitation very much impacts in prostitution, as does the advertising. It does require that very holistic, far-reaching approach. The programming for the exit strategy is a piece of that.

As I mentioned, we're starting to roll out now those specific funds, because they've been, and I say this with some regret, oversubscribed. I wish I could report to you that there wasn't the need. There is massive need in this regard. We'll have to look in the future at that targeted amount and also be able to report to your earlier question with regard to how efficacious we've been in delivering and getting results.

Peter MacKay

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