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“Author Paul Boge delicately weaves two parallel narratives to reveal the grim reality of human trafficking in Canada, which thrives in a political and social culture of ignorance and naïveté. Powerful and devastating, this book is a must-read for everyone who cares about the safety and well-being of our nation’s children and the systemic malevolent sickness that targets them.”
—Steve Bell, Singer-Songwriter & Author
“The powerful stories in this book shine a light on the very dark, insidious reality of human trafficking here in Canada. It could happen to anyone and presents a risk to all. This is not just a threat that happens somewhere else to children we will never know or see; this has spread to neighbourhoods in every corner of Canada. This is a clarion call to action and should inspire us all to be aware and to do all that we can to stop it.”
—Hon. Peter MacKay, Former Cabinet Minister, Partner at Baker & McKenzie LLP
“Thank you, Joy Smith, for giving Canada a reality check on the horrific crime of human trafficking. Your steadfast perseverance to give a voice to the voiceless and put a big spotlight on this crime has opened up the minds and hearts of Canadians to identify how they contribute to the problem and most importantly how they can become part of the solution. You have oftentimes stood alone in this hard fight for justice, and we will be forever grateful that because of you Canada is a safer place for women and girls!”
—Diane Redsky, Executive Director of MaMawi Wi Chi Itata Centre Inc., Project Director of the National Task Force on Human Trafficking of Women and Girls in Canada (2011 to 2015)
“The True Story of Canadian Human Trafficking seen through the eyes of survivors will be an educational tool for Canadians. We cannot get enough education and awareness on this poignant issue.”
—Scott Kolody, Assistant Commissioner, RCMP Manitoba
“This book unveils the horrendous crime of how predators lure innocent children into the sex trade. It is mandatory that everyone read this book to gain knowledge about how to protect their children from these predators.”
—Chief Ron Evans, Norway House Cree Nation
“Paul Boge has masterfully weaved together the story of Joy Smith’s relentless work to fight injustice with the grave reality faced by victims of sex trafficking every day in Canada. Prepare to be gripped by the horrors of modern-day slavery, the power of hope and the resilience of survivors. Every person who picks up this book will be impacted. Conviction, compassion and courage change lives.”
—Joel Oosterman, Former Chief of Staff to Joy Smith
“Joy Smith’s passion to eliminate human trafficking in Canada continues to inspire me. For years, I observed Joy accomplish more in legislation as a member of Parliament than most Parliamentarians ever could. Her belief that failure was not an option made all of her colleagues pay attention. I was, and still am, proud to have been there with Joy.”
—Joe Preston, Former Member of Parliament, Owner of Prestaurants Inc. and Living Alive Granola
“It was an honour to serve in Parliament with Joy Smith. She opened my eyes to the horror of human trafficking hidden in plain sight across Canada. Her work has saved lives, rescuing people from a life of degradation and loss of dignity. Her fight is our fight. Read this book and join the movement to stop human trafficking.”
—Elizabeth May, Member of Parliament for Saanich-Gulf Islands, Leader of the Green Party of Canada
The True Story of Canadian Human Trafficking
Copyright ©2018 Paul H. Boge
All rights reserved
Printed in Canada
ISBN 978-1-927355-95-4 Soft Cover
ISBN 978-1-927355-96-1 E-book
Published by: Castle Quay Books
Tel: (416) 573-3249
E-mail: [email protected] | www.castlequaybooks.com
Edited by Marina Hofman Willard
Cover design and book interior by Burst Impressions
Printed at Essence Publishing, Belleville
All rights reserved. This book or parts thereof may not be reproduced in any form without prior written permission of the publishers.
Library and Archives Canada Cataloguing in Publication
Boge, Paul H., 1973-, author
The true story of Canadian human trafficking / Paul H. Boge.
ISBN 978-1-927355-95-4 (softcover)
1. Human trafficking--Canada. 2. Human trafficking victims--
Canada. 3. Human trafficking victims--Canada--Biography.
4. Human trafficking--Law and legislation--Canada. I. Title.
HQ281.B63 2018 364.15’510971 C2018-900585-8
foreword
There are people you meet who change the course of your life. While that is rare, it is rarer still to meet people who, while changing your life, also change the course of world history.
My friend Joy Smith is one of those people to me.
She has a fire, a passion, and a vision to pursue what is right, true, good, and noble.
My eyes were first opened to the topic of human trafficking through the Dateline NBC documentary Children for Sale, first aired in 2004. Dateline went undercover and detailed a brothel raid to free child sex-trafficking victims in Cambodia. The raid was organized by the International Justice Mission (IJM) in co-operation with the Cambodian Ministry of Interior. The television special is still available online, and while the raid has been surrounded with controversy and criticism as to its efficacy, especially in relation to the well-being of the victims, it was arguably one of the most important international “tipping point” moments in raising public consciousness to this horrific crime.
In late 2004, my wife, Liz, and I were offered an opportunity to travel anywhere in the world to participate in Samaritan’s Purse’s “Operation Christmas Child” delivery program, a yearly event that reaches over 90 war-torn and impoverished nations around the world. Through OCC, children around the world receive a practical, free, unconditional gift. The gifts are packed, delivered, and sent with love to children of all ages who would otherwise never have an opportunity to receive such a gesture of hope. Having been impacted greatly by the Dateline special and wanting to learn more about human trafficking and how we could be a part of solving the problem, we immediately requested southeast Asia. The next OCC trip available to us was delivering to Cambodia.
Cambodia changed our lives. Its people, food, and natural beauty are all incredibly compelling. Early historical accounts show Cambodia as a potential crown jewel of Asia.
