New legislation proposed to curb online child exploitation would establish stronger penalties for sex predators, including mandatory sentences and no chance of house arrest.
The Conservative bill, tabled in Ottawa on Thursday, would establish mandatory prison sentences for seven existing Criminal Code offences – including sexual and aggravated assault – and create two new offences intended to prevent child exploitation.
Justice Minister Rob Nicholson said the new offences would make it illegal to give sexually explicit material for a child for the purpose of committing a sexual offence. This is known as "grooming."
The bill would also make it illegal for two adults to use the Internet to arrange to commit a sexual offence against a child.
Nicholson has spoken out against online advertising sites that allow the posting of sexual services.
Earlier this week, Nicholson sent a letter to the U.S.-based auction site Craigslist, asking it to remove Canadian notices for erotic services. He said he was concerned the service encouraged child exploitation and human trafficking.
Craigslist recently deleted erotic services advertisements from its U.S. site. In his letter, Nicholson said the problem was just as pressing in Canada.
Politicians in Manitoba, Alberta and Ontario have already objected to the ads.
The newly proposed bill would also remove the possibility of someone convicted of such offences to receive conditional sentences such as house arrest.
With files from The Canadian Press
