Canada: Organized Crime Threaten Immigration Minister

by Barry Artiste | April 24, 2008 at 08:35 am | 563 views | 12 comments

Opinion
Barry Artiste, Now Public Contributor
Immigration Minister, Diane Finley is under RCMP Protection following veiled threats to her safety over the governments anti stripping legislation, though Criminal Organizations call them Dancers. Threats believed coming from Eastern European Criminal Organizations based here in Canada.

Canada, under threat from those who make a good living in the lucrative trade in human trafficking of women the world over do not think twice in holding this country hostage.

Canada being a country of laws meant to protect the innocent seems a justice of contradiction, as those caught in human trafficking get relatively light jail sentences if any, or rarely deported.

For example one case of thousands of cases across Canada and in particular one case in mind in British Columbia, whereby in 2006 a slew of massage parlour owners recruited (bought) a bevy of 78 ladies from China to work as Prostitutes, unbeknownst to these ladies seeking a honest days work upon arriving in Canada were immediately put to work to sate the desires of a paying public.

The area Police forces acting on a tip led to the arrest of 108 people involved charged with human trafficking of 78 women for prostitution just in the Tri City area. The next day after the raid, the 18 massage parlours involved in the raid were open and back in business.

Outraged police forces certainly were disheartened at a Justice System, clearly not working.

It is believed only one person went to trial after 2 years on bail.

All or the majority of the Women trafficked into Canada were immediately deported from Canada.

The accused criminals involved in the trafficking were not deported. Thereby no incentive to prevent these criminals from immediately going back into the business of trafficking of women.

Clearly Canada has to send a STRONG MESSAGE to Criminal Elements, take off the Gloves, do away with endless appeals, bail conditions, human rights, implement immediate Life in Prison with no parole or immediate deportation after a 20 year jail term served at Hard Labour upon conviction, no TV, Mail, Internet, special holiday meals, room and board, exercise rooms, conjugal visits, magazines, university education classes and other luxuries even ordinary Canadians do not enjoy, but Prisoners enjoy at Taxpayer expense.

Because let's face it, Criminals do not give it a second thought on Human Rights to these women, and threaten Canada with death threats, so fair is fair in my book.

Canadians have to get involved and give their Ruling Government a clear mandate to do what is right, free from interference from other political parties who do not see the Big Picture. All Political parties say Human Trafficking is a problem, but the Crime Bill to stop this and other crimes are stonewalled by those who for political reasons in the Senate enjoy sending Crime Bill legislation back and forth in an endless rereading sessions back to Parliament instead of "fish and cut bait".

Until strong legislation with serious time for serious crimes, death threats such one made to the Immigration Minister will continue, and if Criminal Elements can threaten a Minister, certainly shows their disregard for human life, so our Government should act in kind.

Below are a minute few story links on other human trafficking for Prostitution. Googling Canada-Human Trafficking-Prostitution will give you an unlimited resource on stories similar to this story.

http://www.canada.com/vancouversun/news/story.html?id=1825d66c-3605-49e0-ba3c-7cf9a22a4f6f&k=5262
http://www.ctv.ca/servlet/ArticleNews/story/CTVNews/20061209/massage_folo_061209?s_name=&no_ads=
http://www.cbc.ca/canada/story/2003/11/06/prositution031106.html
http://www.cisc.gc.ca/annual_reports/annual_report2004/asian_2004_e.htm
http://www.thestar.com/comment/columnists/article/153970

http://www.canada.com/vancouversun/news/story.html?id=1825d66c-3605-49e0-ba3c-7cf9a22a4f6f&k=5262http://www.ctv.ca/servlet/ArticleNews/story/CTVNews/20061209/massage_folo_061209?s_name=&no_ads=http://www.cbc.ca/canada/story/2003/11/06/prositution031106.htmlhttp://www.cisc.gc.ca/annual_reports/annual_report2004/asian_2004_e.htmhttp://www.thestar.com/comment/columnists/article/153970

Strip threat laid bare

Immigration minister targeted over law keeping out dancers

By TERRY PEDWELL, THE CANADIAN PRESS

Security has been tightened around Immigration Minister Diane Finley following threats related to Conservative efforts to keep foreign strippers out of Canada.

Numerous threats, of an escalating nature, have been made against the minister in recent weeks, several sources told The Canadian Press.

The exact nature of the threats was not revealed, but sources say they are directly linked to Bill C-17, the government's anti-stripper legislation, and hinted at an organized crime connection.

"It has to be specific enough for RCMP, in terms of their threat assessments, to raise the level of security, which has happened," said one high-level government source, who asked not to be identified. "They are constantly reassessing (the threat level)."

Another source close to the minister said security "started increasing about six to eight weeks ago -- and it hasn't gone down."

The RCMP refused comment.

"We're not in a position to discuss whether there may or may not be protection on anyone," said RCMP spokesman Cpl. Jean Hainey. "This is not something that we discuss, for obvious reasons."

Finley introduced the anti-stripper legislation early last year -- it was re-introduced in the fall -- as a measure she said would crack down on sexual exploitation and human trafficking.Bill C-17, once passed, would authorize immigration officers to assess the risk of exploitation and refuse entry to temporary workers, in particular those identified as exotic dancers.

Organized criminals have been known in the past to threaten civil servants over regulations involving strip club workers.

In the mid-1990s, intimidation in the adult entertainment business led Human Resources Development Canada to set up a fast-track program for foreign exotic dancers, said former HRDC minister Joe Volpe.

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Rob Walker

at 08:54 on April 24th, 2008

good stuff:

Barry Artiste, I like this story. It's good stuff.

People don't think this can happen here and it gets swept under the rug. The reality is it happens all across the country, all the time.

I met a very cute girl from eastern europe a few years ago in Calgary. She was nice, though kind of quiet. I used to chat with her on my lunch break as she worked at the convenience store across from my job. One day I was warned away by a couple of large russian/ukrainian gentlemen, that she was 'busy' and couldn't talk to me again...ever.

Turns out she was brought over and 'sold' essentially to this store...luckily she was like a 3rd or 4th cousin to one of the mafia type guys and got to work in a store to pay off her debt, otherwise she would have been on the street, selling her body.

I wonder whatever happened to that poor girl.

Barry Artiste

at 09:05 on April 24th, 2008

Thanks Rob for the commentary, I have first hand knowledge in this area, having worked for a time in the Ministers CCRA HQ and lived and worked briefly in Moscow, Russia. I have met many women who were propositioned in Moscow to travel and work to other parts of Europe and North America, recruiters looking to fill jobs from Nannys, Waitresses, Dancers, Travel agents, Flight attenedants, Translators, Store clerks, you name it. Eastern Europe Newspapers are full of these advertisements. Walk the Tourist areas and beaches of Greece and Turkey and it is plain to see women as young as 16 from Eastern Europe plying their trade along the beaches in thong bikinis frequenting the Tourist areas looking for a Date. Their pimps resplendent in Gold Chains and looking like Borat in a thong (I kid you not) are only a stones throw away watching their every move.

politisite

at 12:29 on April 24th, 2008

good stuff:

Barry Artiste, I wonder at times when I go to a large Chinese Resturant, "are these girls free". Many who wish to come to America pay to get here, then are paid less than a minimum wage, owing 25K with interest. Basically endentured servatude for 10-15 years. America?! I beleive in open immigration through legal means, we have 25 Million illgals here and most of the attention is on people of hispanic descent. Asians and Russian woman are here illgally as well and are part of networks like you have mentioned, Prostitution, Dancing, live-ins, etc.

Seems like someone in Canada who is doing something about it is at life risk. gives us an idea of how lucrative these business must be. I am hopeful both America and Canada can get these thugs who traffic humans out. Thank You for your story/opinion great work as always

Barry Artiste

at 18:03 on April 24th, 2008

Thanks Politisite, it is just not a chinese thing, it is a Russian, East indian and pretty much anywhere where crushing poverty and a chance to escape offer opportunity for those who take advantage of those who wish to escape it. In 2002 in Vancouver had an East Indian woman hired for a well to do family to perform domestic chores, cooking , cleaning and looking after the kids, this woman was paid little for her 24/7 services around the clock, she had no benefits, and any money she made was pennies to the dollar, when her story broke in the media it was also learned that if she complained she would be shipped back to India. The story did break, and she told her side, the family were forced to pay her back wages, I believe her claim to stay in Canada was rejected and she was deported. Yet during this time the Liberal Government of the day was bringing in Eastern European Dancers by the busload, knowing full well what the intended purpose was, I mean how could you not know. Yet this East Indian woman who worked her ass off I am told was deported, certainly no justice in speaking up. Pretty much tells those who complain to put up and shut up. Guess it depends whats worse your old country or the new country, still slavery, but in nicer Canadian surroundings I suppose.

Phil Skipper

at 13:39 on April 24th, 2008

good stuff:

Barry Artiste, I like this story. It's good stuff.

Barry Artiste

at 18:04 on April 24th, 2008

Thanks Skip, and thanks for the GS Flag

mtippett

at 13:55 on April 24th, 2008

good stuff:

Thanks for posting this Barry. This is something that we should all be concerned about.

Barry Artiste

at 18:07 on April 24th, 2008

Thanks for dropping by MT, and thanks for the commentary, Canadians certainly have to wake up to this and other criminal elements who when things do not go their way, threats of death are their method. What I want to know, some of these criminals had criminal ties in their home country, yet still found their way into our country. Certainly makes you wonder who is doing the interview process in the Canadian Embassy.

eastvanray

at 18:37 on April 24th, 2008

good stuff:

Barry Artiste, I like this story. It's good stuff.

Am I reading this correctly? We let in all kinds of criminals and people from all walks of life, countries and backgrounds but we exclude strippers? Hardly seems fair. So does that mean that they can gain entry as long as they say they are employed in another sector? And once here I assume they are free, as are all citizens, to choose to be employed in any industry without reastiction as long as it is legal (which last time I was at the #5 it was).

So what does this toothless law actually achieve? I am with you in doing what we can to prevent our country from acting as an operating base for human trafficking. I just do not see how this law achieves that worthy goal. And besides I thought you were a free trader. This smacks of protectionism!

Barry Artiste

at 18:48 on April 24th, 2008

Your'e missing the point here EastVan, these criminal organizations are not bringing them for the sole purpose as Dancers but prostitutes, and the women they bring in, do not realise they are to be bought and sold to be used as prostitutes, just as the East Indians in my story last week, thought when they came to British Columbia to work as farm labourers they were going to be paid a living wage with decent housing, surprise, surprise they get here work 24/7, have to pay part of their below minumum wage salary back to the farmer as gratitude because he brought them over here. It is not protectionism, since no canadian would do this work, either berry picking or stripping, especially when back breaking work or prostitution is enforced on them for no more pay or health benefits.

That is the gist of this story, and I do thank you for your comments EastVan, it is good to get another perspective for our readers to know, this is a human abuse situation that needs to stop.

eastvanray

at 19:40 on April 24th, 2008

Yes Barry I understand and agree with you for the most part. My comments were directed toward this useless piece of legislation not at the intent. Blocking the immigration of "stippers" will not prevent a single incidence of human trafficking. I am pretty sure that most of them do not answer "exotic dancer" on the immigration applications anyway. They might as well pass legislation against drug dealers from immigrating and we can all rest assured that no more drug dealer will enter Canada. I dislike useless legislation intended to appease the masses but that does absolutely nothing to solve the problem.

In the words of another astute Barry (Barry Goldwater):

“I have little interest in streamlining government or in making it more efficient, for I mean to reduce its size. I do not undertake to promote welfare, for I propose to extend freedom. My aim is not to pass laws, but to repeal them. It is not to inaugurate new programs, but to cancel old ones that do violence to the Constitution or that have failed their purpose, or that impose on the people an unwarranted financial burden. I will not attempt to discover whether legislation is ``needed'' before I have first determined whether it is constitutionally permissible. And if I should later be attacked for neglecting my constituents "interests,'' I shall reply that I was informed that their main interest is liberty and that in that cause I am doing the very best I can.”